Il Molino di Grace

The vineyards at Il Molino di Grace have produced wine for over 350 years, originally managed by local monks. American entrepreneur Frank Grace founded the estate in 1995, with the winery building completed in 1997. The name references a 19th-century historic windmill still standing on the property. The first commercial wines were released in 2002, and the estate has since grown into one of Panzano in Chianti's most respected producers.

• Vineyards have been cultivated for over 350 years, originally by local monks
• Frank Grace founded the estate in 1995; winery built 1997
• First wines released in 2002
• Named for a 19th-century windmill remaining on the property

Il Molino di Grace achieved organic certification in 2010 and operates as a biodynamic winery. All farming is done by hand, including harvesting, and the estate plows only once every three years to preserve soil structure. No synthetic inputs are used anywhere on the estate; all fertilizer is organic and fermentation relies on indigenous yeasts. The winery uses vine cuttings to fuel its heating and air conditioning systems, eliminating natural gas use entirely. As a founding member of the Panzano Wine Producers Association, the estate helped establish Italy's first fully organic and biodynamic wine district and has played a pioneering role in influencing other Tuscan producers toward sustainable practices.

• Certified organic since 2010; biodynamic winery practices
• Hand harvesting; minimal plowing once every three years
• Indigenous yeast fermentation; zero synthetic inputs
• Vine cuttings fuel winery heating and cooling, replacing gas entirely

The estate sits in Panzano in Chianti within the Chianti Classico DOCG zone, with vineyards ranging from 280 to 450 meters elevation on south-facing slopes. Soils are dominated by galestro, the crumbly clay-limestone marl typical of Chianti Classico, alongside alberese. The Mediterranean climate combined with the altitude and aspect provides temperate conditions with strong diurnal temperature variation, ideal for retaining acidity in Sangiovese.

• Elevation: 280 to 450 meters above sea level
• Soils: galestro (clay-limestone marl) and alberese
• South-facing slopes with Mediterranean climate
• 33 hectares of DOCG and IGT vineyards within 62-hectare estate

Il Molino di Grace produces Chianti Classico at the standard, Riserva, and Gran Selezione levels, with all Chianti Classico wines made from 100% Sangiovese. The estate also grows Canaiolo, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, used in IGT and Super Tuscan production including the Gratius bottling. Winemaking was long guided by Franco Bernabei; the estate is currently managed by Iacopo Morganti. Annual production stands at approximately 150,000 bottles.

• 100% Sangiovese for all Chianti Classico DOCG wines
• Range covers standard, Riserva, and Gran Selezione tiers
• Gratius is the estate's Super Tuscan IGT offering
• Grapes also include Canaiolo, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah