Avignonesi

   
Located in Toscano · Italy

The vineyards of Avignonesi are mainly set among the beautiful rolling hills in southeastern Tuscany, with some vineyard space also in neighbouring Cortona municipality.

The prestigious winery is currently been run by Virginie Saverys, originally from Belgium, who took over in 2009 after several years as a silent partner. In moving from consumer to producer, she started a large-scale refurbishment of the winery, turning her attention in particular to environmental concerns. This has involved a ban on synthetic biocides and commercial yeasts and other additives, as well as setting up an energy policy that has reduced the winery’s emissions significantly through eco-friendly packaging.

The majority of the vineyard is given over to the Sangiovese grapes that are synonymous with Tuscany’s wines, but there are other varieties planted too (mostly at the Cortona site). The land is divided into micro-plots, with the clay-rich soil often improved with the addition of sand or limestone. The fruits of each small plot are vinified separately before the final blend is determined; this artisanal attention to detail is rare even among small-scale producers, but it leads to excellent quality in the finished wines.

Chief winemaker Matteo Giustiniani uses biodynamic viticulture processes to make the most of the fruits. A gentle touch with the use of oak (particularly in the case of the Sangiovese grapes) results in fresh-tasting wines with an elegant profile and fruit aromas accompanied by a burst of vibrant acidity.