Antinori Chianti Classico Gran Selezione: A Commitment to Tradition and Quality
In September 2024, Marchese Piero Antinori expressed the family’s enduring connection to Chianti Classico, stating, "Chianti Classico is part of our DNA." This sentiment was highlighted during the launch of Antinori’s four new Gran Selezione wines, which signify a significant reaffirmation of the family’s commitment to the Chianti Classico zone.
Historically, Antinori’s relationship with Chianti Classico has been complex. In the early 1970s, the family distanced itself from the Chianti Classico consortium due to a relentless pursuit of quality and the desire to innovate. Their groundbreaking wine, Tignanello, made from Sangiovese blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, could not be labeled as Chianti Classico, prompting the family’s withdrawal. However, regulatory changes and a renewed focus on quality spurred Antinori’s return to the consortium in 2012, culminating in the introduction of the Gran Selezione category in 2014, which has stringent quality controls and requires that grapes come solely from the estate’s own vineyards.
In 2023, the Gran Selezione category was further refined with the addition of 11 new geographic units (UGAs), allowing these sub-zones to be specified on the wine labels. Each wine must now consist of at least 90% Sangiovese, emphasizing the importance of local terroir and identity.
On June 24, 2025, at Cantinetta Antinori in London, Allegra Antinori and CEO Renzo Cotarella introduced the four new Gran Selezione UGA wines, showcasing different sub-zones of Chianti Classico: Cigliano, Badia a Passignano, Buiano, and San Sano, all sourced from Antinori’s own vineyards.
The Badia a Passignano represents a powerful testament to the family’s long-standing commitment to Chianti Classico, having been first planted in 1987 during a challenging period for Italian wine. Allegra recalls this era as one of important expansion and experimentation for Antinori, leading to the development of various estates across Italy and even abroad.
When tasked with evaluating the wines, Cotarella noted the impact of climate change on wine production, emphasizing that despite the challenges of global warming, Antinori’s goal remains focused on creating wines that are refined and elegant.
The tasting highlighted the unique characteristics of each wine, with the 2021 Cigliano being praised for its vibrant aromas and weightless texture, while the 2021 Buiano exhibited a robust and powerful profile born of its warm growing environment. The San Sano was noted for its vertical structure and racy acidity, whereas the Badia a Passignano showcased balance and silky texture, representing a continuous improvement in quality over the years.
Despite their diverse profiles, all four wines reflect Antinori’s commitment to authenticity and quality. With these releases, the Antinori family illustrates a return to their roots in Chianti Classico, reaffirming their focus on producing wines that are both expressive of their terroir and true to the family’s storied history in winemaking.