We “discovered” San Felice Toscana A.D. 714 wines several years ago, so when we had the opportunity to meet and have lunch with their Head Winemaker Francesca Giuggioli for the San Felice Chianti Classico estate, in New York City at Peasant Restaurant owned by Chef Marc Forgione, of course we said “si, grazie.” Discussing San Felice wines with Francesca, paired with delectable Italian cuisine was the perfect way to spend a Monday afternoon learning about their wine over enjoyable conversation. Saluti!
While Peasant Restaurant is normally only open for dinner, they do host private parties for lunch, and on Monday, March 2, 2026, we had the pleasure of having lunch at Chef Marc Forgione’s restaurant in the Nolita section of Manhattan, in their downstairs wine bar, where dried basil and dill garlands garnished the beams, wine racks overflowed with Italian wines, and an antique rake provided an interesting focal point on the ceiling.
Francesca Giuggioli Head Winemaker San Felice Toscana A.D. 714 Wines
San Felice wines are always wonderful, however when paired with excellent food, the experience becomes more enhanced. The lunch began with a Welcome from Head Winemaker Francesca Giuggioli, who has been an integral part of San Felice since 2008, and her appointment as Head Winemaker was not only a natural progression, but also a nod to her talent, expertise, and passion for winemaking.
Some of the interesting topics discussed over lunch included their research and experimental grape approach to bring back and revive forgotten grapes like Pugnitello, as well as using new methods and models to preserve the soil. Healthy soil = balanced wine. Thirty-five years ago, their research began with taking grapes on the verge of extinction, harvesting them, and ultimately crafting amazing wines with them. San Felice is very involved in biodiversity, and their wines are Bio-Certified, and have Sustainable labels. For Francesca, she said that caring about the soil, production, and agriculture in a very respectful way is not just for her benefit, but for her daughter’s benefit and for future generations.
San Felice Toscana A.D. 714 Menu at Peasant Restaurant
Debra C. Argen enjoying In Avane Chardonnay Tuscana IGT 2023
Welcome Glass of Wine
In Avane Chardonnay Toscana IGT 2023
The designation IGT = Indicazione Georgrafica Tipica, refers to the geographic location, in this instance, Tuscany.
The first wine to welcome us was San Felice’s In Avane Chardonnay Toscana IGT 2023, made with 88% Chardonnay and 12% Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. This medium body wine was aged for 12 months in a mixture of 30% oak and 70% stainless steel, with 12.5% alcohol. “In Avane is the finest expression of Chardonnay from San Felice” and had floral, fruity, and honey notes, and a balanced, delicious finish.
Appetizers
Caesar Salad garlic bread, parmigiano
Di Palo Burrata cherry tomato, basil pesto
Tartar ½ sirloin, chili, crostini
Caesar Salad Garlic Bread & Parmigiano
Appetizers Wine Pairing
Borgo Chianti Classico DOCG 2022, made with 88% Sangiovese and 12% Pugnitello, with 13.5% Alcohol. Interesting to note about Pugnitello grapes are that they are an ancient grape variety with small fist shaped bunches of grapes and is linked to San Felice’s research. The combination of the Sangiovese and Pugnitello give the wine its character and structure, along with a sense of terroir delivering freshness, as well as fruity aromas and floral notes.
The Borgo Chianti Classico DOCG 2022 was well matched with each of the appetizers, especially the Tartar which was presented under a homemade puffed bread made with 7-year-old sourdough starter. Also nice was the creamy Di Palo Burrata which was delightful foil for the wine, and the crisp Caesar salad.
First Course
Rigatoni alla vodka, basil breadcrumb
Bucatini carbonara, smoked egg yolk, guanciale
Bucantini Carbonara
Interesting Note: Breadcrumbs were often added when people did not have cheese, and then later evolved to becoming actual recipes created around them.
First Course Wine Pairing
Pugnitello Toscana IGT 2022, made with 100% Pugnitello, with 13% alcohol. This was a complex wine with originality, aromatic, softness, and a lingering finish, and paired especially well with the spicy Rigatoni, and also worked its magic against the creamy Bucatini.
Main Course
Snowdance Farms Chicken
Wood fired Piedmontese steak
Snowdance farms chicken
Seasonal Vegetables
Wood Fired Piedmontese Steak
Main Course Wine Pairing
La Pieve Gran Selezione DOCG 2021 Castelnuovo Berardenga, made with Sangiovese grapes, had a deep ruby color, heady aromatics with violet, black current, and sweet tobacco-like spiciness. Full-bodied with ripe juicy tannins, and 14% alcohol, it was a perfect companion for the steak, chicken, and grilled seasonal vegetables.
Dessert
Saba ganache brownies, wood-fired seasonal fruit crisp, & seasonal cookies
Dessert Wine Pairing
Belcaro Vin Santo DOC 2015 Del Chianti Classico
Belcaro Vin Santo DOC 2015 Del Chianti Classico was made with Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes harvested at the beginning of October, set to dry on cane mats until December, then softly pressed with the musts fermented slowly and refined for 5 years in small oak barrels. 16% alcohol, with a rich amber color, aromatic notes of almonds, apricot, and honey. Vin Santo is the quintessential essence of Tuscan style and elegance and is typically accompanied by Cantucci biscuits (almond biscotti) that are dipped in the Vin santo or espresso.
For the Vin Santo pairing, the restaurant presented a decadent selection of desserts, rich chocolatey brownies with ganache garnish, a fruit crisp served warm with vanilla ice cream, marzipan and pignoli cookies, and traditional Cantucci biscuits.
For those attending the luncheon who were new to the elegance and style of San Felice wines it was the perfect introduction; for those of us already familiar with the excellence and high quality of San Felice wines, it was a very enjoyable afternoon spent with a very dear friend.
Until next time, cheers and Bon Appetit!
San Felice Toscana A.D. 714 Information
For more information on San Felice and their impressive collection of wines, please visit their website: www.sanfelice.com
You might also like to read our other features on San Felice wines: San Felice La Pieve Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2021, San Felice Pugnitello Toscana IGT 2021, San Felice Borgo Chianti Classico DOCG 2022, San Felice In Avane, Chardonnay, 2023, Toscana, Italy, and San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG 2021.
San Felice
Società Agricola San Felice S.p.A.
Località San Felice, 53019 Castelnuovo Berardegna (Siena)
Italy
Telephone: +39-0577-39911
Fax: +39-0577-359223
Email: info@sanfelice.com
Website: www.sanfelice.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SanFeliceOfficial
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/sanfelice_official @sanfelice_official
For more information on San Felice and their impressive collection of wines, please visit their website: www.sanfelice.com
San Felice wines are imported by Total Beverage Solution, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Total Beverage Solution
Website: www.TotalBeverageSolution.com
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/tbsbrands/?hl=en @tbsbrands
Peasant Restaurant Information
Peasant Restaurant
194 Elizabeth Street
New York, New York 10012
United States
Telephone: +1-212-965-9511
Website: https://www.peasantnyc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peasantnyc/ @peasantnyc
Peasant Restaurant Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 pm until 9:30 pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 5:00 pm until 10:30 pm.
For more information on Peasant Restaurant, please visit the website at: https://www.peasantnyc.com/
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