Querceto di Castellina “Livia” 2022

The Land

“Livia” from in the sun-drenched hills of Castellina in Chianti, at the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico zone. Querceto di Castellina’s vineyards sit between 420 and 500 meters above sea level, where the interplay of elevation, diurnal shifts, and the Galestro-rich soils—a brittle mix of marl and limestone—fosters elegance and tension in the fruit. The surrounding woodlands and organic farming practices preserve biodiversity and balance, creating a microclimate that supports slow ripening and vibrant natural acidity. Here, in the rolling hills where ancient oaks meet vine rows, Sangiovese reveals its most graceful form.

The Wine

The only white wine produced at Querceto di Castellina, Livia 2022 is a rare Tuscan expression of two French varieties—Viognier and Roussanne—named for the family’s Franco-Italian granddaughter. The label bears her tiny footprint from infancy, but what’s inside the bottle is anything but delicate. The wine glints pale gold, opening with graceful aromas of peach preserves, apricot, and white rose. On the palate, Viognier’s opulence meets Roussanne’s quiet structure in a blend that feels both luxurious and lifted. Aged for 12 months in a mix of stainless steel (70%) and French oak tonneaux (30%), it offers subtle layers of vanilla bean and almond beneath the ripe stone fruit. Thanks to the vineyard’s altitude and cool nights, the wine holds onto a vibrant core of acidity, delivering freshness even at its ripest. Elegant, textural, and quietly complex—Livia is a white wine with depth and a story all its own.

The People

At the helm of Querceto di Castellina are Laura and Jacopo Di Battista, a mother-son team rooted in tradition but guided by a forward-thinking, organic approach. “Livia” is named in honor of Jacopo’s daughter—an emblem of new life and a fresh perspective. Hand-harvested fruit, native yeast fermentations, and a philosophy of minimal intervention speak to their belief that great wine is made in the vineyard, not the cellar.