Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2016

The "Isole e Olena" winery was established in the 1950s when two neighboring estates, Isole and Olena, were purchased and merged by the aristocratic De Marchi family. The history of both estates spans hundreds of years. The earliest written mention of the village of Isole dates back to the 12th century when viticulture was just beginning in this region. After the purchase of the estates, the owners planted new vineyards and expanded the cellars. The "Isole e Olena" estate is located in the western part of the Chianti Classico region, north of the village of Castellina. 49 hectares of vineyards stretch at an altitude of 350-450 meters above sea level, mainly on rocky and clay-limestone soils. Old olive trees grow near the vineyards, from which the magnificent "Isole e Olena" olive oil is produced. Since 1976, the estate has been managed by Paolo De Marchi — an experienced winemaker of the fourth generation, knowledgeable in all technological processes and tricks. Paolo obtained his enology degree from the University of Turin and interned for six months in California, studying the development of winemaking culture there. In the early 1980s, he worked at the Experimental Enology Institute in Asti, Piedmont. De Marchi aimed to elevate the "Isole e Olena" winery to a high level and take a leading position in the winemaking of the Chianti region. Under Paolo`s guidance, the cellars were modernized, new vineyard plots were planted, and experiments were constantly conducted to select grape varieties and clones suitable for each terroir plot. Paolo is a leading expert on the Sangiovese variety, studying its characteristics for many years, currently advising colleagues worldwide and collaborating with enology faculties at universities in Italy, Germany, France, and California. Paolo constantly travels the world, tracking new technologies and approaches. Gradually reducing the percentage of white grapes in Chianti Classico wines, Paolo managed to produce a full-bodied wine with good aging potential instead of the traditionally light, young, and acidic Chianti. In 1980, during experiments with Sangiovese, the famous super Tuscan wine "Cepparello" was created, receiving top scores from critics. The winery also produces single-varietal wines from international grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay), grouped in the "Collezione De Marchi" series. "Isole e Olena" produces one of the best sweet dessert wines, "Vin Santo", using a rather complex traditional technology. In 2003, a new winery was built on the estate, perfect in technical and architectural terms. Today, Paolo De Marchi, with the help of his eldest son Luca, manages another estate and produces wines at the old family estate "Proprieta Sperino" in Piedmont.