In June 2023 Rocca delle Macìe celebrated their winery’s 50th Anniversary. Winery principals have attended VanWineFest in the past as well as other Italian wine events here in Vancouver. I am looking forward to seeing them at VanWineFest 2024 and clinking a glass to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Here is some information by Rocca delle Macìe about their 50 years as well as a list of the wines that they will be pouring at the International Festival Tasting Room. Enjoy.
Rocca delle Macie Celebrates Its First 50 Years
Castellina in Chianti (SI), June 28, 2023 – The Zingarelli Family, at the helm of one of the wineries that have marked the evolution of Chianti Classico, celebrates half a century of life with important steps marking generational continuity between Present and Future: a new identity, new oenological and hospitality projects and a tribute to founder Italo Zingarelli, whose “dream” has fully come true as imagined back in 1973.
A journey of five decades that has gone through all the profound transformations of Chianti Classico and Sangiovese becoming a symbol of the high-quality identity of an entire territory.
This is how a new Brand Identity – was born, as a result of a painstaking team effort – curated by Officina Grafica – where the Zingarelli Family, has been perceived as a laboratory of ideas and as a system of values, becoming the “Brand” itself and an all-round expression of the soul of Rocca delle Macìe. “Famiglia Zingarelli” thus goes on to identify the prestigious crus produced on the individual estates that make up the winery, in the heart of Chianti Classico region.
Friday, June 23, the monograph published by Giunti entitled “ Clay, Stone, Air, Roots “ was presented, it traces the “saga” – almost a screenplay itself – of more than half a century of family and business history, including anecdotes, images, witnesses collected with great care and attention, over almost a year, from the pen of a young and passionate journalist and writer, Alessio Noe’.
An editorial tribute to his father – and grandfather – Italo Zingarelli, who, as in a long cinematic flashback – in an age increasingly fast-paced and linked to the impermanence of the digital – “fixes” a long track and reminds us that the times of the Earth and Nature, as well as the success building, can be slow and requires mutual respect.
In parallel, Sergio presented a new edition of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, once again thanks to the artistic hand of Florence-based Officina Grafica. A Limited Edition of 1973 Magnum, dedicated to all those who have played a part in growing Rocca delle Macìe. To those who still pour their passion and expertise into our projects today, sharing them and nurturing them as they would their own dreams.
“When our father, Italo, discovered this corner of Chianti Classico 50 years ago, it was true “love at first sight,” Sergio Zingarelli continues. “We really owe so much to him, thanks to the success he achieved in film productions he was able to acquire in 1973 the first 70 hectares and the Borgo – renamed since then “Rocca delle Macìe”- and to start the first productions of Chianti Classico.
“We were very excited to reconstruct the long tale that sets the stage for the story of our family, which took place in Rome first and then Tuscany, but ending up to embrace so much more,” says Sergio Zingarelli, President of Rocca delle Macie. “Cinema and the creation – thanks to my father – of the unprecedented Spaghetti Western genre, moods of a country coming out of the war, passion for Wine, travels all over the world, that strength and energy derived from sincere relationships. And we imagined how it could all unfold around an imaginary table, a place of friendship and sharing.
“If a publisher’s job is to give voice to worthy stories, the one about the Zingarelli family is particularly appealing“-said Marco Bolasco, Illustrated Books Director of Giunti Editore-“A long tale taking place in Rome and Tuscany, ending up to embrace much more through Wine and Earth. Four elements and many emotions are the fil rouge of a passionate tale intertwining cinema- the great cinema and the vineyard, with an inclusive strength that has few equals. This is also why, at Giunti, the story of Rocca delle Macìe fascinated us from the beginning, since we are Tuscan publishers with a strong calling for a general audience. The result is a beautiful book, with a strong visual impact but to be read from the first to the last page.“
This celebration also marks the beginning of the transition between Present and Future and the active presence of a new generation at Rocca delle Macie. “Today, I am particularly proud and excited that there is a new and bright generation with my son Andrea, in charge of Country and Cellar, my daughter Giulia more and more dedicated to the Hospitality area, and my nephew Fabio, valuable support in Management and Administration, and also in commitment to the Far East markets, developing our family wine project with a modern approach.”
So, a year to “keep in mind” if you want to discover the true Chianti essence of the Zingarelli Family, in the heart of the most beautiful Chianti Classico region.
The Wines We Will Feature at the International Festival Tasting Room
Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico DOCG Famiglia Zingarelli 2021 – The history of Rocca delle Macìe is, in actual fact, doubly intertwined with this Chianti Classico, which has evolved over the years both through the changes imposed upon it by updates to the regulations and through the enhancements made in the vineyards thanks to replanting operations, soil analysis and the clonal selection of Sangiovese. Today, we have arrived at a lively, ruby-red wine that expresses character, freshness and terroir, and is laden with aromas of cherry and violet.
Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG Famiglia Zingarelli 2020 – The flagship wine of the zone from which it comes, and the maximum expression of that zone’s particular features, the label proudly bears the Zingarelli name in order to highlight the strong link that the family has with the Chianti Classico area. It is the result of the selection of the best grapes from the four estates of Rocca delle Macìe in the area of Castellina in Chianti, the blend of the different Rocca delle Macìe “terroirs”. 90% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Colorino (from vintage 2015) grapes combine to create this ruby-red wine with its aroma of blackcurrant and marasca cherries, with notes of Peruvian pepper and sweet spices. Its equilibrium makes it a suitable accompaniment for a range of dishes, but it is also a great match for a good seasoned cheese.
Rocca delle Macìe Tenuta Sant’Alfonso Chianti Classico DOCG 2020 – Chianti Classico Tenuta Sant’Alfonso is one of the winery’s most well-established wines and one of the prestigious crus produced with 100% Sangiovese grapes cultivated exclusively on the Sant’Alfonso estate. Based on the studies and experiments conducted in the vineyard, it emerged that the most clay-rich and least gravelly soils of this estate, combined with the use of specific clones of Sangiovese, caused the grapes to develop and mature with a higher concentration of polyphenols and aromatic substances. The result is this opulent, juicy Chianti Classico, which is awash with fruity overtones of amarena cherries and blackberries, as well as spicy notes of licorice and coffee. It also boasts a well-balanced, pleasant structure on the palate.
Rocca delle Macìe Tenuta Fizzano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2020 – The vineyards from which the grapes of this Gran Selezione come entirely from Tenuta di Fizzano. After fermentation, the wine ages for about two years in 35 hl French oak barrels and a small part ages instead in 225 lt barriques for a few months. Further refinement of one year in bottle before release.
Rocca delle Macìe Roccato IGT Toscana 2020 – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Hand selection of grapes. Alcoholic fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel vats for 8-10 days plus 15 days of post-fermentative maceration. Malolactic fermentation In concrete vats. Ageing 18 months in French barriques from Allier region, 50% new, followed by at least 20 months in the bottle. The colour is deep ruby red with garnet reflections. The bouquet is rich and persistent, with hints of red berries and spices like cocoa, vanilla and coffee. At the taste is warm and well-balanced, with a consistent structure of tannins which support the long finish of the wine.
