Winery Overview
Rocca di Castagnoli is an ancient medieval fortress. Throughout its history, it was owned by numerous noble families, including the Tempi (whose coat of arms still represents the company) and the Ricasoli. Located in the Gaiole district of Chianti, vast extensions of vineyard land extend into the Castellina district of Chianti Classico on a hill once frequented by the Etruscans. In 1924, Rocca di Castagnoli became part of the farms that form the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium. To this day, Rocca di Castagnoli may be the Classico’s largest estate in acreage planted to vine. The farm covers about 2,100 acres with elevation profiles ranging from 380 meters to 860 meters (Colle di Monte Luco). There are 227 acres of vines, predominantly Sangiovese. The soil, Galestro, is a compacted form of clay which contains high amounts of minerals. Today Rocca di Castagnoli is the only estate developing new head-pruned Sangiovese vineyards in the Classico region. While the cellars of the medieval fortress were used for aging in wood, they created a barrique cellar consisting of the best French oak to create wines with great personality, complexity, and balance. Owned by the Cali family, this estate has shown great integrity by aiming at a vineyard distinction on each label, to document the variety of soils and microclimates that make the Chianti Classico so famous.