La Selvanella: A Storied Vineyard Rooted in Elegance and Precision

With over five decades of history, La Selvanella continues to define the elegance of Radda’s terroir through site-specific winemaking, precision farming, and a steadfast commitment to tradition.

Elevation and history converge in the hills of Radda in Chianti where La Selvanella stands as a beacon of tradition and terroir. It was here, in 1969, that the first single-vineyard Chianti Classico was born—a revolutionary step that continues to shape the estate’s winemaking philosophy.

“La Selvanella’s legacy instills a deep sense of responsibility,” Estate Manager Alessandro Zanette said. “We focus on minimal intervention to let the vineyard speak.”

That vineyard, planted exclusively with Sangiovese Grosso, delivers wines with impressive structure and aging potential. Larger berries and thicker skins from this clone, combined with Radda’s high altitude and cooler temperatures, produce wines marked by vibrant acidity and refined tannins.

The La Selvanella Chianti Classico 2020 ($39) had aromas of cherry, pine needles and hints of tobacco with tart cherry flavors and a ringing acidity. It fits the winery's signature perfectly; wines with phenolic depth and elegant structure. That finesse is also drawn from the vineyard’s alberese and weathered sandstone soils, which impart minerality, promote drainage and support deep-rooted vines.

“Alberese, a calcareous marl, imparts minerality and firmness to the wine, contributing to its structural backbone,” Zanette said. “Weathered sandstone enhances drainage, promoting deep root systems and resulting in concentrated flavors. Together, these soils yield wines with a distinctive combination of power and grace, marked by refined tannins, vibrant acidity, and complex aromatic profiles.”