Giovanni Chiappini ‘Ferruggini’ Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy 2022
Pickup available at DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
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The Chiappini family estate lies along the famed Via Bolgherese—the heart of Tuscany’s coastal wine country, where some of Italy’s most expressive Bordeaux-style blends are born. Founded by Giovanni Chiappini and now led by his daughter Martina, the winery farms organically and focuses on purity of fruit and honest expression of Bolgheri’s maritime terroir. The name ‘Ferruggini,’ meaning “iron,” pays tribute to the mineral-rich red soils surrounding the estate.
- WINEMAKER: Martina Chiappini
- FARMING: Certified Organic
- VARIETIES: 50% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah
- TERROIR: Estate-grown fruit from vineyards near Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, where iron-rich clay and sandy soils are tempered by sea breezes from the Tyrrhenian. The combination of warm days and cool nights allows for full ripening while retaining freshness and aromatic lift.
- VINIFICATION: Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The cuvée sees no oak aging—only stainless steel—to emphasize freshness and the vivid fruit character of Sangiovese and Syrah. The wine is bottled unfiltered and unfined.
- AGING: Aged in stainless steel for several months before release to preserve brightness and purity.
- TASTING NOTES: Juicy, round, and expressive, with aromas of ripe cherry, plum, and blackberry accented by notes of violet, pepper, and a hint of earth. The palate is medium-bodied and vibrant, with supple tannins, lively acidity, and a smooth, energetic finish. A beautifully balanced, easy-drinking Bolgheri Rosso that remains true to its coastal roots.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Perfect with pasta in tomato sauce, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or aged pecorino. Serve slightly cool to highlight its freshness and fruit.
FROM OUR 2025 BOTTLE OF THE MONTH CLUB NOTES:
Giovanni Chiappini Ferruggini, Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy 2022Let's be real: when people think of Tuscany, they think Chianti. Maybe Brunello if they're feeling fancy. But Bolgheri? That's where the rebels went to play.
Back in the 1940s, a wild-card aristocrat named Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta looked at the stony, sea-kissed vineyards near Bolgheri and thought, "This reminds me of Bordeaux." So he planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, completely unheard of in Tuscany at the time. Fast forward to 1978: his wine, Sassicaia, beats the best Bordeaux in a blind tasting hosted by Decanter Magazine. The kicker? It was labeled as table wine because it didn't follow DOC rules. That's Bolgheri in a nutshell: break the rules, make history.
The Chiappini family has been part of this revolution since the beginning. Giovanni Chiappini started planting vineyards here in the 1970s, becoming one of the early pioneers who believed this quiet coastal stretch could be something special. Today, the estate is run by his daughters Martina and Lisa, a women-run winery in a region often dominated by big names and even bigger egos. I tasted with Martina recently and what struck me was how intentional this family is. Out of their 35-hectare property, only 17 are under vine. They're not maximizing every inch; they're focused on quality and letting the terroir speak. Those other hectares focus on crops and olives!
All of Chiappini's wines are named after old local terms describing the landscape. 'Ferruggini' means iron, a nod to the iron-rich soils that give this wine its backbone. The blend is 50% Sangiovese (the max allowed under Bolgheri Rosso rules), 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah. This is their entry-level wine, but don't let that fool you— this bottle punches way above its weight.
Here's what makes it special: no oak. It's all fermented and aged in stainless steel with native yeasts, keeping everything bright and fruit-forward. No fining, no filtration. No buying grapes because everything is estate-grown and organically-farmed. When we tasted this with Martina, what stood out immediately was how juicy it was. It’s a plush Sangiovese with all the cherry and red berries you'd expect, and the Cabernet and Syrah don't overpower, but blend seamlessly to add roundness, structure, and just a touch of spice. It's balanced in a way that makes you want to pour another glass immediately.
Pair it with anything Tuscan or Italian-inspired: ribollita, pappardelle al cinghiale, bistecca alla fiorentina. Or just grab some pepperoni pizza and call it a night. Salute!
—Cara Patricia DECANT Co–FounderStructure: Acid: Moderate+ · Alcohol: Moderate · Body: Moderate · Finish: Long
The Chiappini family estate lies along the famed Via Bolgherese—the heart of Tuscany’s coastal wine country, where some of Italy’s most expressive Bordeaux-style blends are born. Founded by Giovanni Chiappini and now led by his daughter Martina, the winery farms organically and focuses on purity of fruit and honest expression of Bolgheri’s maritime terroir. The name ‘Ferruggini,’ meaning “iron,” pays tribute to the mineral-rich red soils surrounding the estate.
- WINEMAKER: Martina Chiappini
- FARMING: Certified Organic
- VARIETIES: 50% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah
- TERROIR: Estate-grown fruit from vineyards near Bolgheri on the Tuscan coast, where iron-rich clay and sandy soils are tempered by sea breezes from the Tyrrhenian. The combination of warm days and cool nights allows for full ripening while retaining freshness and aromatic lift.
- VINIFICATION: Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The cuvée sees no oak aging—only stainless steel—to emphasize freshness and the vivid fruit character of Sangiovese and Syrah. The wine is bottled unfiltered and unfined.
- AGING: Aged in stainless steel for several months before release to preserve brightness and purity.
- TASTING NOTES: Juicy, round, and expressive, with aromas of ripe cherry, plum, and blackberry accented by notes of violet, pepper, and a hint of earth. The palate is medium-bodied and vibrant, with supple tannins, lively acidity, and a smooth, energetic finish. A beautifully balanced, easy-drinking Bolgheri Rosso that remains true to its coastal roots.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Perfect with pasta in tomato sauce, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or aged pecorino. Serve slightly cool to highlight its freshness and fruit.
FROM OUR 2025 BOTTLE OF THE MONTH CLUB NOTES:
Giovanni Chiappini Ferruggini, Bolgheri Rosso, Tuscany, Italy 2022Let's be real: when people think of Tuscany, they think Chianti. Maybe Brunello if they're feeling fancy. But Bolgheri? That's where the rebels went to play.
Back in the 1940s, a wild-card aristocrat named Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta looked at the stony, sea-kissed vineyards near Bolgheri and thought, "This reminds me of Bordeaux." So he planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, completely unheard of in Tuscany at the time. Fast forward to 1978: his wine, Sassicaia, beats the best Bordeaux in a blind tasting hosted by Decanter Magazine. The kicker? It was labeled as table wine because it didn't follow DOC rules. That's Bolgheri in a nutshell: break the rules, make history.
The Chiappini family has been part of this revolution since the beginning. Giovanni Chiappini started planting vineyards here in the 1970s, becoming one of the early pioneers who believed this quiet coastal stretch could be something special. Today, the estate is run by his daughters Martina and Lisa, a women-run winery in a region often dominated by big names and even bigger egos. I tasted with Martina recently and what struck me was how intentional this family is. Out of their 35-hectare property, only 17 are under vine. They're not maximizing every inch; they're focused on quality and letting the terroir speak. Those other hectares focus on crops and olives!
All of Chiappini's wines are named after old local terms describing the landscape. 'Ferruggini' means iron, a nod to the iron-rich soils that give this wine its backbone. The blend is 50% Sangiovese (the max allowed under Bolgheri Rosso rules), 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Syrah. This is their entry-level wine, but don't let that fool you— this bottle punches way above its weight.
Here's what makes it special: no oak. It's all fermented and aged in stainless steel with native yeasts, keeping everything bright and fruit-forward. No fining, no filtration. No buying grapes because everything is estate-grown and organically-farmed. When we tasted this with Martina, what stood out immediately was how juicy it was. It’s a plush Sangiovese with all the cherry and red berries you'd expect, and the Cabernet and Syrah don't overpower, but blend seamlessly to add roundness, structure, and just a touch of spice. It's balanced in a way that makes you want to pour another glass immediately.
Pair it with anything Tuscan or Italian-inspired: ribollita, pappardelle al cinghiale, bistecca alla fiorentina. Or just grab some pepperoni pizza and call it a night. Salute!
—Cara Patricia DECANT Co–FounderStructure: Acid: Moderate+ · Alcohol: Moderate · Body: Moderate · Finish: Long