Nittardi is a premium wine growing estate situated in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. The Nittardi Estate, on the boundary between the provinces of Siena and Florence, was originally a defensive tower, known as early as the 12th century by the name of “Nectar Dei“ (The Nectar of the God). In the 16th century the vast property belonged to Michelangelo Buonarroti who in 1549 wrote to his n
ephew Lionardo: “I’d prefer two casks of wine rather than eight shirts,” and on that occasion sent the Nittardi wine to Rome as a “genuine gift to the Pope”. As homage to Michelangelo, the art tradition of the winery is intensively cultivated. Every year a well-known artist paints the label as well as the wrapping paper used for a limited edition of Casanuova di Nittardi wine bottles. The collection, started in 1981, includes works by internationally renowned artists such as Corneille, Guenter Grass, Hundertwasser, Mitoraj, A.R. Over the centuries the property changed hands often until it was taken over in 1982 by Frankfurt publisher and art gallery owner Peter Femfert and his wife Stefania Canali, a historian from Venice. Stefania and Peter reconstructed Nittardi step by step. The vineyards were replanted and in 1992 the ancient vat-room was replaced by a modern cellar. A competent team of enthusiasts was set up, consisting of Carlo Ferrini, consultant enologist, Antonio Spurio, chief agronomist and Giorgio Conte, commercial director. In 1999 a splendid estate was purchased in Maremma, close to the coast in southern Tuscany. Until today 17 hectares had been planted with local and international grapes on this estate. This is where our red Super Tuscans come from which have already won several awards: Ad Astra and Nectar Dei. Today Nittardi produces six different wines:
Casanuova di Nittardi: An elegant and refined Chianti Classico. This wine is bottled with a classical label, while a limited edition is presented with an artist label and a special wrapping paper. The wine Casanuova (the new house) is named after the new house of Nittardi that is simply called Casanuova di Nittardi as it is only 500 years old. Nittardi Riserva Selezionata: The premium Chianti Classico of Nittardi is made with the best grapes from our vineyard Vigna Alta. It combines the best aspects of the terroir and philosophy of Nittardi with the enological knowledge of Carlo Ferrini. BEN: Is the youngest wine of Nittardi coming from Maremma made with the indigenous white grape variety Vermentino. BEN stands for Beniamino, a typical Italian name that is given to the youngest and most beloved son. Ad Astra: One of the two Super Tuscans from our vineyard in Maremma is made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah grapes. The name Ad Astra (“To the Stars”) comes from the Latin motto: Ad Astra per aspera that means “A rough road leads to the Stars”. Nectar Dei: The super-premium wine of Fattoria Nittardi was christened with the ancient name of Nittardi from 1183, and, following tradition, the first bottles of Nectar Dei are offered to Pope Benedict XVI.
