Chianti Classico Winemaker MasterClass with Alessandro Cellai of Vallepicciola
Join us for an evening in the heart of Tuscany with Alessandro Cellai, Winemaker and General Manager of Vallepicciola, as we explore the wines, vineyards and vision behind one of Chianti Classico’s most ambitious modern estates.
A Tuscan winemaker with more than three decades of experience, Cellai spent 25 years with the Castellare group, serving as winemaker, General Manager and CEO before joining Vallepicciola in 2020. His career has also been profoundly shaped by his close professional relationship with legendary Italian winemaker Giacomo Tachis, whose philosophy continues to influence Cellai’s approach to wine.
For Cellai, great wine comes down to three essential elements: the territory, the grape variety and the personality of the winemaker. His goal is not to impose a style upon a vineyard, but to understand the land and use precision, experience and sensitivity to reveal what makes each site unique.
That philosophy comes to life at Vallepicciola, a remarkable estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the southern reaches of Chianti Classico, just 20 kilometers from Siena. The story of Vallepicciola began in the late 1990s, when the Bolfo family restored the ruins of an historic monastery and began developing the surrounding property. Today, the estate encompasses approximately 265 hectares, including 109 hectares of vineyards, along with extensive woodland and more than 4,000 olive trees.
The diversity of the estate is central to its identity. Sangiovese remains at the heart of Vallepicciola and its Chianti Classico wines, but Cellai also works with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, exploring how these varieties perform within the estate’s varied Tuscan landscape.
Vallepicciola’s modern 6,000-square-meter winery, completed in 2020, was designed to work in harmony with the surrounding landscape, with two underground levels dedicated to winemaking and a separate level for hospitality. It reflects the estate’s larger philosophy: embracing modern technology and precision while keeping the vineyard and the character of the place at the center of the wine.
During this MasterClass, we’ll taste alongside Alessandro and explore the character of Castelnuovo Berardenga and its Sangiovese, from classic Chianti Classico through the estate’s Riserva and Gran Selezione expressions, while also discovering Cellai’s more expansive vision through Vallepicciola’s wines made from international varieties.
We’ll talk terroir, tradition and the evolution of Chianti Classico—and hear firsthand from a winemaker whose career bridges the great traditions of Giacomo Tachis and classic Tuscan winemaking with a distinctly contemporary vision.
Come meet Alessandro Cellai, taste the wines of Vallepicciola, and discover a fascinating new perspective on one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions.
Featuring:
Le Petit Vallée Champagne 1er cru NV Brut
Vallepicciola Chardonnay Bianco 2024
Vallepicciola Chianti Classico 2024
Vallepicciola Chianti Classico Riserva 2021
Vallepicciola Mordese Cabernet Franc 2022
Vallepicciola Quercegrosse Merlot 2022
Vallepicciola Boscobruno Pinot Noir 2023
Podere Il Monastero La Pineta Pinot Noir 2024
Vallepicciola Sangiovese Toscana Rosso 2022
Vallepicciola Migliore Toscana Rosso 2021
$25 ticket price includes 1.5 hr tasting of wines and cheese & charcuterie boxes by Baker's Best. Space is limited. All wines will be available for purchase with special event night discounts. Please email chelsea@gordonswine.com if you have any allergies at least 48 hours before the event.
TICKETS CANNOT BE REFUNDED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE EVENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PICK UP YOUR WINE FROM MAIN ST. ON THE EVENING OF THE EVENT, PLEASE LET THE WINE DEPARTMENT KNOW AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE BY CALLING (781) 893-1900 EXT. 130 OR EMAILING DAILYFLASH@GORDONSWINE.COM.
EVENT QUESTIONS? PLEASE EMAIL CHELSEA@GORDONSWINE.COM
