Casanuova di Nittardi “Vigna Doghessa”
The Nittardi Chianti Classico 2023 meets the art of Chun Kwang Young
Castellina in Chianti, January 2026 – For over four decades, each vintage of Chianti Classico ‘Casanuova di Nittardi’ has borne two signatures: one from the vineyards and cellars of Nittardi, and one from the studio of a renowned artist. The first belongs to the Nittardiani, whose precise work in the vineyard and cellar shapes the character of the wine. The second comes from an artist who creates the label and the wrapping paper that adorns the bottle each year, keeping the connection between wine and art alive.
The grapes for Casanuova di Nittardi grow in the Vigna Doghessa, a vineyard located at 450 metres above sea level with soils of Galestro and Alberese, whose stony structure gives the wine finesse, elegance, depth and mineral clarity.
‘Wine is a living work of art,’ says Peter Femfert, gallery owner and founder of Nittardi together with his wife Stefania Canali. ‘A great wine and a great work of art are more than just a product – they are an expression of culture, passion and emotion.’
South Korean artist Chun Kwang Young, internationally renowned for his poetic paper works created from thousands of hand-folded fragments, was invited to create the artwork for the 2023 vintage. His compositions blend tradition and zeitgeist, Eastern philosophy and Western aesthetics.
‘My works consist of countless small elements that together form a harmonious whole – just as in wine, many different nuances come together to create a perfect unity,’ explains the artist. His label for the Casanuova di Nittardi 2023 reflects this principle: organic shapes, gentle colour nuances and a subtle dialogue between light and shadow, between matter and emotion.
The 2023 vintage
‘2023 was a year of contrasts,’ recalls Léon Femfert, who manages the wine estate. ‘A mild winter and a rainy spring demanded a lot from us – we had to work extra carefully to bring home healthy grapes. The summer was then warm and balanced. The result is grapes of exceptional balance and clear aromatic precision.’ The quality of the vintage is outstanding, even if the quantity was slightly lower than in previous years. The Casanuova di Nittardi 2023 is bright ruby red in colour, with aromas of cherry, raspberry and violet, complemented by subtle herbal and spicy notes. On the palate, it is silky, clean and mineral, with soft tannins and a long finish – a classic Chianti Classico with modern finesse.
In addition to the regular Casanuova di Nittardi from the Vigna Doghessa, a special selection of the best grapes from the vineyard was made for the 2023 vintage. These parties were fermented and matured separately and are now bottled for the first time as Casanuova di Nittardi Chianti Classico Riserva in a strictly limited magnum edition. The artist created a third, specially designed work of art for this purpose, which was applied to the magnum with a label in embossed print – a total work of art combining wine, material and idea.
The artist
Chun Kwang Young, born in South Korea in 1944, is one of Asia’s most important contemporary artists. His famous series Aggregations consists of countless small parcels, each individually wrapped in handmade Hanji paper and formed into three-dimensional compositions. His works are represented in renowned museums such as the British Museum, the Seoul Museum of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Chun’s art stands for patience, balance and inner harmony – values that also characterise Nittardi’s philosophy.
The Nittardi Winery
Nittardi cultivates 40 hectares of vineyards between Castellina in Chianti and the Maremma. The winery has been certified organic since 2014. Its portfolio includes the Chianti Classico ‘Nittardi’ Gran Selezione, the ‘Casanuova di Nittardi’ Vigna Doghessa, and the Maremma wines ‘Ad Astra’, ‘Nectar Dei’, ‘BEN’ and ‘Cosmo’.
In the 16th century, the estate belonged to Michelangelo Buonarroti, who sent Nittardi wine to Pope Paul III in Rome – a symbol of the deep-rooted connection between art and wine that still characterises the heart of the estate today.
