Castello Monterinaldi wine estate

The Castle of Monterinaldi is situated between Panzano and Radda in Chianti, in the heart of the oldest historical area of the Chianti Classico. As regards the history of this ancient place, a document written in December 1010, refers to “Count Gottifredo Gottizio, of Lombardic descent and Lord of Monterinaldi.” The castle stood until 1268, when the Sienese, following the victory of the battle of Montaperti, destroyed its boundary walls, the main tower and the three house of the castle. Due to the last destruction during the World War II, only a part of it is still standing surrounded by some ancient houses. The castle of Monterinaldi is at present the center of the homonymous farm whose wine-making activity is based at the La Pesanella, not far from the castle. The Agricola Monterinaldi, property of the Ciampi family since 1961, is one of the most modern farms in the wine testing sector.

Eighteen single Vineyards, 38 terroirs, 55 hectares, as self contained as a turtle: Sangiovese of different clones, Canaiolo, Colorino, Malvasia Nera, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Gamay, Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Cabernet-Franc, Malvasia Bianca, Trebbiano, Chardonnay. Density is 5000 vines per hectare. And an Antebellum nursery. You’ll be at ease in our shell and the voice of the turtle will be heard in your land.

The grapes are processed entirely in the cellar, where the wines are also stored and aged. There is a tunnel leading from the original cellar, located beneath the owner’s house, into the main area where nearly all the winemaking activities take place. Chianti Classico is aged first in barrels (both French oak tonneaux and barriques) and then refined in bottles, for a period ranging from 6 months to 2 years. The old underground cellar is particularly suitable for aging wines: a large room has been fashioned from the interior to provide ideal accommodation for 150 French barriques. Adjacent to the cellar is the “orciaia”, where extra-virgin olive oil is preserved in old terracotta jars.