In 1981, Zurich natives Bruno and Brigitte Widmer acquired the Brancaia estate as a vacation property for their family. Located in Castellina in Tuscany's Chianti Classico region, the original 49 acres came with 10 acres of vineyards and an abandoned winery. With the help of the Mazzei family at Fonterutoli and Francesco Ricasoli at Castello di Brolio, the couple started making wine.
"We have a beautiful friendship with the Mazzei family," says daughter Barbara Widmer, who began making the wines in 1998 after studying winemaking and gaining valuable experience at a Swiss winery. "They helped us out with their knowledge, with their cellar facility. We lived in Zurich. We weren't winemakers and we were not at the spot. So we were able to produce the first quality wines with their help."
A successful advertising executive, Bruno had money to invest; Brigitte looked after the sales of the wines. The company quickly grew, and in 1988 the Widmers introduced a super Tuscan, Il Blu, to the range of wines.
A year later, the family purchased an additional 133 acres at Poppi, in Radda in Chianti, and between 1989 and 1995 replanted the vineyards. In 1998, Brancaia expanded into Maremma, buying nearly 203 acres. That same year, the new cellar at the Poppi estate was completed.
From the beginning, sustainability in the vineyards was the goal, and since 2019 the vineyards have been certified organic. New vines are planted from a selezione massale. In the cellar, fermentations have been from ambient yeasts since the 2012 harvest. Brancaia has grown to nearly 200 acres of vineyards, and the original team of three is now 32 employees, with nine different wines sold in 45 markets worldwide.
Denne historien er fra November 30, 2022-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 30, 2022-utgaven av Wine Spectator.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New Zealand's Success Story
From small beginnings, the country’s wines have ascended to global prominence
Wine Is Healthiest Choice for Drinkers
Decades of research has linked light to moderate drinking, especially of wine, to a range of health benefits.
In Pursuit of the Perfect Crust
“Dough is always the hardest challenge for any home chef,” explains chef and restaurateur Tony Gemignani. “But it’s the foundation of any great pizza.”
SEAVEY VINEYARD
In Napa’s Conn Valley, a family-run winery marches to its own drum
CALIFORNIA RHONES Show Their Range
RECENT VINTAGES DELIVER EXCELLENT REDS AND WHITES IN AN ARRAY OF STYLES
Tuscany Comes of Age
Anchored by the 2021 vintage, Tuscan reds set a new standard of quality
The Absolute Best Places to Eat and Drink in America
PROFILES OF THE 63 WINE SPECTATOR GRAND AWARD WINNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, AS THE PROGRAM MARKS ITS 44TH YEAR
Events- A Grand Tour for Wine Spectator- a perfect day with an evening of outstanding wines.
A young couple in shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission.
Big Wine Players Target Pinot Noir - Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they're looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Plenty of small winery owners are cashing out, either because they’re looking to retire or they see selling as the best way to keep their label growing
Restaurant Awards- Lazy Bear- Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it's so much more.
Lazy Bear bills itself as a modern American dinner party. But it’s so much more. This Mission District restaurant effortlessly strips away the formality of a multicourse dinner and replaces it with conviviality, nostalgia and curiosity. With reverence for time and place, Lazy Bear is an ode to California where guests dine in concert with the season and can explore diverse wines, including an impressive collection of older California vintages.
