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Selvapiana in Medieval times was one of the watch towers along the river Sieve built with the purpose to protect the city of Florence on the North-East border. During Renaissance the building was enlarged and transformed into a Villa as summer residence of noble Florentine families and of the bishops of Florence. In 1827 was acquired by Michele Giuntini, a successful banker and ancestor of Francesco Giuntini, the present owner and fifth generation to run the property from 1957 to 1997.

Francesco Giuntini has always believed in the value of the Rufina appellation and with obstinate passion has worked to increase the prestige of the area. He has been among the first Tuscan producer to make the Riserva wine only from Sangiovese grapes and to produce the flagship wine of Selvapiana from a single vineyard, Bucerchiale: the first vintage of the Chianti Rufina Riserva Vigneto Bucerchiale is 1979. In 1978 Francesco understanding the great capacities, hired the young Franco Bernabei as consultant enologist, nowadays one of the most well known Tuscan oenologist who still consults for Selvapiana.

Since 1997 Selvapiana is run by Francesco Giuntini’s adopted sons, Federico and Silvia, sons of the estate manager Franco Masseti, who worked with Francesco from 1953 to 1990. The property extend over a surface of 250 hectares of which 58 are planted with vines, 36 olive gardens and 140 wood, in the municipalities of Rufina, Pontassieve and Pelago.

The hills where the Rufina vineyards are located lye on the foothill of the Apennines, the chains of mountains that divides Tuscany from Emilia Romagna. The nearness to the mountains strongly influence the microclima of the area with cooler summer and great excursion of temperature between day and night. For this reason the grapes ripen slowly throughout all the summer season and reach a nice balance of all the aromatic compounds of the acin. The wines have fresh acidity, great finess and elegance, silky tannins and a long after taste.

PRESS RELEASES

2019 Chianti Rufina - 93 Points- James Suckling "Black cherry, crushed stone and citrus fruit on the nose. Aromatic and pleasing. Medium-bodied with vivid fruit and a fresh finish. Very typical Chianti Rufina with subtle, clean fruit and bright acidity. Drink now."

2017 Chianti Bucerchiale - KM - The Wine Bibble “Selvapiana makes a terrific basic Chianti, but the estate’s flagship wine from its top vineyard (Bucerchiale) is a wine you definitely should not miss. A really good sangiovese has the inexplicable ability to seem both taut and muscular, lean and rich, at the same time. That’s certainly true here; this wine is 100% sangiovese. But what makes Selvapiania’s “Bucerchiale” extra fascinating is its hint of delicious saltiness and noble bitterness. The merest hint of salty and bitter flavors amplify the flavors around them, so when you have this wine with a great pasta, it’s heavenly. Plus there are also waves of rose, red fruit, and mineraly/chalky notes.”

2016 Fornace - 96 Points - James Suckling "Blackcurrants, blackberries, violets and hints of dark chocolate on the nose. Full-bodied and rich with layers of fruit and ripe tannins. Flavorful finish. This is just a baby really, but shows really clean and beautiful fruit."

2016 Vigneto Erchi - 95 pts Vinous "A new wine in the range, the 2016 Chianti Rufina Vigneto Erchi is off the charts. The purest essence of Sangiovese emerges from a wine that combines power with translucent finesse. Bright acids and citrus accents perk up the red Sangiovese fruit. Initially a bit austere, the 2016 gains volume with time in the glass. The Erchi emerges from a relatively new parcel for the state planted with cuttings from Bucerchiale. Compared to that wine, the Erchi has a much more red-fruited profile and also appears to handle aging in French oak better. The 2016 is a stellar debut. Don't miss it."

2016 Vigneto Erchi - 95 Wine Enthusiast. "Perfumed and all about finesse, this focused red (the result of a long-term project) is the latest addition to the firm's stellar lineup. It opens with enticing aromas of fragrant purple flower, wild berry, truffle, baking spice and a whiff of crushed herb. Smooth and radiant, it delivers crushed cherry, raspberry compote, mint and star anise flavors set against taut polished tannins. Bright acidity lends balance and tension."