Despite growing up far from vineyards in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Manfred Ing found his way into winemaking as a teenager. Today, after working harvests around the world, he leads Querciabella, the family-owned Tuscan estate known for its organic and biodynamic approach.
Ing’s early connection to vineyards came during family trips to the Cape. His Italian mother’s family also helped shape his love of food and wine: his grandfather had grown grapes in Sardinia before emigrating to South Africa. At school, Ing excelled in science and maths, but a work-experience visit to a winery convinced him to pursue winemaking. He studied in Stellenbosch and then travelled to New Zealand for his first harvest.
He went on to gain experience in several wine regions, working with winemakers whose approaches ranged from scientific to artistic. In 2010, he became head winemaker at Querciabella.
Precision without a recipe
Ing says the estate’s philosophy is to work with as much precision as possible, allowing for minimal intervention. Careful attention helps the team anticipate problems rather than correct them later. But there is no fixed recipe: each vintage is different, and the winemaking approach must adapt.
Querciabella combines respect for tradition with a willingness to experiment. Ing sees the growing quality and ambition of Chianti Classico as part of a wider transformation in Tuscany. He points to the region’s classification system—from Chianti Classico to Riserva and Gran Selezione—and the introduction of additional geographical units, or UGAs, as ways to highlight the character of individual areas and demonstrate the region’s potential for fine wine.
Cooking, sharing and pairing
When he is not making wine or travelling, Ing spends much of his time cooking. He enjoys experimenting with spices and Asian influences, as well as cooking over an open flame—an interest rooted in his South African upbringing.
His travels in Asia have also shaped his approach to pairing. Rather than serving a succession of wines with separate courses, he likes to place several bottles on the table and let guests choose what they enjoy with the changing flavours of the meal.
Ing believes Sangiovese can work well with Asian food, especially when served slightly chilled. Its freshness and acidity can complement rich or spicy dishes. For smoky Korean barbecue, he suggests considering Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon or Querciabella’s Camartina, a blend combining Cabernet’s spice with a lift from Sangiovese. Ultimately, he says, there are no strict rules: the best pairing is the one someone enjoys.
Finding Tuscany’s hidden corners
For visitors exploring Tuscany, Ing recommends taking smaller roads into the region’s villages, where local bars and wine shops can offer a taste of their surroundings. He mentions Bar-Ucci in Volpaia and Ristoro di Lamole, known for its sunset views. In Panzano, he points to butcher Dario Cecchini’s Antica Macelleria Cecchini and Enoteca Baldi, whose wine list he says compares with those of leading restaurants in New York and London.
In London, one of his favourite places to eat is Bocca di Lupo, for its range of regional Italian flavours. He also enjoys a traditional Sunday roast at a pub.
A cellar built around memories
Ing keeps a few hundred bottles in South Africa, including older local wines bought at auction with a friend, and collects wine in Italy too. He prefers to drink bottles after they have had some time to age, but does not want to leave them so long that they pass their best.
Some bottles carry personal meaning: he likes to buy wines with friends and save them to share on a future visit. For Ing, the memory of an empty bottle is better than a wine left unopened for too long.
Away from wine, he enjoys stand-up paddleboarding, hiking and spending time outdoors with his family. He is also a devoted South African rugby supporter. He says the only time he would cheer for Italy against South Africa is if one of his sons were playing for the Italian team.
Ing is due to host a lunch at the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter London, where Querciabella wines will also feature at the Grand Tasting.