At Basile's there is only one Commander. It is Maremma DOC, Sangiovese and Merlot in equal parts, obtained from the processing of organic grapes harvested from the estate vineyards. We are about 350 metres above sea level. Constant ventilation keeps the grapes healthy, while the correct south-west exposure of the rows guarantees that the sun does its work, bringing the grapes to full ripeness. Harvesting is done by hand, in 18-kilo crates. The grapes are quickly brought to the winery for vinification within about an hour of harvesting. Fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and 15 months of ageing in small French oak barrels, some new and some second-hand. In order to preserve the original characteristics of the wine, bottling is not preceded by any filtration and before being put on sale, it rests for at least two years in the cellar. The result is a red wine with good character, with clear notes of violet, rose, strawberry and maraschino cherry. On the palate it is full and pleasant, with gentle tannins and a pleasant roasted aftertaste.
This is the story of Giovan Battista Basile, a Neapolitan by origin but a Maremman by adoption. In 1999, in fact, he left his native Campania to live a life in the countryside, tending his vines, cradled by the mild climate of the slopes of the ancient Amiata Volcano, in the Tuscan Maremma. At the time, the estate was in a state of abandonment, but Giovan Battista did not give up and within a few years he managed to create a modern organic farm with zero environmental impact. The energy needed to run the farm is produced by a photovoltaic system and the renovation work followed the principles of green building and energy saving. Today the vineyards, which fall within the Montecucco DOCG, cover an area of about 8 hectares, divided between Sangiovese and Merlot, Vermentino, Vionier and Petit Manseng. Harvesting by hand and careful processing in the cellar allow the Basile Organic Farm to produce around 50,000 bottles each year.
Tuscany 
