Fibbiano Ciliegiolo

The Wine

Crafted from an ancient, nearly extinct red grape of Tuscany, Ciliegiolo (say it fast - chee lee yay gee oh low) is gaining popularity in both Tuscany and Umbria. This wine is similar to (and related to) Sangiovese, but most wine lovers find it to be softer and more approachable, especially while young.

The vineyards at Fibbiano are replete with fossilised coral and sea shells, which is odd for a winery on a hilltop in Tuscany, some 1,000 feet above sea level. But if you walk the vineyard and look down at your feet, you see these seashells everywhere without even a meager hunt. They are here as a result of a geological/tectonic fold that brought an ancient seabed to the surface, burying the much younger layer deep below. Such a massive upheaval is cool to imagine, but not so cool if it happens while you're living there! 

The Winery

Nestled in the hills between Pisa and Volterra, Fibbiano has been founded with the clear intention to preserve the most classic native Tuscan varieties: Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino, SanForte, Colombana and Vermentino. Brothers Matteo and Nicola Cantoni farm 50 acres of vineyards practicing organic farming. Soils are rich in marine fossils and shells. All wines are made with native yeasts.