The Wine Cellar

At the Antica Fattoria La Parrina the best Tuscan wines are part of the family. But it took 20 years of hard work and dedication: once the Maremma was defined as the "land of frogs" in Tuscany. People thought that the conditions weren’t right to make a high-quality wine. But Franca Spinola believed in the potential of La Parrina, and, with the help of skilled wine experts, since the ’90s she has revolutionised everything, from the choice of grape varieties - Sangiovese and Ansonica, Sauvignon, Trebbiano, Merlot, and Cabernet - to the heart and soul of the wine cellar, with modern steel vats and traditional oak barrels for the barriques.

Her focus was on organic. Ensuring that the decision to work hand in hand with nature and to use totally organic fertilisers and methods would be no obstacle to taste and quality, but rather enhance them, was another of Franca Spinola’s formidable brainwaves. Another battle won. The wines made at the Antica Fattoria La Parrina are strictly organic. 

Today, together with Sassicaia, "Parrina" is the only other exclusive D.O.C. attributed to a winemaker. Today, the view over the extraordinary expanse of vineyards that make their way up from the plain towards the Tuscan foothills is quite moving. Parrina D.O.C.’s geographical area actually stretches further than the boundaries of the estate into the entire surrounding area, with 50% of vineyards producing Tuscan whites and 50% Tuscan reds. This is another exceptional feat, given the propensity for reds in southern Tuscany, and proves that the effort put into creating a well-balanced range that adapts to the most diverse taste and culinary requirements has been worthwhile.

The journey from vineyard to bottle is an easy one to observe on a visit to these cellars in the Maremma. Because everything takes place within the confines of the Antica Fattoria. It is here that the Parrina D.O.C. range is made. The intense flavours of the whites are closely connected to the landscape of the Maremma: Vermentino, Vialetto, Poggio della Fata, Malva e Rosa, Ansonica DOC Costa dell’Argentario, each one with its own specificity that the cellar brings out using just the right vinification methods. The extraordinary structures of the reds, starting with Sangiovese, as well as Sangiovese Riserva, al Muraccio and al Radaia, all three in barriques, are perfect paired with rich food. And to round off, when it’s time for a meditation wine, Passito. All made in limited, numbered quantities by a Tuscan wine estate, and all the result of a real passion that uses all its know-how and hard work to satisfy the most sophisticated palates.