Fonte delle Donne (2020)

About this wine

Fonte delle Donne 2020 is a blend of Colombana and Vermentino grown on the Pisa hills, harvested by hand in early September. The wine is produced with a short cryo maceration using CO2, followed by about 30 days of controlled fermentation. It spends six months in cement tanks and a further six months in bottle before release. On the nose it offers bright citrus aromas and a delicate aniseed perfume. The palate is soft and sapid, driven by mineral extraction and lively acidity, finishing fresh and persistent. The vineyard siting around 120 meters above sea level on marine rich soils contributes to the wine's saline lift and energetic structure.

About the grape

Colombana is a rare local white variety that Fattoria Fibbiano revived from Lombardy and Tuscany where it is also known as Verdea, and its local story is tied to the medieval monk Columban. Vermentino is a Mediterranean variety long established on the Tuscan coast, prized for its aromatic lift and reliable acidity, and it has been cultivated here alongside Colombana at about 120 meters above sea level in soils rich in marine shells. In this bottling the estate uses a 50 50 planting and practices spur cordon training with a planting density of roughly 2.20 by 0.80 meters, hand harvesting in early September and a controlled vinification that includes cryo maceration, a 30 day fermentation and six months of cement ageing. Colombana supplies rarity and local character while Vermentino provides structural balance and proven adaptability in the Pisa hills, making both varieties integral to the wine s identity and production method.

Quick facts

• 🌊 Fonte delle Donne is named after a tiny on‑estate spring with a local miracle legend that historically drew visitors seeking its healing water.
• ⛪ Half the blend is Colombana, a rare local white grape said to have been spread by St. Colombano’s monks and uncommon outside this pocket of Pisa hills.
• 🐚 The vineyards sit on soils packed with marine fossils and oyster shells, which the winery credits for the wine’s vibrant minerality.
• ❄️ Winemaking uses a dramatic cryo‑maceration step with solid CO2 to chill the must and lock in fresh citrus and anise aromas before fermentation.
• 🍾 Fattoria Fibbiano positions Fonte delle Donne as a high‑volume signature white for the estate, with the official bottling run listed around 50,000 bottles per vintage.

Palate profile

Producer

Fattoria Fibbiano, located near Terricciola in Tuscany's Era Valley, has a rich history dating back to the 12th century when it was owned by the Gherardi del Testa Barasaglia family. The main farmhouse, constructed in 1707, became the foundation for the Cantoni family's venture in 1997 when Giuseppe Cantoni, along with his wife Tiziana and sons Matteo and Nicola, purchased and revitalized the estate. The property spans approximately 90 hectares, including vineyards, olive groves, and woodlands, and is renowned for cultivating indigenous grape varieties such as Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Vermentino, and Colombana. Emphasizing organic farming practices, Fattoria Fibbiano has become a prominent producer of authentic Tuscan wines, exporting 80% of its production to countries worldwide.