As of 2012, both our vineyards and olive groves follow strict organic farming regulations. True to our own philosophy, the family at Terre di Melazzano lives, works, and enjoys the very same products we offer to the public.
Prono Vineyards
Occupying the hillside to the right of the winery, these vineyards cover 6 hectares of southwest facing land. Thanks to favorable pedo-climatic conditions Sangiovese, Merlot, and Colorino grapes thrive here and are blended into our most innovative sulphite-free Chianti Classico wine named Riscoperto
Montefioralle
As of 2015, we have 4 hectares of vineyards on the Montefioralle knoll, 2.5 hectares of which were renewed in 2016. The soil here is made up of primarily Galestro clay which we feel will give way vineyards that produce more complex, elegant wines that will age well. Our connection to this area led us to close cooperation with other viticulturists in Montefioralle.
There are clear Etruscan and Roman roots in the Chianti wine-producing traditions, but the first actual documents of the Chianti League date back to the 13th century when the area was identified for wine production.
The Chianti League was made up of a group of rural towns (Radda, Gaiole, and Castellina) and each one had its own statute to defend and govern the territory. The Black Rooster placed on a gold background is the trademark for the Chianti Classico Consortium and it protects the namesake wine.
The origin of this trademark is anchored to a historic rivalry between Siena and Florence over territorial borders. As the tale goes, the two cities decided to have a race to decide the boundary line between their lands. Each city chose a horseman and a rooster that would crow at dawn to start the race, each towards the other's territory, meeting at whatever point would then be drawn as the border.
The rooster chosen to crow in Siena was a well-fed, finely groomed white cock; while the Florentines chose a black rooster who was poorly kept and barely fed.
A few minutes before the break of dawn, the hungry black rooster crowed early in hopes of early breakfast perhaps, and the horseman from Florence started his gallop towards Siena. Needless to say, by the time the white rooster in Siena woke up and started to crow, the rival rider was already at the city walls and from that day on, the Chianti borderline was established at the doorstep of Siena and the black rooster became the official trademark. (CC)
