Poggio al Sole

Poggio al Sole is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico region between the towns of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa and Greve in Chianti. While historical archives from the nearby Badia a Passignano abbey record wine and olive oil production on this site as early as the 12th century, the modern history of the estate began in 1990. That year, Johannes and Kathrin Davaz moved from their native Switzerland, where their family had been producing wine in the Bündner Herrschaft since the early 1970s, to acquire the property. In 2019, their son Valentino and his wife Stephanie joined the operation, marking the second generation of the Davaz family to manage the Tuscan estate.

The estate encompasses 70 hectares of land, with approximately 27 hectares dedicated to vineyards. These vines are situated on slopes with south-east to south-west exposures at elevations ranging from 420 to 530 meters above sea level. The terroir is defined by galestro soil, which is rich in clay and large stones. Farming practices are strictly organic and vegan certified, emphasizing sustainability through initiatives like an on-site solar plant. Johannes Davaz employs a specific pruning method known as albarello modificato to optimize vine development. To maintain high quality, the winery limits yields to between 400 and 600 grams of grapes per square meter. In the cellar, winemaking involves controlled fermentation in stainless steel and aging in used oak barrels to ensure the wood does not overwhelm the fruit characteristics.

The producer is primarily recognized for its Sangiovese based wines, including a Chianti Classico Annata made from 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo. Its flagship wine, Casasilia, is a Gran Selezione crafted from 100% Sangiovese that has received significant attention from the international wine press. Poggio al Sole is also a pioneer in the production of Sangiovese Bianco, a white wine made by vinifying red Sangiovese grapes without skin contact. Other notable offerings include the IGT Seraselva, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and Trafiore, a varietal wine made from 100% Canaiolo. The estate maintains a reputation for combining Swiss precision with traditional Tuscan viticulture.