Cacchiano

Located in the district's Southeastern corner near Gaiole and the Monti subzone, Castello di Cacchiano is an ancient estate with equally ancient winemaking tradition.

Overview

The most internationally acclaimed wine production area of Tuscany, Chianti Classico boasts a rich history that can be rivaled by few other growing zones. First outlined by the Grand Dukes of Tuscany in 1716, the zone was expanded in 1922 and 1932 to encompass its current nine villages that straddle the provinces of Siena and Florence. The region has become home to some of Italy's finest Sangiovese, complex wines that can compete with the best Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Constructed in the time of Charlemagne as a fortress to protect the nearby city of Florence, the estate has been controlled by the Ricasoli family since the 10th century. Transformed into a villa and farm during the Renaissance, the estate has cultivated wines since 1141. Today run by Baron Giovanni Ricasoli Firidolfi, the estate's 32 hectares of vineyards are planted to the zone's historic grape varieties - Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino, and both variations of Malvasia. A vineyard of Merlot, Fontermerlano, has been added for the production of a stellar "Super Tuscan" wine, and further innovative work has been undertaken on a Metodo Classico bottling of Sangiovese.