Petrolo
Petrolo is a well-known wine estate, situated in the “Chianti Colli Aretini” zone (Val d’Arno di Sopra), close to the Chianti Classico region, in between the towns of Sienna and Arezzo.
Since the 1940’s the estate has been run by the Bazzocchi-Sanjust family. The vineyards already excisted in the early 19th century. The estate owns 26 Ha of vineyards with the typical soil of pebbles, which is so common in the Chianti region.
Furthermore, the vineyards have a very sunny exposure and have an altitude up to 450 meters, so the grapes are able to reach an optimum maturity. Petrolo produces 7 different wines, including a very luscious and sweet “Vin Santo”.
Perhaps their most famous wine is the “Galatrona”, made from 100% Merlot grapes, awarded multiple times and the pride of Petrolo. The vineyard is located 300 metres above sea level and is rich in clay, slate and sandstone. The clay holds water well which is essential for the Merlot grapes in the hot summer months. The first release was in 1994 and the average annual production is 20.000 bottles. In 2017 James Suckling named Galatrona as the second-best wine of the year in his annual top 100 wines of the year.
Then there is the “Campo Lusso”, first released in 2004 and made from Cabernet Sauvignon which has been aged for 20 months in new French oak barrels. Very limited production of less than a thousend bottles. “Bòggina” is a wine that comes in three different varieties, including a white wine.
- “Bòggina A” is a wine, first released in 2011, which is made of 100% Sangiovese and vinified in large “terracotta amphorae”. Only 1500 bottles are produced every year.
- “Bòggina B” (from 2014) is a white wine solely made from Trebbiano grapes, aged on French barriques. Only 600 bottles (and magnums) are produced annually.
- “Bòggina C” is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes and aged for 16 – 18 months in French oak barrels. First year of production was 2006, although the vines were already planted in 1947. 10.000 bottles are produced every year.
“Bòggina”, “Campo Lusso” and “Galatrona” are the true “Grands Crus” of Petrolo. The “Sanpetrolo” wine is the rarest wine produced at the estate. A sort of “Vin Santo” or “Passito”., which ages up to 9 years in small oak barrels. Only 600 half bottles are made from 50% White Malvasia and 50% Trebbiano. All these wines are rated
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