Isole e Olena, Vin Santo

Isole e Olena’s vineyards, like those of Giovanni Manetti at Fontodi, are superbly tended. More than anything, this yields wines of the quality that have kept both these Chianti wineries ahead of the chasing pack for the past three decades.

The name ‘Isole e Olena’ came about in the 1950s when two adjoining estates, ‘Isole’ and ‘Olena’, were purchased by the De Marchi family and combined to form one. The history of both dates back hundreds of years, with the earliest documentation of the village of Olena in the 12th century. In 2022 Isole e Olena was purchased by Christopher Descours, the owner of Charles Heidsieck, Piper-Heidsieck, Rare Champagne, Château la Verrerie and Biondi-Santi. Christopher and the new estate director Emanuele Reolon have a clear vision to build on Paolo De Marchi’s exceptional results, with a restless quest for quality and excellence.

Isole e Olena is in the western part of Chianti Classico, just north of the village of Castellina. Its 45 hectares of vineyard are planted between 350 – 450 metres above sea level, primarily on galestro soil (a kind of rocky, schistous clay). Because the western flank of Chianti is open to breezes from the sea, this is a much cooler part of the zone, resulting in lighter but more scented and elegant wines than many others.

The ‘Cepparello’ is made solely from Sangiovese. It is fragrant with great elegance and balance. The Chianti, a blend of 90% Sangiovese supplemented by Canaiolo, is scented and alluring. The barrel-fermented Chardonnay is outstanding, one of Italy’s best examples of this variety, boasting rich toasted almonds and butter aromas. The Vin Santo, aged for eight years in small barrels called ‘caratelli’, is also among the finest currently produced.