Chianti producer founded in Castellina in Chianti, with Chianti Classico reds, Brancaia No 2 from Maremma Toscana, and Stella sparkling wine.
The producer
Founded in 1981 in Castellina in Chianti by the Swiss couple Bruno and Brigitte Widmer, Brancaia makes Chianti Classico reds, Brancaia No 2 from Maremma Toscana, Il Bianco, rosé, Tre, Il Blu and Stella, a Metodo Classico sparkling wine. Barbara Widmer instituted cover crop practices while still in school in 1996. The estate installed solar water heating in 2000, moved entirely to spontaneous fermentations in 2012, installed greywater recycling in 2013, and banned pesticides and herbicides in 2015. The 2020 Brancaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is 100% Sangiovese and certified organic.
Known for
Chianti Classico and Stella Metodo Classico
Notable facts
Brancaia was founded in 1981 in Castellina in Chianti by Bruno and Brigitte Widmer.
Barbara Widmer instituted cover crop practices in 1996 while she was still in school.
Brancaia moved entirely to spontaneous fermentations in 2012.
The 2020 Brancaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is 100% Sangiovese and certified organic.
The story
Barbara Widmer's Cover Crop Work
In 1996, Barbara Widmer was still in school when she instituted cover crop practices at Brancaia. A cover crop is vegetation grown between vine rows, where it keeps the soil covered during the growing season. The practice belongs to vineyard work, with the cover planted between the vines and managed alongside them. Widmer made the decision while she was still a student. The estate's cover crop work began in 1996, in the vineyard and between the rows at Brancaia itself.
From the atlas
Brancaia
Brancaia is a Chianti producer founded in Castellina in Chianti by Bruno and Brigitte Widmer, making Chianti Classico reds alongside Brancaia No 2 from Maremma Toscana and Stella Metodo Classico sparkling wine.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Home base
Castellina in Chianti
Red appellations
Chianti Classico and Maremma Toscana
Named red
Brancaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Other styles
Il Bianco, rosé and sparkling wine
The Producer
Barbara Widmer was still in school in 1996 when she instituted cover crop practices at Brancaia. She and her team installed a solar water heating system in 2000. Brancaia moved entirely to spontaneous fermentations in 2012, installed a greywater recycling system in 2013, and banned pesticides and herbicides in 2015.
The estate was founded in 1981 in Castellina in Chianti by the Swiss couple Bruno and Brigitte Widmer. It makes red, white, rosé and sparkling wine.
Place
Castellina in Chianti is the place named in Brancaia's founding. The red range carries the Chianti Classico and Maremma Toscana appellations. Chianti Classico appears on Brancaia Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Brancaia Riserva and Brancaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. Maremma Toscana appears on Brancaia No 2.
Wines
The Chianti Classico range includes Brancaia Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Brancaia Riserva and Brancaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. The 2020 Brancaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is 100% Sangiovese and certified organic. Brancaia Il Blu and Brancaia Tre are red wines, Brancaia No 2 is a Maremma Toscana red, and Brancaia Il Bianco is white. The portfolio also includes rosé.
Stella is a Spumante made by the Metodo Classico method. In this method, the second fermentation takes place in the bottle, creating the bubbles called perlage. Stella has a clear bouquet with subtle brioche and almond notes, and a filigree, pointed palate with fine perlage. The range moves from still red, white and rosé wines to sparkling Stella.
Final Word
Brancaia's range joins Chianti Classico reds and Maremma Toscana red No 2 with Il Bianco, rosé and Stella, a Metodo Classico sparkling wine.