Pietraviva is the name of a viticultural sub-region in the Arno Valley, Tuscany. It means, literally translated, 'living rock'. Although awarded its very own Pietraviva DOC in 2005, it was later subsumed as part of the new Valdarno (Val d'Arno) DOC created in 2011. Both Valdarno and its two sub-regions (Pietraviva and Pratomagna) are members of an ever-growing number of Italian DOCs which cover a vineyard area rather than a particular wine style. While a very traditional, highly specific wine DOC such as Brunello di Montalcino represents both the provenance and style of its wine, Pietraviva is more akin to an Australian-style GI (Geographical Indication) or an American AVA (American Viticultural Area).
Pietraviva wines retain a strong element of their Tuscan nature through the grape varieties used. As is the case all across Tuscany, Sangiovese and Trebbiano are out in force in the area's vineyards, and form vital components of the standard white Pietraviva Bianco and the red Pietraviva Rosso. Along with Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo are two classic Tuscan varieties that can be used for varietal winemaking. The single-variety whites are best exemplified by Malvasia Bianca. The more modern, forward-looking element of this DOC's wine portfolio is that it uses such popular 'international' grapes as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot alongside the traditional, indigenous varieties. Each of these three is also sanctioned for use in varietal wines, bringing the Pietraviva wine spectrum more into line with the demands of modern wine consumers.
The communes covered by the Pietraviva title are Bucine, Cavriglia, Civitella, Valdichiana, Montevarchi and Pegine Valdarno. This area is to be found in the east of Tuscany's northern Arezzo province, just south of Arezzo town. The official Pietraviva viticultural area overlaps slightly in the north with that of the Chianti Colli Aretini DOC and substantially with the Valdichiana zone. The Chiana Valley (the Valdichiana) bisects this zone from north to south, although the Chiana is in fact a man-made canal rather than one of Tuscany's many rivers. The Valdichiana area has long been held in high regard as a source of quality wines, to the extent that it was granted its own DOC in 1972.
