Cecchi Family Wines - 130th Anniversary: 14 April 2023.
2023 Cecchi Family Wines celebrates their 130th anniversary. The Cecchi family is synonymous with viticulture, both in Italy and worldwide - bringing out the best of the Chianti Classico since 1893. Truly a family business, Andrea and his brother Cesare represent the 4th generation of this winemaking legacy that started with their great-grandfather Luigi. Cecchi symbolizes tradition, innovation and quality wine. While they continually innovate and look forward, it is the experience of their family going back over a hundred years that stands them in good stead to produce authentic wines. They are pioneers across the entire region of Tuscany where Sangiovese comes into its own, and they have a rich knowledge of the terroir.
Cecchi Wines was founded in 1893 in Tuscany - Italy. After several years of experience as an assistant in the cellars of the most famous commercial vineyards in the area, Luigi Cecchi set up his own business as a wine taster and broker. From 1919 when his 3 sons were working in the company, Cecchi rapidly established their reputation in almost every region of Italy. In 1948, his son Luigi entered the company, due to his father's premature death, running the company on his own from 1953.
In the 1970s, Cecchi moved to ‘Castellina in Chianti’, an area which has traditionally produced Chianti Classico. Cecchi embodies Tuscan authenticity along with a diligent eye on innovation and sustainability, crafting wines that showcase a genuine expression of these family owned vineyards. Cecchi has four commercial vineyard / wineries located across Tuscany and Umbria: Villa Cerna in the Chianti Classico region, Castello di Montauto at San Gimignano, Val delle Rose near Grosseto, and Tenuta Alzatura at Montefalco, in Umbria. Since 2004, following the death of Luigi, his sons Cesare and Andrea have run the company with enthusiasm and passion. As the brothers repeatedly remind one and all - “Tradition doesn't mean old wines”. As Tuscany has modernized, the Cecchi family has adopted both respectful as well as long venturing winemaking reforms.
For two decades I have had the pleasure to visit all of their vineyards. And each time, the team who are an extension of the Cecchi family, make you feel so welcome, have included me in several exiting projects over the years. When you go through their wines - you can see that each has its own signature. The talented team working at Cecchi - *(like Miria Bracali their senior winemaker who joined in 1998), are determined to grow a dynamic and positive future.
*(The following wines are available in the local New Zealand market, plus ready to sip, savour and share).
Cecchi ‘Vernaccia di San Gimignano’ DOCG 2021
Grape Varietals: 90% Vernaccia & 10% Chardonnay
Growing Region: San Gimignano, Tuscany - Italy
Senior Winemaker: Miria Bracali
5 Stars ★★★★★
Their vineyards are planted across the small valley from the stunning hill-top village of San Gimignano, and are some of the most picturesque you will find in Tuscany. Fermentation took place at around 15°C for approximately 2 weeks in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks to retain and express the natural fresh character in the fruit.
• This 2021 ‘Vernaccia di San Gimignano’ has an inviting citrus and delightful summer floral aroma. The vibrant palate is perfectly balanced with fleshly squeezed citrus juices along with a generous serving of crisp green apples flavours, a note of white almonds, along with its characteristic gently defined mineral seam and its natural kiss of vivacious fruit acidity. Resulting in a bright and lively dry white wine with an upbeat finish.
• Chill gently & serve between 8°- 9°C : 13% Alc. - Classic Dry Style : Cellar 18-24 months : *NZ$25.00
Cecchi ‘Storia di Famiglia’ Chianti Classico DOCG 2021
Grape Varietals: 90% Sangiovese & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Growing Region: Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany - Italy
Senior Winemaker: Miria Bracali
4 Stars ★★★★
The fruit for this wine was sourced from their own vineyards located in Castellina in Chianti, the area of Chianti Classico. The vines are planted some 305m above sea level, where the soil is poor, stony and calcareous. The carefully harvested grapes underwent a traditional fermentation and then aged in small oak barrels and barriques for around 12 months.
• This 2021 ‘Chianti Classico’ DOCG embraces local winemaking tradition and showcases the dynamic varietal characters and appeal of Sangiovese. On the nose your will find inviting aromas of dark cherries, plums and violet notes. On the medium weight palate you get to enjoy those ripe dark cherry flavours along with subtle cacao and spice nuances, balanced with smooth tannins and integrated oak and a classic dry finish.
• Soft decanting & serve between 16°- 17°C : 13.5% Alc. - Classic Dry Style : Cellar 3 - 4 years : *NZ$34.00
Cecchi ‘Vino Nobile di Montepulciano’ DOCG 2017
Grape Varietals: 90% Sangiovese, 10% blend of Canaiolo & Mammolo
Growing Region: Montepulciano, Tuscany - Italy
Senior Winemaker: Miria Bracali
4 Stars ★★★★
This wine has casual complexity and rustic charm, a pleasure to enjoy now or with a little more age. The team at Cecchi have a relatively low intervention with this wine during its 2-year ageing in oak barrels in their cellars. Developing a wine with personality, showcasing the unique site planted on the picture-postcard hilltop town of Montepulciano.
• Inviting aromas of dark cherries, red plums, violets and dried spices. the medium weighted palate, reveals layers of character and a fine earthy texture, with those wild cherry and plum flavours. Tannins and fruit acidity are controlled, nicely wrapping all these varietal nuances along with a note of mocha and vanilla spice from time in oak that has given structure, a nicely balanced wine with a natural rustic nature and a classic dry finish.
• Mild Decanting & serve between 17°- 18°C : 13.5% Alc. - Classic Dry Style : Cellar 4 - 5 years : *NZ$42.00
Cecchi ‘Riserva di Famiglia’ Chianti Classico DOCG 2017
Grape Varietals: 90% Sangiovese & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Growing Region: Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany - Italy
Senior Winemaker: Miria Bracali
4 Stars ★★★★
The fruit underwent a combination of traditional and modern vinification. Fermentation was held near to 26°C and maceration took approximately 2 weeks, until it was time to be transferred into a mix of oak barriques, where is developed for around 18 months. After blending and bottling it was rested for a minimum of 3 months before release.
• An authentic palate showcasing dark cherries, wild red berries, mocha-chocolate, dried herbs, spices and nicely-infused oak. The wine is harmonious with well-balanced tannins and has retained its natural fruit acidity giving direction to its undercurrent of earthy nuances and giving a refined edge to the rustic and vivacious character of Sangiovese. Time has revealed a fine grain and texture, ideal for authentic dishes with a red wine sauce.
• Mild Decanting & serve between 17°- 18°C : 13.5% Alc. - Classic Dry Style : Cellar 6 - 7 years : *NZ$52.00
*(prices, vintages & availability will vary by outlet & country)
Recent Cecchi Wine Reviews:
