Named after the original founders of the estate, the Avignonesi family, the winery has undergone an exciting journey since it was first established. Acquired by Virginie Saverys in 2009, Avignonesi has grown in size and at the same time has become a leader in biodynamic viticulture in Italy. Since the acquisition and thanks to Virginie’s respect for the ecosystem, her staff and the final consumer, the winery has started producing and crafting organic wines that are truly authentic to their origins yet singular and unique. And in the best biodynamic approach our wines receive minimal intervention in the cellar! Sustainability also plays a big part in the everyday life at Avignonesi.

In Grandi Annate is only produced during the best vintages. The philosophy behind this wine is to highlight the best traits of Sangiovese from Tuscany. This wine is a keeper. Lay it down, wait and enjoy it later due to its fantastic ageing potential.

2016 VINTAGE
The balanced weather conditions of this vintage, characterised by the right amount of all the elements, enabled us to make powerful, yet elegant wines. A mild and relatively dry winter was overthrown by a cold and wet spring. Summer was warm and sunny which compensated for the wet and cold spring. A cold September with Nordic winds allowed for the grapes to reach perfect maturity.

TASTING NOTES
Grandi Annate 2016 amazes for its freshness and enveloping notes of wild strawberry and liquorice. On the palate it is rich and luxurious, with a creamy vanilla aftertaste. A real ambassador for its habitat, it brings balance and elegance to a slight acidic start.

VINIFICATION
HARVEST
The grapes were picked from the 28th to the 29th of September.

VINIFICATION
The must from each vineyard was vinified separately and fermented with the use of indigenous yeasts. Alcoholic fermentation and maceration on the skins lasted up to 40 days, depending on each vineyard lot.

AGEING
18 months of which 85% in large oak casks (botti) and 15% in oak barrels (500 ltr). 50% of the barrels were new and 50% were of 2nd passage. The wine was bottled in December 2018.

ALCOHOL AND TOTAL PRODUCTION
13.5% - 12,659 bottles.

VINEYARD
GRAPES
100% Sangiovese

SOIL TYPE
A marine sedimentation from the Pliocene (3-5 million years ago), that is permeated by a vein of deep, blue sodic clay. The soil is partly sandy and partly silty and calcareous, poor in organic matter and predominantly without skeleton except La Banditella, which has pebbles.

VINEYARD SPECIFICS
30% Le Badelle: planted in 2000; 340 metres / 1115 ft a.s.l.; north-east orientation;
cordon-trained; 5,880 vines / hectare (2,381 vines / acre).
30% Oceano: planted in 2001; 280 metres / 919 ft a.s.l.; east-west orientation;
bush-trained; 5,128 vines / hectare (2,076 vines / acre).
30% La Banditella: planted in 2002; 310 metres / 1,017 ft a.s.l.; northern orientation;
cordon-trained; 4,464 vines / hectare (1,807 vines / acre).
10% El Grasso: planted in 2004; 310 metres / 1,017 ft a.s.l.; south-west orientation;
cordon-trained; 4,464 vines / hectare (1,807 vines / acre).

The sediments you might find in this wine show that it is made of pure Sangiovese with minimal
intervention. The deposit is due to its high content of a natural antioxidant called quercetin,
which is perfectly safe. This is not a flaw, it is a characteristic of the pure Sangiovese.

Certified Organic. Certified Biodynamic. Certified ISO. Sustainable. Vegan.

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To read more: https://www.avignonesi.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Avignonesi-eco-progress-eng.pdf