Sergio Zingarelli stands tall among Chianti Classico producers, not only are his Rocca delle Macìe wines renowned for their complex quality, but his passion and commitment to Chianti Classico runs deep, extending to the region as well as his own brand.  Running with his father’s dream, Sergio has spent the past 33 years refining and expanding the company’s winemaking prowess.  Rocca delle Macìe has blossomed under Sergio’s watchful eye, reaching a new pinnacle of excellence in the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione.

Aerial view of Rocca delle Macìe complex in Castellina-in-Chianti, Courtesy of Rocca delle Macìe

Italo Zingarelli (R) directing, Courtesy of Rocca delle Macìe

Sangiovese cluster, Courtesy of Rocca delle Macìe

Rocca vineyards, Courtesy of Rocca delle Macìe

Tenuta Fizzano vineyards and hospitality center, Courtesy of Rocca delle Macìe

Rocca delle Macìe has embraced the legacy of Chianti Classico from its very beginnings almost 50 years ago, a passion project of the late film producer Italo Zingarelli of “spaghetti Western” movie fame.  In 1973, Zingarelli parlayed his success with these series of wildly popular films, including the iconic “They Call Me Trinity”, into his dream of winemaking.  He was drawn to the historical hills of the Chianti Classico region, and after many trips, found the perfect site, although neglected, with only 5 of the 230 acres planted to vineyards.  Today’s winemaking empire consists of six vineyard estates over 1,250 acres, four in the Chianti Classico area, and two in the Maremma, along the western coast of Tuscany.  The original Le Macìe estate in Castellina-in-Chianti continues as the heart of Rocca delle Macìe, where its cellars and offices are located, and Sant’Alfonso, Fizzano and Le Tavolelle estates support the Sangiovese and hospitality dreams of the winery.  The Maremma estates of Campomaccione and Casamaria embody the ancient and modern ways of wine, offering different wines for the consumer, Vermentino, Chardonnay, a Sangiovese Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Super Tuscan Sangiovese-dominant red blends.

Rocca delle Macìe vineyards, Courtesy of Rocca delle Macìe

Sergio Zingarelli helps out with the Sangiovese harvest, Courtesy of Rocca delle Macìe

​When Sergio took over the reins of Rocca delle Macìe in 1989, his passion for Chianti led him to be very active within the Chianti Classico Consortium, rising to President twice and now its current Vice President.  But Sergio felt that Chianti Classico had more to offer, and in 2000, he decided to pursue a different incarnation of Chianti.  To do this, he replanted certain vineyards at the Le Macìe estate, with the goal of producing outstanding Sangiovese wines of Chianti Classico pedigree.  With the help of a vineyard consultant and soil analysis, the highest quality came into existence within the newly crowned Le Terrazze, their finest vineyard site.  This is the cradle of Rocca delle Macìe’s Gran Selezione, and the pinnacle of the Chianti Classico quality pyramid.  The quest for quality in Sergio Zingarelli's own words below.

Courtesy of Rocca delle Macìe

The ​Gran Selezione quality category came into being in 2014, as a way to further refine and elevate Chianti Classico.  With more extensive requirements, only estate fruit can be used, a minimum of 90% Sangiovese and no international varietals allowed in the blend, and higher minimum alcohol, extract and oak barrel aging, an additional 6 months above the Riserva category.  In addition, a tasting panel determines if the wines express the unique terroir of its estate, and if so judged, awards the wines the excellence of Gran Selezione.  Initially, there was some disagreement among producers for this new tier, but since its debut in 2014, almost 165 wineries are bottling a Gran Selezione, up from 24 at the beginning.  For Rocca delle Macìe, anticipating this new premium classification, they bottled the 2010 vintage under the new banner, and further delineated the terroir in 2011 between the Sergio Zingarelli and Tenuta Fizzano estate wines for their Gran Selezione wines.

Sergio Zingarelli shares the story of Rocca delle Macìe's Gran Selezione wines

Recently, Sergio Zingarelli came to Los Angeles, and shared this very special wine with writers at Jean-Georges Beverly Hills.  A very unique tasting, over nine consecutive vintages, revealed a stunning portrait of an elegant wine with great aging potential.  This vertical presentation kicked off with a glass of the Campo Maccione Vermentino 2021, a fabulous and fresh mineral wine with balanced acidity, floral and fruity.  Then the dance of Sangiovese began with the first course, a Market Vegetable “Greek” Salad, with Feta Cheese, Olives and Red Wine Vinaigrette, followed by a Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Cherry Mustard and Crunchy Potatoes entrée and Assorted Cheese Plate and Dried Fruit finale.

​As Sergio painted the broad strokes of its evolution, we swirled, smelled and savored this Sergio Zingarelli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG in all its glory.  The 2010 through 2013 vintages were a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino, but in 2014, bad weather impacted the Colorino crop, so there was none for the blend. Starting that year, the Gran Selezione is now 100% Sangiovese.  These are truly rare wines, only 6-10,000 bottles are produced annually.  A deep dive into the vintages, the 2011 and 2012 were warmer years but 2010 and 2013 are more important vintages, according to Sergio.  The 2016 is so elegant and balanced, and just ready to drink, the newer vintages need more time, with the 2018 very close to the potential exhibited by the 2016, 2013 and 2010.  You come away with a sense of awe, and for me, the 2010 Gran Selezione with its age and complexity, a beautiful nose and incredibly melded flavors, is an example of the very promising future for these wines.  And when choosing their favorite vintage, there was not much consensus among the tasters, everyone appreciated the different nuances of the different years.  Overall, these are intense wines, fruity and aromatic, with elegant flavors, a touch of spice, velvety tannins, and a long persistent finish, something that beckons you to linger and savor every drop.

From the mists of time, Chianti emerges as a titan, a classic in the world of wine.  Its rich history is still being written, by producers such as Sergio Zingarelli and Rocca delle Macìe, who continue to explore its profound being, and just what combination of factors makes it sing.  This is the allure of Chianti, so much more than just a wine, it’s a sense of place and time that envelops us in its fragrance and savory palate.  Rocca delle Macìe has come a long way in the past 50 years, and still continues to polish its Chianti Classico wines, excellence becoming its Holy Grail.