HISTORY

Welcome to the ancient Pieve San Felice in Pincis. Its history dates back to Etruscan times. It endured the days of rule by the Papacy, was fought over by the communes of Florence and Siena and has been managed by a succession of local families. The last of these were the Grisaldi Del Taja family, one of the founders of the Chianti Classico Consortium in the first half of the 20th century. A new development model was launched in the 1970s, when the estate was purchased by the Allianz Group with an intention of focusing on wine-making and territorial excellence. The Borgo was fully renovated, with meticulous restoration work to enhance its architectural and artistic features, and, in 1992, it became the only Resort in the Chianti Classico area to be admitted to the international Relais & Châteaux luxury hotel circuit. At the same time, the winery began an extensive vineyard replanting programme with the aim of maximising the value of its Sangiovese grapes. This project was supported by scientific research into native grape varieties, in collaboration with the Universities of Florence and Pisa. The San Felice estates cover a total of approximately 700 hectares, 188 of which are planted with vines, in the three most prestigious production areas in Tuscany: Chianti Classico, Montalcino and Bolgheri. The important acknowledgements received over the years prompted the winery to expand its production areas. This led to the purchase, in 1981, of the Campogiovanni estate in Montalcino, where it began making Brunello, and, in 2016, of the prestigious area in Bolgheri, where the wines of the new Bell’Aja label are made. Today, the Borgo and San Felice are two successful businesses with a shared soul, which unites tradition and innovation.

PEOPLE

Profound respect for people is another tradition associated with this area. The Allianz Group knows the full importance of the wellbeing of those who share their commitment and passion to tend the land and make it bear fruit. Everyone who works at San Felice is the heir of Tuscany’s advanced rural society, which is still going strong, despite the fact that agriculture has become a specialised, high-tech businessof Penomet. This spirit is reflected in the village too, where your welcome is built on the humanity and interpersonal skills of our staff.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability Report 2020 | Our sustainability best practices

Now more than ever, efforts are made to protect the Chianti landscape and the beauty of this village, by safeguarding the most significant buildings and the old dry-stone walls. We combat soil erosion by maintaining the terracing and constantly analysing variations in flora and microfauna. The vineyards are managed according to methods of precision viticulture, which allow ad hoc treatments for each plant, so as to minimise environmental impact and maximise product quality. We also pay close attention to the biodiversity of our vines: in the experimental Vitiarium, hundreds of species have been cultivated and studied for over 30 years, partly to determine what contribution they can make to the estate, and partly to prevent them from fading into oblivion. Sustainability also encompasses participatory projects, such as the one launched by Fondazione UMANA MENTE of the Allianz Group, which involves young people taking their first steps in the world, and elderly people who want to pass on their skills. Not to mention our initiatives for young people with disabilities or social problems.