{"product_id":"chianti-classico-winemaker-masterclass","title":"Chianti Classico Winemaker MasterClass with Alessandro Cellai of Vallepicciola","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJoin us for an evening in the heart of Tuscany with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlessandro Cellai\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Winemaker and General Manager of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVallepicciola\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, as we explore the wines, vineyards and vision behind one of Chianti Classico’s most ambitious modern estates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Tuscan winemaker with more than three decades of experience, Cellai spent \u003c\/span\u003e25 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor Cellai, great wine comes down to three essential elements: \u003c\/span\u003ethe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat philosophy comes to life at \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVallepicciola\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a remarkable estate in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCastelnuovo Berardenga\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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 \u003c\/span\u003e265 hectares, including 109 hectares of vineyards, along with extensive woodland and more than 4,000 olive trees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe diversity of the estate is central to its identity. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSangiovese\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e remains at the heart of Vallepicciola and its Chianti Classico wines, but Cellai also works with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, exploring how these varieties perform within the estate’s varied Tuscan landscape.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVallepicciola’s modern \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e6,000-square-meter winery\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring this MasterClass, we’ll taste alongside Alessandro and explore the character of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCastelnuovo Berardenga and its Sangiovese\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe’ll talk terroir, tradition and the evolution of Chianti Classico—and hear firsthand from a winemaker whose career bridges the great traditions of \u003c\/span\u003eGiacomo Tachis and classic Tuscan winemaking with a distinctly contemporary vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCome meet Alessandro Cellai, taste the wines of Vallepicciola, and discover a fascinating new perspective on one of Italy’s most celebrated wine regions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeaturing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003eLe Petit Vallée Champagne 1er cru NV Brut            \u003cbr\u003eVallepicciola Chardonnay Bianco 2024               \u003cbr\u003eVallepicciola Chianti Classico 2024   \u003cbr\u003eVallepicciola Chianti Classico Riserva 2021\u003cbr\u003eVallepicciola Mordese Cabernet Franc 2022           \u003cbr\u003eVallepicciola Quercegrosse Merlot 2022   \u003cbr\u003eVallepicciola Boscobruno Pinot Noir 2023                                    \u003cbr\u003ePodere Il Monastero La Pineta Pinot Noir 2024            \u003cbr\u003eVallepicciola Sangiovese Toscana Rosso 2022                \u003cbr\u003eVallepicciola Migliore Toscana Rosso 2021    \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e$25 ticket price includes 1.5 hr tasting of wines and cheese \u0026amp; 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. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTICKETS 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEVENT QUESTIONS? PLEASE EMAIL CHELSEA@GORDONSWINE.COM\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Event","offers":[{"title":"General Admission","offer_id":47896399216838,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0642\/5529\/5686\/files\/EventsThumbnails--Dates_3_copy2_b5cfa3e8-3f5e-408e-8b93-2ffc588436ca.png?v=1790542341","url":"https:\/\/www.gordonswine.com\/products\/chianti-classico-winemaker-masterclass","provider":"Gordon's Fine Wine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}