Producing wine of the highest quality in harmony with nature is the declared goal of the Brancaia winery in Tuscany. Because values such as sustainability, respect and quality are a lived promise of the whole family here.Wine is like children. They are protected and cared for from the very first moment. In the case of wine, from the small plant that will later bear the precious grapes. You accompany them every single step of the way... in this case all the way to the bottle and even often to the wine drinker himself. And when asked which child is your favourite, you can't really favour any of them. "All our vineyards have the potential to go into our top wines" is therefore also the motto at the top Tuscan winery Brancaia. Retrospect: "My parents went on holiday to Tuscany in 1981, fell in love with the area, the people, of course the good food and the delicious wine.
So they looked for a holiday home - and bought the core vineyard of Brancaia, along with the vines," Barbara Widmer says about the beginnings. She, the Swiss, who actually wanted to become an architect, only to study oenology after all, and took over her parents' winery in 1998. "The decision to switch from the world of architecture to viticulture was a gradual process. I enjoyed my studies, but I increasingly doubted that I would enjoy implementing other people's ideas and bowing to their tastes, so to speak. Fortunately, it's different with wine," she laughs.
Brancaia's vines are on three estates, covering a total of 80 hectares of vines - half of which are in Chianti, the other in Maremma. In Chianti, the red grape variety Sangiovese dominates, closely followed by Merlot. But Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc are also grown here. In Maremma, on the other hand, Cabernet Sauvignon narrowly leads the vineyard table; Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc follow. "We have three different microclimates, each protected by the surrounding forests," says the oenologist and manager. What also unites these sites is the highest demand for quality. "Whether in Radda, Castellina or in the Maremma: our focus is always on obtaining the best, authentic grapes, in which typicality lives and sustainability is the basis."
So it is no wonder that organic certification was an important commitment for the entire family and the team of 35 people. "The more respect we show for nature, the healthier our vines and the higher the quality of our grapes. The fact that organic viticulture and uncompromising quality are one hundred percent compatible is one of the most important and beautiful discoveries for us." This respect for nature in the vineyard is continued in the cellar: "Here it is important to understand and accept the quality of each vineyard and not go beyond its potential."
First and foremost, Brancaia's wines should be "well balanced and make you want to have another glass". Even more important, however, is that they reflect where they come from: "Typicality of place is the be-all and end-all for us. Every Brancaia wine today is a reflection of the magical place where it was made." A prime example of this is Blu - the winery's vinophile trademark, born in 1988, which made Brancaia famous both for its iconic label and for the excellence of the product.
We invite you to taste this great winery and the 2022 Rosé at our German-speaking wein.plus:club online tasting 'Rosé Wines' in June 2023. Places available for wine professionals and private wine fans are very limited.
You can also order this wine from the online shops listed in wein.plus:find+buy.