Le Rote

Lara and Massimo Scotti are an extremely beautiful Italian couple in their early 40s, and the quality of their wine is equally striking. Along with their three boys, Cosimo, Giovanni and Pietro, they also run a charming agriturismo, with a 19th century villa, located just 1 ½ kilometers from the famous towers of San Gimignano. The site was originally the family’s summer home, and Massimo recalls spending languid days there as a child.

Today, the family produces a tiny amount (around 2,500 cases total) of exceptionally good wine. Vernaccia is one of Italy’s most historic whites (the first to be elevated to DOC), and San Gimignano’s mainstay, so half of all production is devoted to this classic. The other focus, importantly, is Sangiovese. Because of the high global demand for Vernaccia, very few producers in the area still devote any land at all to red varietals. The Scottis, however, have accurately assessed that their terroir and microclimate rival that of nearby Chianti Classico, and in recent years it has become their goal to produce the best red ever made in an area esteemed only for its whites. One taste of their Cosimo, and you know it’s within reach.