Whilst finishing his Oenology degree in 2006, 24 year old Diego Finocchi took a loan to buy five hectares of precious, high-altitude vineyards from an old Raddese farmer. As a local he has toiled in vineyards since 14 years of age and is no stranger to the hardwork and dedication required. Neighbouring both Montevertine and Caparsa, his steep sites (l’erta) are farmed organically and are amongst the finest in Chianti Classico. The original vineyards were planted predominantly to Sangiovese in 1967, with an important percentage of native Canaiolo – traditionally used to balance Sangiovese’s astringency. Small parcels have been added since, notably the site of his Riserva vineyard ‘La Casina’. An essential element in the success of L’Erta di Radda is Diego’s wife, Elisa, a brilliant enologist with one of the region’s great palates (she is an olive oil judge, grading them for the appellation control). Their wines are simply exquisite, demonstrating the exceptional growing area of Radda and what the combination of skill, dedication and a lifetime in the vineyard can reveal. L’Erta di Radda represents some of the best value in Italian fine wine today.

L’Erta di Radda proudly places in Walter Speller’s (Jancis Robinson) who’s-who, Grand-Cru of Chianti classification, a wonderful shake up of the DOC that focuses on merit rather than terroir or the contrived, oaky prestige of ‘Gran Selezione’.

See HERE for Walter Speller’s insightful assessment of modern Chianti.