Founded in 1705, Melini is one of Tuscany’s most historic and prestigious wineries. For over three centuries, the estate has been synonymous with Chianti Classico, producing high-quality wines that blend tradition, innovation and a deep connection to the land.
A Legacy of Innovation in Chianti Classico
As early as 1860, Laborel Melini introduced the iconic fiasco strapeso, a packaging innovation that revolutionized wine transport and helped Chianti gain international acclaim. In 1969, Melini was the first winery to apply the concept of a single-vineyard selection, creating the first Chianti Classico Riserva made exclusively from one cru. Today, Melini cultivates vineyards and olive groves between Siena and Florence, in the historic estates of La Selvanella, Bonorli, and Massovecchio. The winery’s headquarters is in Gaggiano, Poggibonsi, while the historic cellar for Vernaccia production and barrel aging is located in San Gimignano.
La Selvanella: The Signature Cru
The La Selvanella estate covers 139 hectares of hillside between 400 and 600 meters above sea level. At its heart lies a 50-hectare single-block vineyard, entirely planted with Sangiovese, divided into 29 parcels, each with a traditional local name. It is here that the Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva La Selvanella 2020 is born—a pure Sangiovese made from massal selection of Sangiovese Grosso.
The estate vineyard is trained in guyot and spur cordon in one of the Chianti Classico’s most vocated areas: Radda in Chianti. The albarese soil, southwest exposure, and ideal microclimate contribute to making La Selvanella one of the denomination’s most distinguished crus.
Harvesting takes place manually in October, at a late stage. Vinification follows traditional methods with 20 days of maceration. After both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 30 months in large French oak casks.
In the glass, it shows a deep ruby color with garnet highlights. The nose reveals a broad, complex bouquet dominated by raspberry jam, with elegant notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and leather. On the palate, it is full-bodied, warm, and savory, with an elegant, lingering finish of underbrush and toasted almond.
A refined and profound Chianti Classico Riserva, ideal for aging, that expresses the full potential of hillside-grown Sangiovese.
Melini: An International Icon of Chianti Classico
Distributed across the globe, Melini is one of the historic Chianti Classico wineries that has managed to innovate while staying true to its roots. La Selvanella Riserva stands as the crown jewel of a portfolio that celebrates Tuscan terroir, varietal identity, and the age-worthy character of Sangiovese.
Tags: La Selvanella, Melini, Chianti Classico, Docg