There is no shortage of wineries in the Chianti region of Tuscany. Famous for her wines, with one of the most globally-renowned types of wines on the market bearing her name, Chianti is all about wine, wine culture, and wineries. The landscape of Chianti is just dotted by farmhouses, wineries, vineyards, olive groves, lovely stone towns, and castles and, as such, there is endless choice of places to go to learn about wine in Chianti, to taste wine in Chianti, to buy wine in Chianti, and much more besides. However, one particularly perfect place to do all of the things mentioned above and to do so in the most typically beautiful and typically Chianti of settings is the Castello di Verrazzano winery. Set inside a stunning Chianti castle that is nestled amongst the beautiful landscape of rolling hills blanketed by vineyards and olive groves of the region, the Castello di Verrazzano is both well-respected and utterly gorgeous. It is the ideal place to sip on some delicious Tuscan wines if you have found a luxury villa in Chianti.
The castle is named after the Verrazzano family, originally hailing from Lombardy and famous due to their most notable family member Giovanni da Verrazzano (who was the explorer that discovered the bay of New York and was born in Castello di Verrazzano in 1485), and the name likely derives from the Latin words "verres" (meaning wild boar) and "zona," (meaning place) and translates to the “land of the wild boar.” However, the history of the castle is much older and was originally an Etruscan and then a Roman settlement. The Verrazzano family came into possession of the castle in the 7th century and remained there until the family line ended in 1819. Since then, the castle has passed through several different hands but has been managed by the Florentine Cappellini family since 1958.
The castle is named after the Verrazzano family, originally hailing from Lombardy and famous due to their most notable family member Giovanni da Verrazzano (who was the explorer that discovered the bay of New York and was born in Castello di Verrazzano in 1485), and the name likely derives from the Latin words "verres" (meaning wild boar) and "zona," (meaning place) and translates to the “land of the wild boar.” However, the history of the castle is much older and was originally an Etruscan and then a Roman settlement. The Verrazzano family came into possession of the castle in the 7th century and remained there until the family line ended in 1819. Since then, the castle has passed through several different hands but has been managed by the Florentine Cappellini family since 1958.
In addition to being a seat of local power and noble home, the castle has been home to vineyards for centuries. The “vineyards situated in Verrazzano” are noted in a manuscript held in the abbey of Passignano that dates back to 1150 and so the tradition of winemaking here is ancient and important. Since the Cappellini family took control of the property in the 1950s, the vineyards have been replanted and reinvigorated and now extend across 52 hectares of the total 93 hectares of the estate, stretching from the limit of the woods on the grounds, right across the whole valley that unfolds below the castle.
Mostly growing red varieties of grapes – including Sangiovese, Merlot, Canaiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Colorino – and a small percentage of white grapes – including Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia lunga del Chianti – they produce a Chianti Classico, white, rosè, Vin Santo, and more on the estate today. Using traditional farming methods unique to the Chianti area, alongside improved modern techniques and completely organic fertilisation, the estate combines respect for the environment with the necessary methods to produce delicious, high-quality wines. All of the wines are organic certified, the other produce grown, and products made, on the grounds such as honey, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil are all done so organically, animals are free-range, the estate is powered using energy from certificated renewable sources, and it is heated with wood coming from their own forest. Sustainability is key here.
Mostly growing red varieties of grapes – including Sangiovese, Merlot, Canaiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Colorino – and a small percentage of white grapes – including Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia lunga del Chianti – they produce a Chianti Classico, white, rosè, Vin Santo, and more on the estate today. Using traditional farming methods unique to the Chianti area, alongside improved modern techniques and completely organic fertilisation, the estate combines respect for the environment with the necessary methods to produce delicious, high-quality wines. All of the wines are organic certified, the other produce grown, and products made, on the grounds such as honey, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil are all done so organically, animals are free-range, the estate is powered using energy from certificated renewable sources, and it is heated with wood coming from their own forest. Sustainability is key here.
In addition to all of this, you just can’t compete the beauty of historic Castello di Verrazzano itself and the breath-taking views that it offers over the Val di Greve. This is one of the prettiest wineries in all of Italy. So, if you have found a vacation rental in Chiant and you are looking for a winery to visit, make it this sustainable winery in Chianti that is also incredibly historic and lovely, and boasts some excellent wines. For great wine tours in Chianti, great vineyard tours in Chianti, great wine tastings in Chianti, and much more besides, be sure to head to Castello di Verrazzano in Tuscany.
