Brancaia

The winery Brancaia from Castellina in the heart of Chianti Classico blends seamlessly into the top tier of Tuscan wine production.

Brancaia – just a holiday home?

In 1981, the Swiss couple Brigitte and Bruno Widmer fell in love with the estate, and it did not take long before they decided to acquire the then abandoned property. Originally, it was intended only as a holiday home and the vineyard slopes were to be sold. But Brigitte and Bruno Widmer were infected by the passion for viticulture, threw their plans overboard and finally approached winemaking on a professional level. This decision was certainly very courageous, because at that time the reputation of the Chianti region was anything but stellar. Already in 1983, the Widmer couple succeeded in taking first place with their Chianti Classico in a large tasting. In the meantime, their wines repeatedly rank among the very best in tastings and are praised to the skies by critics from all over the world.

Expansion with concentrated expertise at the Brancaia winery

The rapid initial success was followed by a steady expansion of activities. Thus, in 1989 Brigitte and Bruno Widmer acquired the Poppi estate in Radda. And nine years later, another branch was established in the Maremma region. Since 1998, Barbara Cronenberg-Widmer has been shaping the style of the estates. She holds a degree in oenology and is the daughter of the owners. The experienced winemaker is advised by the outstanding oenologist Carlo Ferrini.

Gentle processing and soft character – Brancaia wines

The elegant growths, characterized by a soft and warm nature, are matured in two wine cellars built according to the most modern principles. The layout of the buildings and the technical equipment allow for high grape quality as well as careful and gentle processing. All wines are aged for at least twelve, at most 20 months in French barriques and tonneaux. Dominant wood notes are nevertheless not to be feared in Brancaia wines. Sangiovese continues to be of very high importance in the Casa Brancaia. It is dominant in the Chianti Classico Riserva, for example, but also plays a major role in “Il Blu” and in the entry-level wine “Il Tre”, which consists of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

And these are the grape varieties of the Brancaia winery:

• Sangiovese
• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Franc
• Nielluicio
• Prugnolo Gentille
• Brunello
• Viognier
• Petit Verdot