A bottle of 2021 Istine Chianti Classico DOCG wine from Tuscany, Italy.
A bottle of 2021 Istine Chianti Classico DOCG wine from Tuscany, Italy.
A bottle of 2021 Istine Chianti Classico DOCG wine from Tuscany, Italy.
A bottle of 2021 Istine Chianti Classico DOCG wine from Tuscany, Italy.

Istine Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany, Italy 2021

Istine
Regular price $3200
Regular price Sale price $3200
Save
/
Istine is a young Chianti Classico estate owned by the Fronti family, proudly of farming origins. Built on the family's long experience serving agriculture in Chianti, it has quickly earned a reputation for precise, terroir-driven Sangiovese from distinct single vineyards.
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Istine is one of Chianti Classico's most exciting small estates. Even in a warm vintage their wines keep their lift and energy: more red fruit, herbs and mineral freshness than weight. If you love Chianti that's bright, savory and honest, this belongs in your rotation.

Tasting Notes

"Bright sour cherry and pomegranate with violets, dried oregano and tea leaf. Energetic and lifted, with fine tannins and a stony, savory finish that stays fresh and precise. Pair with ragù, Tuscan soup, mushroom pasta or pecorino." — Harvest Wine Shop

Details

Variety: Sangiovese
Region: Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
Farming Practice: Small-estate farming with a low-intervention approach
Winemaking: Vinified for freshness and clarity, with aging that builds texture without heaviness
Volume: 750ml
Alcohol: 13.5%
Serving Suggestion: Serve at 59–63°F.

Must be 21+ to order wine. Please allow 1–3 business days for wine to ship.
About Istine

FAMILY AND ORIGINS

The winery is relatively young and is owned by the Fronti family, whose origins are proudly peasants.In 1959 Bruno Fronti creates a service business in agriculture, which grows successfully thanks to the collaboration with his sons Fabio and Stefano.Agrichianti is today one of the most established companies in earthmoving, vineyard and green management.After many years in the viticutural business, in 1982 the family buys its first hectares of land, where they plant their vineyards.Today we own about 20 hectares of vineyards, mainly in the municipal area of Radda in Chianti, but also in Gaiole in Chianti. These vineyards are not in a single plot, but in separate parcels.For many years the wine produced with our grapes, except for a small part for family use, is sold in bulk to other wineries, till harvest 2009, when finally we bottle our first wine with our own family label.

ISTINE, THE WINERY

With the introduction of the second generation into the company, it is natural to start our own production in the bottle.The 2009 harvest and the first 3000 bottles of Chianti Classico concretely represent what has always been the great passion for wine, thus integrating and completing the family business.The commitment for the future is to evolve and grow, while remaining faithful to the traditions and to our territory, trying to enhance as much as possible what nature is offering us and the viticultural peculiarities of the highest lands of the Chianti region.We are certified organic since 2016. We believe in respect for nature, for the people working in the vineyard and for those who taste the wine in the glass.

RADDA IN CHIANTI

Radda in Chianti is a charming medieval village, surrounded by towering walls.Located on a slope between the Arbia and Pesa valleys, it has very ancient origins.In its surroundings numerous Etruscan settlements have been found andin fact the names of many places today still recall these ancient origins.Inhabited since the 9th century BC, it is mentioned in a document dated 1002 BC.The town preserves the medieval map, characterized by narrow alleys that lead to the main square of the town,where the Church of San Niccolò is located.Today Radda and its beautiful surroundings have become a popular tourist destination for those who love good wine and nature.It’s a small but very active town; numerous events are organized there,from the passage of the ‘Eroica’, a bicycle race on vintage bicycles, to the well-known festival ‘Radda nel Bicchiere’.
Shipping information

All orders are shipped/delivered, no pickup options. Please track your package using UPS tracking link — someone 21 or older must accept the package. UPS will attempt twice, then will return to us.

To avoid a missed package, you are more than welcome to ship to your local UPS Access Point so that you do not need to sign for the package at home.

Find your UPS Access Point here.
Ask a question

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Join the Harvest Wine Club

Love discovering wines like this? Our wine subscription brings hand-picked bottles from small, family-run producers to your door. Choose a 3, 6 or 12-bottle plan, delivered on your schedule, and pause, skip or cancel any time.

Members also get 15% off everything in the shop and a complimentary SOMM TV subscription.

Explore the Wine Club
Customers also purchased
Recently viewed

Istine: High-Elevation Chianti Classico, Pure Sangiovese, and a New Tuscan Benchmark

A Small Estate with a Big Voice in Modern Chianti

Istine is one of those producers that makes you stop and rethink what Chianti Classico can be. While much of Tuscany still leans into darker fruit, heavy oak, and richer textures, Istine has carved out a very different lane: wines that feel lifted, transparent, and undeniably alive. This is Sangiovese with brightness and energy, built on acidity, savory detail, and real texture rather than power. The estate is small, focused, and deeply intentional, and it has quickly become one of the most exciting names in Chianti Classico for people who love wines that are honest, food-driven, and rooted in place.

Chianti Classico with a Sense of Altitude and Precision

One of the reasons Istine stands out is its natural balance. Chianti Classico can range from rustic to polished to overworked, but Istine’s wines consistently land in that sweet spot: fresh, structured, and clean without feeling sterile. Their fruit tends to show in the red spectrum (sour cherry, pomegranate, wild strawberry) rather than darker, jammy tones, and there’s often a stony, mineral edge that keeps the wines taut and focused. If you love wines that feel like they have “lift,” Istine is a perfect match. The acidity is mouthwatering, the tannins are fine and grippy, and the wines seem to snap into place at the table in a way that makes food taste better.

Farming and Winemaking: Low Drama, High Intention

Istine is part of a wave of modern Tuscan producers who value vineyard health and transparency over cellar tricks. The goal isn’t to manufacture a “style,” but to make Sangiovese taste like the hills it comes from. That means thoughtful farming, careful picking decisions, and winemaking that preserves freshness. The cellar work is restrained and precise, focusing on balance, gentle extraction, and aging that supports structure without masking the grape’s natural character. The result is Chianti Classico that feels clean and authentic, with no heaviness, no gloss, and no sense that anything is being forced.

Style and Why These Wines Matter

Istine is important because it represents a shift in how people are drinking and thinking about Tuscany. Instead of looking for the biggest, boldest versions of Sangiovese, more drinkers are seeking wines with energy, texture, and savory depth. Istine delivers that in spades. These wines are not meant to be background bottles, but they also aren’t “special occasion only.” They’re exactly what Chianti Classico was always meant to be: vibrant, structured, and made for food. They shine with simple meals, Italian staples, and anything involving olive oil, tomatoes, herbs, and grilled meats. They also happen to be some of the best values in fine Italian wine when you consider the quality and precision behind them.

Why Istine Belongs in Your Cart

If you’re shopping for Chianti Classico online and want something that feels authentic but not old-fashioned, Istine is a dream producer. These wines hit the perfect middle ground: serious enough for Nebbiolo lovers and Burgundy drinkers, but joyful and drinkable enough for weeknight dinners. They offer everything we want from Sangiovese: red fruit, savory herbs, fine structure, and freshness that keeps you coming back. Istine is a producer we recommend confidently because it consistently overdelivers and because it represents the future of Tuscan wine done right.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Istine known for?

Istine is known for producing vibrant, terroir-driven Chianti Classico with freshness, mineral lift, and fine structure, made in a modern, transparent style.

2. Where is Istine located?

Istine is located in Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy, with a focus on hillside vineyard sites that preserve freshness and balance.

3. What grape does Istine focus on?

Istine is best known for Sangiovese, the traditional grape of Chianti Classico.

4. What makes Istine different from more traditional Chianti producers?

Istine’s wines are typically brighter, more lifted, and more mineral-driven, with less emphasis on oak and richness and more focus on purity and freshness.

5. Are Istine wines “natural wine”?

Istine is not marketed as extreme natural wine, but the wines align closely with natural wine values: careful farming, restrained cellar work, and transparency over manipulation.

6. What does Chianti Classico taste like when it’s done well?

Bright red fruit, savory herbs, fine tannins, and mouthwatering acidity, with balance and structure built for food.

7. Are Istine wines good for aging?

Yes. While enjoyable young, Istine’s best wines age beautifully thanks to their acidity, tannin structure, and balance.

8. What foods pair best with Istine Chianti Classico?

Tomato-based pasta, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, ragù, pizza, aged cheeses, and herb-forward dishes.

9. Is Istine a small producer?

Yes. Istine is a small, quality-focused estate known for careful farming and precision winemaking.

10. Where can I buy Istine wines online?

You can buy Istine wines online at Harvest Wine Shop San Diego, specializing in small-production Italian wine and authentic, terroir-driven producers.

Back to Shop All Wine