Tasting and Winery Tour at Fattoria di Rignana, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, with Owner/ Winemaker Cosimo Gericke - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

From June 16 to July 3, 2025, Annette and I spent time in wine country Italy, by car.

For an overview of the whole trip, go here: Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025 

Third Stop: Chianti Classico (Tuscany)

From Bolgheri we drove to Chianti Classico and stayed 3 nights at Fattoria e Villa di Rignana. 

On the arrival day, we went to the pool and had dinner at La Cantinetta di Rignana. 

On the second day, we visited Greve and several Chianti Classico estates. The day ended with dinner again at La Cantinetta di Rignana.

On the third day, we started with an extensive winery visit at our hotel, at Fattoria di Rignana, with owner and winemaker Cosimo Gericke, followed by visits of more wineries in the Chianti Classico region. For dinner, as La Cantinetta di Rignana was closed on that day, we went to Locanda di Poggio al Sole, the restaurant of the Poggio al Sole winery, near Fattoria et Villa di Rignana. 

Fattoria di Rignana 

The visit of Fattoria di Rignana, with owner and winemaker Cosimo Gericke (a good friend of my cousins Matthias and Dagmar Ehrlich), was comprised of a formal tasting and  cellar tour. 

Fattoria di Rignana (GoogleAI based) 

Fattoria di Rignana is situated on the north-western edge of Panzano in Chianti, Tuscany. It is located in a breathtaking location, surrounded by approximately 120 hectares of vineyards, gardens, and olive groves. 

The Story of Fattoria di Rignana

 

The estate, initially mentioned in the 11th century, began cultivating vines in the 1700s. The Gericke family acquired the estate in 1965. Cosimo's father, drawn by a desire for rural life and a vineyard, purchased Rignana during a period of transition in Tuscan agriculture. Cosimo took over the management in 1999, continuing the family's legacy with dedication and passion. Cosimo's family background includes German heritage, making him fluent in both Italian and German, a benefit for the many visitors to the winery.

 

Vineyards

 

Location & Soil: The vineyards are nestled at an altitude of 300 to 400 meters above sea level. The soil is stony, calcareous, and clayey, locally known as Galestro, a famous type of rock found in Chianti. The vineyards are strategically positioned with a southeast-southwest aspect.

 

Grape Varietals: Approximately 14 hectares are dedicated to vineyards. The primary grape grown is Sangiovese, accounting for 70-75% of the total. Other grape varieties include Canaiolo, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.

 

Organic Farming: Fattoria di Rignana is committed to organic farming practices, certified since 2014. This commitment focuses on working with natural resources and adhering to traditional methods, while carefully tending to the vineyards. 

 

Wine Portfolio 

Fattoria die Rignana offers a range of wines, primarily focused on the Chianti Classico appellation, which is made from a blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes. Their flagship wines include: 

 

Chianti Classico DOCG: This wine is typically made with 85% Sangiovese and 15% Canaiolo. 

 

Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG: This wine is also predominantly Sangiovese with a smaller percentage of Canaiolo. It is aged for at least 24 months, with a minimum of 3 months in the bottle. 

 

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG: The top tier of Chianti Classico, this is made from 100% Sangiovese from a single vineyard and aged for 30 months. 

 

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione: Introduced in 2013, this represents the highest quality tier in Chianti Classico. It must be made exclusively from estate-grown Sangiovese grapes and aged for at least 30 months. The grapes for this specific wine come from the "Le Villane" Cru vineyard. 

 

"Il Riccio": Originally a single-varietal Merlot, it is now a single-varietal Cabernet Franc since the 2016 vintage. The name "Riccio" translates to hedgehog, a symbol adopted as the winery's logo and wine label star.

 

Summer Wines: They also produce a pure Canaiolo, a fruity Rosato, and a Sangiovese Bianco (white Sangiovese).

 

Beyond Wine: Fattoria di Rignana also produces a well-regarded extra virgin olive oil.

 

Fattoria di Rignana in Chianti Classico

 

Tasting

 

Cellar

 

 

3 Days at Fattoria e Villa di Rignana in the Chianti Classico Region (Tuscany) 

 

See: 3 Days at Fattoria e Villa di Rignana in the Chianti Classico Region (Tuscany) - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025

 

From June 16 to July 3, 2025, Annette and I spent time in wine country Italy, by car.

 

For an overview, go to:  Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025

 

 

Postings

Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025  

Lake Como 

At Villa Almana in Cernobbio at Lake Como - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025 

Bolgheri 

Dinner at La Tana del Pirata in Marina di Castagneto Carducci, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Winery Tour and Tasting at Tenuta Argentiera, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Florentine Steak - Dario Cecchini Selection - for Lunch at Osteria Magona in Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Running into Marco Balsimelli, Production Director, Ornellaia and Masseto, at Osteria Magona, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at La Macchiole, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Visiting Vigna Lodovico and Tasting Lodovico Antinori's Cult Wines Lodovico and Il Nicchio with his Assistant at Locanda dell' Aioncino - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025 

Dinner at Locanda dell' Aioncino, Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Tasting the Wines of Tenuta di Biserno and Staying at Relais di Biserno, Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia): Barrel Cellar Tour and Tasting - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Bistecca alla Fiorentina for Lunch at Osteria Enoteca San Guido (Sassicaia), Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Ornellaia, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Dinner at La Pineta, with Chef/ Co-owner Daniele Zazzeri, a Michelin Starred Seafood Restaurant, at Marina die Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025 

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Grattamacco, a Benchmark Producer in Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Lunch at La Tana del Pirata in Marina di Castagneto Carducci/ Bolgheri/ Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

 

Bolgheri Turning into an Open Air Restaurant - "Cena in Strada" Dinner 2025: Al Fresco Dinner in the Streets of Bolgheri, Tuscany, with Hundreds of other Wine Lovers - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

 

Chianti Classico 

 

3 Days at Fattoria e Villa di Rignana in the Chianti Classico Region (Tuscany) - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

 

Dinner at Cantinetta di Rignana on a Large Terrace with Breathtaking Views of the Chianti Hills - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025