The grapes to produce the Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC Riserva Capezzana were dried on cane mats in a well-ventilated loft until February. After pressing, the must fermented very slowly in small chestnut and cherry casks for five years. The casks are known as ‘caratelli’ and vary between 50, 70, 100 and 200 litres in capacity. The must underwent successive fermentations and clarifications with natural changes in temperature. Final yields were very low, often only a quarter or a fifth of the original grape weight. After ageing in cask, the wine remained in bottle for a further three months before release.
The grapes for the Vin Santo are grown on various vineyards on the 104 hectare estate. These vineyards face east, are around 150-200 metres above sea level and have schistous-clay soils. Grapes are grown organically and the estate is now fully certified.
Capezzana, situated in the Carmignano zone to the west of Florence, is owned and run by the Contini Bonacossi family, the latest in a long line of owners. In fact, in the archives in Florence, they discovered a contract for the rent of vines and olive groves at Capezzana signed in 804 AD. Today, the responsibility for ensuring the continuation of such longevity lies with the fourth generation of the Contini Bonacossi family, with Beatrice looking after all marketing and communication aspects and her sister Benedetta in charge of winemaking. Franco Bernabei is their consultant winemaker, and his contribution and presence has given the wines additional focus and personality. The estate has 80 hectares of vineyard and 30,000 olive trees, all of which are farmed organically (the wines are certified organic from the 2015 vintage onwards).
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