Capannelle

The Capannelle Winery story predates the book and movie sensation “Under the Tuscan Sun,” but it’s no less compelling. In 1974, business executive Raffaele Rossetti traded his job in Rome (where he worked in laminated plastics, of all things) for a life in the Tuscan countryside. He bought and restored Capannelle, a 16th-century Tuscan farmhouse where he would create a pioneering boutique winery, and set about blending some of Chianti’s most coveted wines.

From the very first vintage (1975), Capannelle’s wines made a splash. As one of the first Tuscan winemakers to use stainless steel tanks, Rossetti’s innovative techniques drew many in the industry’s attention. His marketing plans were no less unique; among his first bottles were special editions with 18-carat gold and 925 silver labels made by a Florentine artisan. Those bottles were quickly snapped up by famed gourmands like Frank Sinatra and Alain Delon, who ensured Capannelle wines a place in Chianti Classico lore.

In 1997, American James Sherwood bought the Gaiole-based winery, although he kept the charismatic Rossetti on as a consultant. Since then, Capannelle has confirmed its position as an exclusive, state-of-the-art wine producer. The underground winery and cellars feature only the highest quality and most innovative winemaking technology. However, the facility’s stark modern style is in distinct contrast to the old-world charm and beauty of the winery building itself, which is pure Tuscan. The results of the old-meets-new approach are Capannelle’s effortlessly elegant yet pleasingly complex wines. Capannelle is a must on any Tuscany Wine Tour organized by Cellar Tours

Capannelle has also earned fame for its delectable Olive Oils, made with organically grown olives, and for its luxury boutique hotel, an exclusive five-room oasis overlooking gardens and vineyards.