Pacina La Cerretina 2022

Pacina is a ‘magic’ place! It’s a living farm with a diverse range of plants, flowers and animals. Pacina is located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, along the ancient road that connected Arezzo and Siena, in the Chianti region of the Colli Senesi.

Their vineyards are spread on a ‘plateau’ on the local ‘Tufo Senese’ soil (yellowish sands, with gravel inclusions and modest traces of clay), with fossilised shells popping up here and there. The plants have exposure to the sun from all directions, and there is always wind (that keeps them free of humidity and mould). They are lucky enough to have a site that doesn’t need anything and they are able to do less and less to the vines each year, allowing them to grow and live on their own without intervention. They have never used chemicals in their vineyards because the vines have never needed it, the soils have a ‘memory’ and the life and biodiversity from hundred’s of years ago is still here. It’s also the only way they know how to farm, Giovanna says. They tasted each plot on its own to produce wines that more represent the soil and microclimate, making distinction based on the age of the vines and so do multiple harvests even in the same vineyard to get the most homogenous grapes in the same tank. Since they began, wines have been made with no additions. Rarely they will add a tiny dose of SO2 if necessary during racking. Everything they do is done by hand. Wines are made without any additions and fermented with natural yeasts in old wooden barrels and concrete vat. The wines are delicate and floral but with great structure and strength. Bottled without clarification and filtering, and they leave the cellar only when they believe are ready.