Vallepicciola Earns Over 40 Top Ratings and “Winery of the Year” in Landmark 2025 for Chianti Classico

Vallepicciola, a winery based in Castelnuovo Berardenga near Siena, has marked 2025 as a year of significant achievements and recognition in the world of Chianti Classico. Owned by the Bolfo family, the estate has received the “Winery of the Year” award from Le Guide de L’Espresso, a respected Italian wine guide. This honor comes alongside more than 40 high ratings from both Italian and international critics, including Wine Spectator, James Suckling, Antonio Galloni of Vinous, Falstaff, Luca Gardini, and Bibenda.

The winery’s focus on Sangiovese, the region’s signature grape, has been central to its recent success. The Gran Selezione Vigneto Lapina 2021, part of Vallepicciola’s Chianti Classico range, received 98 points from Le Guide de L’Espresso and 94 points from Vinous. Another standout is the Vallepicciola Rosso 2022 IGT Toscana, a pure Sangiovese that earned 110 Cum Laude from GardiniNotes, 93 points from both Wine Spectator and Vinous, and 92 points from James Suckling.

Vallepicciola has also expanded its wine tourism offerings in 2025. The estate has invested in experiences such as guided tastings, sunset events among the vineyards, and jeep tours through its property. These activities have attracted a steady stream of visitors throughout the year. According to staff at the winery, guest satisfaction remains high and has encouraged further development of personalized experiences.

From a production perspective, winemaker Alessandro Cellai reported that this year’s harvest produced grapes of excellent quality and balance. He expects these conditions to result in an outstanding vintage for Vallepicciola wines.

Sustainability remains a priority for the estate. Vallepicciola manages 107 hectares of vineyards and produces about 500,000 bottles annually across 17 different labels. In 2025, the winery renewed its VIVA certification, which measures environmental performance among Italian wine producers. This renewal reflects Vallepicciola’s ongoing commitment to responsible viticulture.

Looking ahead to 2026, Vallepicciola plans to participate in major industry events such as Chianti Classico Collection and Wine Paris. The winery is also preparing new experiences for visitors and wine enthusiasts as it continues to innovate while maintaining strong ties to its Chianti Classico roots.

The combination of critical acclaim, strong tourism initiatives, sustainable practices, and a clear focus on Sangiovese has positioned Vallepicciola as one of the leading estates in Tuscany’s historic wine region this year.