Roberto Moretti was a practicing physician when wine kidnapped him. On a small farm in the hills outside Florence, he found something that demanded the same precision and care as medicine -- and a great deal more patience.
Backstory
Roberto and his wife Lucia Mori purchased Podere Casaccia in 1999 with a vision of restoring the land and its old vines. The estate in Scandicci had been largely neglected, with ancient Tuscan varieties struggling to survive. Roberto and Lucia began recuperating vines that were 60 years old and more, including nearly forgotten local grapes that had no commercial market. Roberto immersed himself in biodynamic agriculture, finding it the only approach that could reconcile deep respect for tradition with forward-looking care for the land. He maintains his medical practice alongside the estate.
The Region
Scandicci sits in the Chianti Colli Fiorentini zone, just a few kilometres southwest of Florence in the Arno Valley hills. The area is less celebrated than Chianti Classico to the south but shares the same fundamental assets: Galestro and alberese soils, good altitude, and the natural acidity that comes with a cooler Apennine-influenced microclimate. Podere Casaccia lies within reach of the city yet feels worlds away, surrounded by woods, olive groves, and terraced vineyards.
Vineyards and Farming
The 12-hectare Podere Casaccia property encompasses vines, olive trees, woodland, and a small flock of geese, ducks, and chickens whose manure feeds the compost cycle. Vineyard age averages 40 to 50 years, with old clones of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Giacche, Malvasia Nera, Trebbiano, and Malvasia Bianca. No chemical fertilisers, pesticides, or herbicides have been used here for many years. Roberto applies biodynamic preparations and manages all stages from pruning to harvest personally. Copper and sulfur are used in minimal quantities when necessary.
Winemaking
Podere Casaccia harvests exclusively by hand. In the cellar, vinification proceeds spontaneously with only native yeasts. Wines are not clarified or filtered before bottling. Roberto's medical background shows in the cleanliness and precision of the cellar work, even as the philosophy remains resolutely natural.
The Wines
The range includes single-variety expressions of Sangiovese (Priscus), Canaiolo, Malvasia Nera, Foglia Tonda, and Pugnitello, as well as the Sine Felle Chianti DOCG Riserva, white and amber blends, a Sangiovese rosato, passito wines, a Sine Felle Vermouth Rosso, and a metodo classico sparkling wine. Across the lineup, the wines share a restrained, mineral quality that reflects both the hilltop terroir and Roberto's unhurried, precise approach to winemaking.
