The winery was founded in 1903 by Bartolomeo Baldi, great-great-uncle of the current owners, the brothers Guido and Gherardo Betti: the Betti family is in fact originally from Florence and in the past the cellar was the so-called country house. In 2003 Guido and Gherardo made a very important decision that would define their lives: that is, they decided to devote themselves totally to viticulture and therefore transformed what had always been the second family business into a modern winery, Guido, born in 1978, oversees the Italian Commercial and Export sectors while Gherardo, born in 1983, manages all the oenological and agronomic part
Guido and Gherardo Betti's work has always been oriented towards the highest quality, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. The basic intention is to constantly enhance the innate characteristics of the wines of the territory - finesse and liveliness in the first place - without any forcing, but simply accompanying a soil that was already born perfect. The cultivation includes partial grassing and organic fertilizers (for example the plants of favette cut and buried at the time of flowering release nitrogen into the soil) and an attitude of interventionism only when it is really needed, without any forcing. Harvesting is partly manual and partly mechanical, depending on the plots.
Guido and Gherardo therefore consider themselves as custodians of a marvelous territory, which they have the duty to defend without distorting it: in their thinking, modern technologies and everything that involves innovation is absolutely looked upon with great favor, as long as it is aimed at guaranteeing a production in which every single bottle expresses personality and genuineness.
Farnio Chianti Montalbano Riserva is made from 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino.
Brilliant ruby red with plain ruby shades, fairly clear. Blackberry and violet notes emerge on the nose with spiced and vegetal tones, leading to a leathery and pencil lead finish. Elegant, pleasant, pure and intense aromas but vigorous and round. Slightly tannic and fresh, balanced and full-bodied.
Wild boar in sauce, grilled meat, casseroles, game and mature pecorino cheese.
Farnio Chianti Montalbano Riserva is made from 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino.
Brilliant ruby red with plain ruby shades, fairly clear. Blackberry and violet notes emerge on the nose with spiced and vegetal tones, leading to a leathery and pencil lead finish. Elegant, pleasant, pure and intense aromas but vigorous and round. Slightly tannic and fresh, balanced and full-bodied.
Wild boar in sauce, grilled meat, casseroles, game and mature pecorino cheese.
Lismore Chardonnay Reserve made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
A careful selection of the best of the vintage that exemplifies the extraordinary terroir of Lismore. This Reserve Chardonnay shows intense citrus, stone fruit, jasmine and walnut layered with honey and vanilla carried by a distinct minerality and crisp acidity with a lingering citrus finish.
Wine Made in the Soil
The vineyards are planted in decomposed shale over clay at 300 meters in the foothills of the Sonderend Mountain Range. A low mean February temperature lends to an extended ripening period that can put harvest 3-4 weeks later than traditional wine growing regions in South Africa. The intense citrus notes and the lingering finish are consistent trademarks of Lismore's specific terroir. The restrained minerality of the Chardonnay is a clear indication of the cool climate in which it is grown.
Wine of Origin "Greyton" has been designated by SAWIS recognizing the special terroir of this region.
Delightful with warm curries which lift the aromatics or a traditional pairing of smoked salmon highlighting the fresh acidity.
Review:
100% Chardonnay matured in Burgundian oak (33% new) for 11 months. This Reserve Chardonnay shows intense citrus, stone fruit, jasmine and walnut layered with honey and vanilla carried by a distinct minerality and crisp acidity with a lingering citrus finish.
-Karen McNeil 95 points
Michel Thomas Sancerre Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc (40% Caillottes, 40% Grosses Terres, 20% Silex)
The wine displays an exotic nose with a touch of smoke and licorice. On the palate, peach and watermelon dominate with citrus zest and chalk notes.
Aged on the lees for a few months (no oak). It goes well with seafood, fish, goats cheese.