Bed & Breakfast and Restaurant in Cortona, Toscana

DODO IGT Toscana

I have always believed that in order to be able to better judge somebody else's work it is necessary to experience that job first hand. Therefore, after spending 13 years introducing natural wines in my restaurant in Cortona, I decided that the moment had come for the production of a wine all of my own. Hence I planted my first acre (0.23 hectares) of vineyard in the small valley of Chio, at an altitude of 300 meters on a clay-sandstone mixed soil. Born and bred in Tuscany, I picked Sangiovese, thinking of giving this grape a little dignity, since in my area it is often overlooked in favor of the easiest grown, easiest sold international grape varieties. The training system is the traditional Mediterranean free-standing vine laid out in the shape of the seven-ounce Roman coin. In other words, the vines are planted at the apexes of an equilateral triangle which then forms a hexagon so that the land is utilized optimally and in order to force the roots to grow vertically and deep into the soil. The plants thus resist better to droughts and they naturally produce a lesser amount of grapes. The vines are heavily pruned and all the operations are carried out manually, also because of the short distance between the plants. The soil has never been fertilized nor has been touched by any systemic chemical substance.

In the cellar the grapes ferment thanks to the naturally occurring yeasts in a steel vat, and then rest in used small oak barrels for one year.

Dodo '08 is the exclusive and natural wine from my second harvest from which I was able to obtain 348 one liter bottles and some magnum. With the 2009 vintage the production slightly increased.

The result is intended to be the purest expression of the work of nature and of my passion. This is also the reason why the wine is dedicated to our son Tommaso, nicknamed “Dodo” and to Fabrizio de Andrè, a passion my wife and I also share.

In 2009 I planted another 2 acres of Sangiovese vineyards, on top of a hill completely composed of sandstone at an altitude of 360 meters above sea level. In this case the vines are leaning against a row for a density of 9000 plants. In 2011 we will have our first harvest.

For any info write to us at our email address.

GEMMA Extra Virgin Olive Oil Toscano

Surrounding our home we restored an old olive grove on step terraces for a total surface of about 2 acres. Thanks to the masterful and dedicated work of Nonno Mario we produce each year the olive oil we use in our restaurant. The oil is dedicated to Gemma, our daughter.