Istine
VISIT THIS PRODUCER'S WEBSITE
LOCATE ON GOOGLE MAPS
A CREAM IMPORT SELECTION
Country of Origin: Italy
Location: Radda
People: Angela Fronti, Owner & Winemaker
Viticulture: Certified Organic
Items
Istine is rapidly emerging as a benchmark for terroir-driven Chianti Classico.
Angela Fronti is one of the most thoughtful and quietly influential voices in Chianti Classico today. As owner and winemaker of Istine, she represents a new generation deeply rooted in tradition yet unafraid to challenge convention—drawing inspiration from icons such as Montevertine and Le Boncie, producers who famously redefined the boundaries of Chianti Classico.
Angela’s story begins in the vineyard. For decades, the Fronti family developed and managed sites for some of Tuscany’s most respected estates, cultivating a deep understanding of place long before producing their first vintage in 2009. At Istine, that experience informs a singular philosophy: site first, always. Rather than planting around a homestead, the family sought out exceptional, high-altitude parcels across Radda and Gaiole.
Certified organic since 2016, Istine’s vineyards are surrounded by forest and defined by the fractured soils that give Chianti Classico its signature precision. Today, she also has vineyards in Lamole and Vagliagli, now totaling approximately 25 hectares. Each site offers a distinct expression of Sangiovese, shaped by elevation, galestro and granite soils, and a landscape that naturally preserves freshness, structure, and acidity, even in the warmer vintages.
Angela has been a leading voice in elevating vineyard identity within the appellation, advocating for single-vineyard expressions and a more meaningful framework for Gran Selezione. Today, she serves on the Chianti Classico regulatory board, helping shape the future of the region.
About the Name: The name “Istine” is believed to derive from ischio, an Italian term rooted in the Latin aesculus. Historically, this word referred to certain types of trees, including oak (Quercus pedunculata) and small, densely branched shrubs such as wild olive or privet (Ligustrum vulgare). Over time, ischio evolved linguistically into istio and eventually Istine, likely referencing the estate’s wooded setting.
Media Links
Wine Spectator: New-Generation Chianti Classico: Istine
Percorsi di Vino: Istine, il Chianti Classico di Radda