Among the hills of Chianti Classico, the Val di Picciola is rediscovered: an area devoted to viticulture and discovered by the Bolfo Family twenty-five years ago. Vallepicciola is the ideal wine tourism destination for those who enjoy traveling among vineyards, good wine and typical and unique flavors of Tuscany.
La Picciola Valley is home to the small village of Pievasciata in the town of Castelnuovo Berardenga, among the hills of Chianti Classico just 20 km from Siena. This specific central area of the Tuscany region has ancient origins: in fact, since the 16th century, it has been known to be naturally devoted to oil production and viticulture. Here we find
Vallepicciola
, among the most striking and representative wine and agricultural realities of the region with as many as 107 hectares of vineyards divided into 6 grape varieties and 4,000 olive trees for oil.
The Bolfo Family and the Val di Picciola
Discovering the viticultural potential of the Picciola Valley were siblings Bruno and Giuseppina Bolfo, when in 1999 they purchased an abandoned 17th-century convent and renovated it into the current five-star hotel The Fontanelle. Surrounding the property was available land of 3 hectares that became the starting point of the winemaking activity.
Five years later, the brothers bought and fixed up another ruin adjacent to the hotel arriving at 6 hectares under vine, which would allow Vallepicciola to start a small wine production Intended for sale only in hotels. Later, in 2007, an adjacent farm was purchased, bringing as a dowry about 60 hectares of mostly neglected vineyards surrounding the 17th-century
Villa Cerretani
, which belonged to the family of the same name.
In order to be able to manage production properly, the Bolfo family decided to entrust architect Margherita Gozzi with the construction of the winery, which became an exemplary project of organic architecture with a harmonious relationship with the surrounding nature. In 2017 another 40 hectares were added to the property. Perfect soil for growing Sangiovese, at the highest and most scenic point among the Chianti Classico hills.
The turning point with Alessandro Cellai and wine tourism
From 2020 Alessandro Cellai, oenologist and general manager, has contributed to Vallepicciola’s success thanks to his way of conceiving wine, working hard to give life to wines that tell the story of the terroir, the grape variety and the soul of those who produce it; the three cornerstones of the philosophy of his great master Giacomo Tachis.
At the same time, the following was inaugurated the Vallepicciola Winery and developed the Wine Hospitality with the Wine Shop, a food-wine tasting program, and experiential wine tours such as the jeep tour of the vineyards. 
Today, Vallepicciola is a large and modern winery of about 6,000 m2, 2 basement floors where all stages of winemaking are located, 1 outdoor floor dedicated to hospitality.
Annual production is currently 500,000 bottles, with wines awarded by the most important national and international wine guides; in particular the Grands Crus, three wines maximum expression of a territory rich in history and passion for wine – Vallepicciola Igt Toscana Bianco (Chardonnay 100%), Vallepicciola Igt Toscana Rosso (Sangiovese 100%), Migliorè Igt Toscana Rosso (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot).
