Querciabella QUERCIABELLA BATAR 2020

Description

The name Querciabella is appropriate for this estate in Greve in Chianti, in the Tuscan hills, which is surrounded by a wood of these magnificent trees.

Wood which also has a protective function towards the Querciabella vineyards managed according to the principles of biodynamics. When steel magnate Giuseppe Castiglione bought the dilapidated Querciabella wine estate in Greve in 1974, there was only one hectare of vineyard in production. Giuseppe Castiglione set about restoring the property to bring it back to its former glory and gradually acquired other lands in Panzano, Radda and Gaiole. It was his intention to cultivate not only Sangiovese, but also the international grapes of his beloved Bordeaux and Burgundy wines. The estate is now 74 hectares and together with Sangiovese they have found a home here: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.

Sebastiano Castiglioni son of Giuseppe is now at the helm of the company and under his supervision Querciabella has become like one of the Italian agricultural companies.

Querciabella’s interpretation of biodynamic agriculture is very particular. Like many biodynamic winemakers, Castiglioni does not believe in the mystical aspects of the system, but, having studied the data on the effects of lunar forces on plant development, he is convinced that there is scientific proof of its effectiveness. He insists, however, that the dogmatic adherence of many practitioners to the strict principles of biodynamics does not take into account the needs of the terroir. In fact, Castiglioni points out, the method’s founder, Rudolf Steiner, actually said that its principles should always be adapted to local needs. Castiglioni and his winemaker Manfred tailor the techniques to specific sites within the Chianti and Maremma estates.

In a certain sense, Castiglioni goes further. Querciabella wines are entirely vegan – no animal products, including manure, are used in the process.

The vineyard from which Batàr comes has been cultivated organically since the first vintage of the wine, 1988. A complete conversion to biodynamic management dates back to 2000. The Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay grapes which are the basis of this myth among the Tuscan whites give life to an extremely complex wine that expresses itself at its best at least five years after the harvest.