Why it matters
The producer
Barbara Widmer was still in school in 1996 when she instituted cover crop practices at Brancaia. She and her team installed a solar water heating system in 2000. Brancaia moved entirely to spontaneous fermentations in 2012, installed a greywater recycling system in 2013, and banned pesticides and herbicides in 2015.
The estate was founded in 1981 in Castellina in Chianti by the Swiss couple Bruno and Brigitte Widmer. It makes red, white, rosé and sparkling wine.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Castellina in Chianti is the place named in Brancaia's founding. The red range carries the Chianti Classico and Maremma Toscana appellations. Chianti Classico appears on Brancaia Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Brancaia Riserva and Brancaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. Maremma Toscana appears on Brancaia No 2.
Wines to know
The range in view
The Chianti Classico range includes Brancaia Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Brancaia Riserva and Brancaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. The 2020 Brancaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is 100% Sangiovese and certified organic. Brancaia Il Blu and Brancaia Tre are red wines, Brancaia No 2 is a Maremma Toscana red, and Brancaia Il Bianco is white. The portfolio also includes rosé.
Stella is a Spumante made by the Metodo Classico method. In this method, the second fermentation takes place in the bottle, creating the bubbles called perlage. Stella has a clear bouquet with subtle brioche and almond notes, and a filigree, pointed palate with fine perlage. The range moves from still red, white and rosé wines to sparkling Stella.