Principe Corsini

South of Florence, in the hills of San Casciano Val di Pesa, lies Villa Le Corti, the residence of Principe Corsini, one of the oldest wine-producing estates in the Chianti Classico region. This land has belonged to the Corsini family since 1363, making this estate one of the oldest family-run wine estates in Tuscany.

History

The history of the Le Corti estate started in 1363, when the Corsini family bought estates with vineyards, olive groves, an oil mill and a house in San Casciano. The family’s choice was determined by the quality of the land and its perfect location near Florence. In the early 17th century, Bartolomeo Corsini commissioned the artist and architect Santi di Tito to design Villa Le Corti and its cellars, which are situated on three levels beneath the villa and are still in use today. The villa and cellars are designated as national monuments.

The Corsini family has nine centuries of documented history in Tuscany; its ancestors include Pope Clement XII and Saint Andrea Corsini, Bishop of Fiesole. Since 1992, the estate has been managed by Duccio Corsini, son of Filippo IX, Prince of Sismano, who in 1993 oversaw the first harvest under the Principe Corsini brand. Since 2013, all vineyards have been cultivated using organic methods. All wines are also vegan.

Vineyards

The Principe Corsini estate covers an area of over 230 hectares, of which nearly 50 are planted with vines and 63 hectares are set aside for olive groves. The remaining land is deliberately maintained as woodland to protect biodiversity.

The estate also owns Tenuta Marsiliana in the Maremma, near Manciano, a separate coastal estate with its own vineyards and wines.

Terroir

The hills of San Casciano are situated on the north-western edge of the Chianti Classico zone, closest to Florence. The soils are typical of this appellation, a mixture of clay, limestone and galestro, a loose shale that drains well and restrains vine growth. Sangiovese is the dominant variety on the estate, alongside the traditional Tuscan blending varieties Colorino and Canaiolo.

Grapes

Sangiovese forms the basis of all Principe Corsini's red and sparkling wines, used alongside Colorino and Canaiolo. At Tenuta Marsiliana, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Vermentino are grown on mineral-rich coastal soils.

Winemaking

The approach to winemaking is entirely organic: no synthetic chemicals have been used in the vineyards since 2013. The 17th-century cellars beneath the villa provide natural temperature and humidity control for ageing the wine. The philosophy is to express the terroir of San Casciano as vividly as possible, using Sangiovese as the primary grape.

Wines

At Principe Corsini, the range includes Le Corti Chianti Classico DOCG, the entry-level vintage wine; Cortevecchia Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva; Don Tommaso Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, the flagship wine; and Zac, a second Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, introduced with the 2016 vintage.

The range is complemented by a sparkling rosé wine, produced using the Charmat method from Sangiovese with extended contact with the lees, and Vin Santo Sant'Andrea Corsini.

The wines from Tenuta Marsiliana are Vermentino Costa Toscana IGT, Birillo Costa Toscana IGT and the flagship Marsiliana Maremma Toscana IGT, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.