The studies have shown that the same white grape variety was cultivated and used for winemaking over several consecutive centuries, from the Etruscan period through the Roman era.

The findings also confirm the use of vegetative propagation, the same technique still employed today to reproduce grapevines through cuttings. This provides evidence of advanced viticultural knowledge already in existence during Etruscan times. The analyses further revealed a clear predominance of white grape varieties, although some red grape varieties were also present.

The discovery holds special significance for the territory of Gaiole in Chianti and for its archaeological museum, Chianti Origo, where the artifacts recovered from the excavations are preserved. The Mayor of Gaiole in Chianti has highlighted the cultural and historical importance of this research, which strengthens the connection between the area and a winemaking tradition spanning millennia.

The Stucchi Prinetti Family, owners of the woodlands of Badia a Coltibuono and longstanding supporters of the excavations, have likewise emphasized the importance of findings that link the estate’s history to the earliest roots of Chianti viticulture.

This heritage was preserved through the centuries by the Vallombrosan Order and has endured to the present day through a form of viticulture deeply rooted in the local landscape.

Should ongoing research confirm a genetic relationship between the ancient grape variety identified at Cetamura and grape varieties that still exist today, the implications would be of international significance.

Badia a Coltibuono could become the center of a unique project: bringing back to life the grapevine that grew on these hills more than two thousand years ago, long before the rise of Sangiovese as the defining grape of the region.

This would represent far more than the reconstruction of a chapter of history.

It would offer an opportunity to restore a part of Chianti’s deepest identity, transforming an extraordinary archaeological discovery into a tangible viticultural renaissance. In this endeavor, Badia a Coltibuono would not merely serve as the custodian of the memory of these lands, but as a leading force in shaping their future.

Badia a Coltibuono is one of the most representative estates of Chianti Classico. Founded in 1051 by Vallombrosan monks, over the centuries it became an important hub for the area’s agricultural activity, with a particular focus on grapevines and olives.

After the Napoleonic suppressions, the ancient abbey and its surrounding estates were purchased in 1846 by the Giuntini family, ancestors of the current owners, Stucchi Prinetti. Since then, Badia a Coltibuono has continued to develop its agricultural, winemaking, and cultural vocation, contributing to the promotion of Chianti Classico in Italy and around the world.

A great start!
Horta, the Festival of Agricultural Biodiversity, was enthusiastically welcomed by hundreds of people who gathered in the large meadow of L’Avamposto at Badia a Coltibuono, where stalls of local producers, children’s games, and food stands had been set up. The event also featured moments of reflection and dialogue on the importance of safeguarding biodiversity, alternating with excursions and recreational activities.

In ancient Rome—and even earlier among the Etruscans—Horta was considered a protective deity of cultivated fields. It may well have been worshipped in the Etrusco-Roman settlement of Cetamura, located in the woods of Badia a Coltibuono.

This festival was an opportunity to reconnect with the deep roots of the relationship between humankind and nature.

The success of the initiative rewards the efforts of the Radici del Chianti Association which, in collaboration with the Philharmonic Society of Gaiole and the association La Racchetta, organized Horta to raise public awareness on a highly relevant issue: the protection of animal and plant heritage through sustainable practices that preserve environmental balance. These are themes deeply embedded in the historical legacy of Badia a Coltibuono.

The festival was sponsored by the municipalities of Gaiole in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Greve in Chianti, and Cavriglia.

From Badia a Coltibuono, heartfelt thanks go to the organizers and participants of this first edition of Horta.

Thirty years ago, Bernardo Bertolucci offered the world a sensual, delicate, and profound glimpse into Tuscany and adolescence withStealing Beauty (Io ballo da sola). Rolling hills, cypress trees, olive groves, and vineyards became the backdrop—and symbol—of freedom, discovery, and desire in a film that has left a lasting mark on the collective imagination. In the golden light of Chianti Classico, among Renaissance villas and age-old silences, a new icon was born: Liv Tyler.

To honor this masterpiece, a special screening was held in Piazza del Campo, in Siena, at the heart of a region now a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status. On stage, alongside the director and the audience, stood Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, one of the film’s stars, who fondly recalled his connection to Tuscany:
“It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world: mild climate, great cuisine, extraordinary wines. I drink Italian wine—often Chianti Classico. And among the labels I love, of course, is Badia a Coltibuono.“

On the day of the screening, Jeremy Irons, accompanied by his wife Sinéad Cusack, returned to Badia a Coltibuono, where he was warmly welcomed by Emanuela Stucchi Prinetti, with whom he shares a long-standing friendship. A simple family lunch within the ancient walls of the Abbey renewed an affectionate and authentic bond, built on mutual respect, admiration, and shared memories. The convivial gathering also included actors Roberto Zibetti and Ignazio Oliva, producer Jeremy Thomas, Valentina Ricciardelli of the Bernardo Bertolucci Foundation, and Cosima Spender with Valerio Bonelli.

An unexpected declaration of love and a visit that deeply honors us. Because wine—when it is born from a genuine place, from a millenary history and a cultural vision—has the power to transcend time, the screen, and the heart.