The old farm where the Azienda Agricola Pakravan-Papi stands nowadays was a land of wine, in a distant and forgotten past. The changes brought about by the second World War obliterated it to the point of abandon, like most of the surrounding countryside. Soon Mediterranean scrubland took over.

It was a great challenge for the new owners to rediscover and restore its true vocation, making good use of modern technology without damaging tradition and environment. The pre-conditions for the culture of wine grapes were all present: a micro-climate of sunshine and sea breeze, the complexity and variety of highly mineral soils, the gentle and well orientated slopes. A talented agronomist helped the owners to examine each aspect from the start – which variety, where and how – and shape a global project.

Gabbriccio , the pure strain wine born from clones of “sangiovese piccolo”, on a typical soil of clay and cobbles, has a deep red color, unusual for this variety, ample aromas in which the spicy does not prevail on the red fruit, rich structure and good acidity that ensures a long life in the bottle.

The choice of Bordeaux grapes was unavoidable, abundantly confirmed by their success in nearby Bolgheri. Vineyards of these varieties were implanted on south-oriented fields, well drained soils formed by weathered and crushed volcanic rock of high mineral content that do not allow for a big production. Hence the need for low density (5500 stocks per hectare) in order to protect the vitality of the plants, already under stress for lack of water.

The Merlot thus obtained presents such a wealth of aroma and structure that a pure strain wine seemed the best choice: Beccacciaia , now a favorite, was born.
Cancellaia, expresses the depth, refinement and austerity of Cabernet - Sauvignon and Franc - the spicy and herbal aromas typical of the great Bordeaux blends.

The biggest challenge was to implant different qualities of white grapes under the sun of Tuscany. After identifying the right field, calcareous of soil and exposed to the Tramontana, the integration of local tradition to that of Burgundy winemakers produced "Serra de' Cocci . A wine that evokes the elegance of the Chardonnays for which Chablis is famous, with a Mediterranean touch given by the Malvasia Toscana. A structured and creamy white, thanks to the batonnage of the lees in oak barriques. Valdimare , a Riesling d’Alsace grown on an uplifted marine soil, combines the freshness of Alsatian wines with the structure bestowed by the Mediterranean sun. Malvasia Toscana , harvested at an early stage of maturity, a wine of delicate fragrance, recalls the traditions of our region.

The Pakravan-Papi wine farm expresses a true “terroir” because of its limited extension and very specific soils. It will grow not in size, but in quality and innovation, with due respect both to the authentic character of the environment and to the refinement of age-old local traditions in viticulture. These are binding conditions for the production of great wines.