Castello del Volpaia gets exclusive new distributor

New Generation Wines will take on the exclusive UK distribution of Castello di Volpaia’s ‘Super Tuscan’ wines from September.

London-based New Generation Wines has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Tuscan producer Castello di Volpaia (Volpaia). The partnership will see New Generation Wines distribute Volpaia’s portfolio, including its Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva wines, across the UK, as well as the producer’s celebrated Super Tuscan wines.

Volpaia, owned by the Mascheroni Stianti family, hopes to leverage New Generation Wines’ network and expertise in the UK market.

“We’re delighted to join forces with New Generation Wines, a company that shares our passion for quality and dedication to wine excellence,” said Federica Mascheroni.

“The UK is a key market for us, and we’re confident that this partnership will help us reach new heights and connect with more wine lovers and a broad base of customers.”

Volpaia, which means ‘fox’s lair’ in Italian, is a flagbearer for the Radda sub-region of Chianti, an area of Chianti Classico located about 35km southeast of Florence, that is growing in repute due to the high elevation of its vineyards (650 metres above sea level). Volpaia’s own 45ha of vineyards are situated at 400m above sea level on predominantly sandstone soils ideal for cultivating high-quality Sangiovese.

Super Tuscans

The first ‘Super Tuscans’ were created in the 1970s by Chianti Classico producers who rejected a restrictive government regulation that dictated which grapes were required to go into wines labelled as being from the region. Shortly after its release in 1985, Volpaia’s wine Balifico was awarded the label Super Tuscan for its exceptional blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The family-owned and operated winery, one of the oldest in Tuscany, established in 1404, has been certified organic since 2003.

Castello di Volpaia’s owners, Carlo and Giovannella Stianti Mascheroni, are also a lynchpin of the local community, owning about two-thirds of the Volpaia village, as well as the winery, and have invested significantly in innovations that will benefit the whole medieval hamlet. One of the most extraordinary projects they have overseen in recent years is the installing of a ‘wineduct’ that connects the winery’s stainless-steel fermentation tanks in the upper part of the village to the barrel cellars in the lower portion of the village. The wine passes by gravity through the stainless-steel pipes that are hidden below the village’s streets.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Volpaia, an estate that embodies tradition, quality and excellence,” said James McKenna, managing director of New Generation Wines.

“They share our values and considerable ambition. This partnership aligns with our mission to bring the world’s finest wines to our customers. We look forward to working closely with Giovannella, Federica, Nicolo and the Volpaia team to represent their exceptional wines in the UK.”

Volpaia will be available in the UK from 1st September via New Generation Wines, which also looks after distribution for Champagne Henri Giraud, esteemed Bordeaux producer Cos d’Estournel, and Montalcino’s Castello Tricerchi, among others.