The Province of Arezzo in Eastern Tuscany historically served as a rural country retreat for wealthy Florentines to escape the city’s crushing summer heat. Today, it still retains a chic country feel with lush landscapes of rolling hills, horse farms and the fertile foothills that back up to the Apennine Mountains.
Horses at Il Borro
It is also where you can find some exceptional wines, both single variety and blends. The focus is small yields, high quality and single cru wines. For many years these wines were classified under “Chianti.” In 2011, the Valdarno di Sopra Denominazione d’Origine Controllata (DOC) was recognized by Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture.
The region spans both the eastern and western slopes of the hilly and lush Arno River Valley. To the west are the Chianti hills; to the east lies the Apennine mountain range, often referred to as the “spine of Italy’s boot,” which creates a cooling effect over the vineyards in the river valley. Soil sediments vary by location along the slopes of the river. The region has two main subzones, Pietraviva and Pratomagno and several micro-zones. Overall, this area is considered an ideal for cultivating many varieties. Nearly all the wines produced here are certified organic or are in the process of becoming so.
Valdarno di Sopra DOC white wines must be 40-80 percent Chardonnay and Trebbiano Toscana and/or Malvasia Bianca Lunga up to 30 percent, and/or up to 10 percent Sauvignon Blanc. All other white wines outside these guidelines are labeled IGT Toscana.
Valdarno di Sopra DOC red blend wines must be 40-80 percent Merlot and/or: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc up to a maximum of 50 percent.
Valdarno di Sopra DOC Rosso Spumante requires a minimum of 85% Sangiovese, vinification in the metodo classico and a minimum period of lees-aging up to disgorgement of 48 months.
There are also several single varietal wines using both indigenous and international grapes. Some of the more notable native red varieties we tasted, aside from Sangiovese, included Foglio Tonda, Pugnitello, Black Canaiolo and Cilegiolo. Also unique to this area, with just one example produced, is Caberlot, a red variety that is thought to be a cross between Cabernet Franc and Merlot, though it has never been tested.
We recently met with producers and tasted several wines produced in Valdarno di Sopra DOC as part of the annual Anteprime Toscana. The day-long presentation of wines took place at a meeting center at Il Borro, the expansive estate, restored medieval village, horse farm, and Relais & Chateaux hotel owned by the Ferragamo family. This is also the setting for one of the Ferragamo wine estates, also named and marketed as Il Borro. This was our third visit to this region, one of which included an evening and day at Sette Ponti, a wine estate owned by the Moretti-Cusari family. Learn more about this estate here on The Connected Table Live podcast (link) and blog (link)
Here are some of the producers we tasted this year and recommend.
Campo del Monte www.campodelmonte.it
- Malvasia Bianca Lunga 2024 Valdarno di Sopra DOC 100% Malvasia Bianca Lunga
- Baltea 2024 Valdarno di Sopra DOC 100% Chardonay, aged in acacia barriques
- Il Tardo 2024 Toscana IGT, blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia, a vendemmia tardiva with lovely honeysuckle notes
Visit: This winery offers tastings and the Campo di Monte farmhouse for overnight stays.
Cantine Le Pietre www.cantinalepietre.com
- Magnificat Toscana 2024 IGT 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Teraia 2024 Toscana IGT 100$ Sangiovese- a new vintage that shows promise.
Visit: Winery offers on-site tasting experiences and a restaurant.
Il Borro. www.ilborro.it
- Il Borro 2022, Toscana IGT, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
- Il Borro, Alessandro dal Borro 2018 Valdarno di Sopra 100% Syrah
Visit: This winery offers on-site tastings and accommodations at its luxury Relais & Chateaux property
Podere Il Carnasciale. www.caberlot.eu
- Caberlot 2022 IGT Toscana. This variety is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Merlot, exclusive to this producer
- Ottandue 2023 Valdarno di Sopra DOC 100% Sangiovese
Visits: Tastings by appointment.
Migliarina & Montozzi. www.castellodimontozzi.it
- Castello di Montozzi 2020 Valdarno di Sopra DOC 100% Sangiovese
- Castello di Montozzi 2020, Valdarno di Sopra DOC 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Visit: This winery estate offers on-site tasting experiences and accommodations.
Petrolo DOC Valdarno di Sopra – Petrolo
- Galatrona 2023, Valdarno di Sopra 100% Merlot – This wine has been called “the Petrus of Tuscany”
- Torrione 2023, Toscana IGT blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Visit: This 18th century winery offers on-site tasting experiences and accommodations
Tenuta San Jacopo. www.tenutasanjacopo.it
- Erboli Trebbiano di Toscana 2022 IGT Organic, aged in tonneaux
- Vigna Mulino 2023 Valdarno di Sopra DOC Riserva 100% Sangiovese
Visit: This 18th century winery estate offers on site tasting experiences and accommodations.
Tenuta Scrafana. www.tenutascrafana.it
- Berulfo 2020, Toscana IGT blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese
Visit: This winery offered on-site tasting experiences.
Tenuta Sette Ponti www.tenutasetteponti.it
- Sette Ponti Vigna dell’Impero 2020, Valdarno di Sopra 100% Sangiovese, a stellar flagship wine for this producer
- Oreno 2023 Toscana IGT Rosso, blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot
Visit: This estate for the former country retreat of The Royal Family of Savoy Aosta, this winery is named for the seven bridges spanning the rivers and streams. On-site tastings, cooking classes and other experiences can be arranged by appointment.
Getting there: The Valdarno di Sopra DOC is roughly a 45-minute drive east from Florence. Information on visiting and wine tourism can be found at this link: Valdarno di Sopra 2026: Tuscany’s Wine Region | WineTourism.com