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Two Days in Montalcino and Monte Amiata: A Journey Through Artisanal Producers and Tuscan Sangiovese
At the end of June, the Chronos Wine Cellar team set off from Lugano, in the heart of Ticino, Switzerland, for a two-day journey through Tuscany. This annual trip is a special opportunity to strengthen our relationships with artisanal producers in Montalcino and discover new wineries committed to quality, authenticity, and a contemporary expression of Tuscan wine, particularly Sangiovese.
This hands-on experience is more than just work: it’s a vital chance to meet producers in person, understand the nuances of each terroir, and consolidate our philosophy of artisanal selection for our clients across Switzerland, from Ticino to the wider Confederation.
From Ticino to Montalcino
We left Lugano at sunrise on Monday, with our first stop scheduled for lunchtime: Serendipity, the new gastronomic experience at Podere Le Ripi. Nestled among the vineyards of Castelnuovo dell’Abbate, it offers a spectacular view of Monte Amiata. The concept is immersive: enjoying Tuscan wine alongside local cuisine in a truly unique setting.
We were welcomed by Sebastian Nasello, director of Podere Le Ripi and co-owner of Bakkanali and Vineria Aperta. The latter isn’t a traditional winery, but a contemporary wine bar set up like a beach bar among the vineyards, featuring artisanal wines from Italy and around the world, a creative and original concept that reflects his vision.
Guests at lunch included producers we would meet again later at Bakkanali Estivi, sommeliers, journalists, and wine professionals from across Italy and other European countries.
At Serendipity, lunch was a genuine moment of sharing: we tasted Podere Le Ripi wines, some experimental cellar releases presented for the first time, and bottles everyone had brought. Despite the late-June heat, the convivial atmosphere made the experience all the more lively, encouraging conversation and comparisons across a diverse range of wines.
Exploring Monte Amiata and Its Artisanal Wines
In the afternoon, we headed toward Monte Amiata, reaching Seggiano, a village on the slopes of the extinct volcano and among the highest points in Tuscany. The landscape is breathtaking and plays a historical role as a “climatic shield” for Montalcino: the altitude and cool air currents protect the vineyards from harsh weather.
These features today are a major advantage for mountain viticulture. Here, Tuscan Sangiovese expresses more tension and freshness, producing subtler, contemporary interpretations. While these wines cannot carry the Montalcino DOC or DOCG designation, they are labeled IGT Toscana and still tell a deep story of their terroir. Many Montalcino producers are investing here to expand their offerings of high-quality artisanal wines.
This same vision inspired Ugo and Sebastian, owners of Bakkanali, who not only established their winery in Seggiano but also created the Bakkanali Estivi event to showcase and support the artisanal producers of this unique area.
Tasting and Meeting Tuscan Producers at Bakkanali Estivi
Arriving in Seggiano in the late afternoon, near the Bakkanali winery and event location, we took a short break at the hotel, complete with a refreshing swim in the pool. Then it was off to Bakkanali Estivi: a grand tasting set among the rolling Tuscan hills, featuring dozens of artisanal producers from across Italy.
Familiar faces, long-time collaborators, and new discoveries, all united by a pursuit of authenticity and a desire to connect. The spectacular sunset added magic to the evening, which carried on late into the night with tastings, conversations, and exchanges of ideas.
For us at Chronos, it was a precious opportunity not only to strengthen relationships and discover new Tuscan artisanal wines for our clients in Switzerland, from Ticino to Zurich and beyond, but also to reaffirm our selection philosophy: discover, understand, choose.
Heading to Chianti: The Next Stop on Our Journey
The next morning, it was an early wake-up (with a pool dive for the eager ones) before heading off again to Chianti. Our destination: Isola delle Falcole, where Emanuele Graetz awaited us.
But that story… we’ve already shared it here.