The medieval village of Castello d'Albola stands on top of the splendid Chianti hills in the borough of Radda in Chianti; it is quite unique for its fascinating history, works of art and unique position in such a wonderful agricultural landscape of unsurpassed harmony. It has belonged to some of the most aristocratic families in Tuscany, from the Acciaioli, the Samminiati and the Pazzi to the Ginori Conti, until, in 1979, it became the property of the Zonin family, which has devoted constant care to the estate for over thirty years.
Pride, ambition and investments have been the necessary and essential leitmotifs in the achievement of Castello d'Albola’s prestige and reputation. The production area, one of its most significant stylistic elements, did the rest; soil, climate, temperature, exposure and altitude create a union of features that, blended together, make it possible to obtain the excellence and character of the farm wines. Albola is characterised by its two different geological types of soil, limestone and marl, whose combination, apart from ensuring excellent soil drainage, gives a special flavour and minerality to the wines. The historic vineyards of Castello d'Albola, which represent a lode of quality for the estate, lie at altitudes ranging between 350 and 650 metrea a.s.l., and receive the light, as they say in the Chianti, "from sun to sun ".

The name of one of the most symbolic vineyards is "Il Solatio" (Sunny position), which is planted on a stony soil and up a breathtaking slope, between 550 and 580 metres a.s.l. Wine experts may appreciate the fact that the history of Albola could perhaps start from the words written by Emanule Repetti (1841) in the physical geographical Dictionary of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany; he says "To be precise this hill of Albola is famed for its vineyards, which perhaps produce the best wines in Chianti".

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Villa di Albola

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The Castello della Tenuta dates back to the 12th century, while the medieval village was built in the fifteenth century by the noble family of Acciaioli, owner of the castle like other noble Tuscan families: the Samminiati, the Pazzi and the Ginori Conti.
A large park extends around the villa of Castello d'Albola and a long and evocative avenue of cypresses in a double row frames the elegant façade. In the surrounding walls are still visible medieval traces and on the altar of the chapel of San Giuseppe there is an incision that shows the demolition of the old houses of the Acciaioli.
In the Castle, to witness its precious tradition, are kept thousands of bottles of Chianti Classico, produced in the estate itself. In addition to the vineyards, in Castello d'Albola there are 4,000 olive trees, from which a perfumed and intense extra virgin olive oil is produced, a concentrate of the fragrant and luxuriant Chianti lands. The Castello d'Albola, in this territory crossed by rows of vines and cypresses, olive groves, castles, fortresses, villas and ancient farmhouses, is the ideal place to live an unforgettable experience in the most authentic Chianti.
There are two splendid historic houses that the Castle offers for an unforgettable stay: the first is Villa Le Marangole, which between its eighteenth-century walls is able to accommodate twelve people in 7 rooms equipped with every service and comfort. The second is Villa Crognole, a carefully restored 1400 building, where up to six people can stay.
Every year the Castle is visited by over 25 thousand people and the hospitality program includes guided tours of the historic cellars followed by the inevitable tasting sessions.

https://www.histouring.com

Castello d'Albola

Il castello di San Donato in Perano si trova nell'omonima località nella parte settentrionale del territorio comunale di Gaiole in Chianti, in provincia di Siena.
Storia
Il castello venne edificato nel corso del X secolo nei pressi della preesistente cappella di San Donato, su un'area collinare dove erano ubicati preesistenti insediamenti di epoca etrusca e romana.

Il complesso architettonico divenne una struttura militare strategica con funzioni difensive nell'area di confine tra il territorio fiorentino in cui rientrava e quello senese, per poi essere trasformato in fattoria fortificata nel corso della seconda metà del Cinquecento a seguito della definitiva caduta della Repubblica di Siena e la sua definitiva annessione al Granducato di Toscana.

Acquistato dagli Strozzi nel corso della seconda metà del Cinquecento a seguito della dismissione della struttura militare, il complesso venne trasformato in fattoria agricola rimanendo in possesso della famiglia fiorentina fino al 1967, anno in cui è passato di proprietà ad un'azienda agricola.

Descrizione
Il complesso, parzialmente cinto da mura rivestite in pietra con coronamento sommitale, si presenta come una villa seicentesca a pianta rettangolare che si articola su tre livelli, a seguito degli interventi di ristrutturazione effettuati dopo la dismissione della struttura militare. Una cappella privata venne realizzata al piano nobile dell'edificio padronale, mentre all'esterno venne realizzato un giardino all'italiana davanti al fronte meridionale del complesso architettonico.

Attorno all'edificio padronale, furono edificati altri corpi di fabbrica dopo la trasformazione del complesso in fattoria agricola.

Castello di San Donato in Perano

About two kilometers from Gaiole in Chianti stands the ancient Castello di Meleto, built in the 11th century by Benedictine monks from the nearby Badia di Coltibuono. Later it became the property of a feudal lord known as Guardellotto who, following conflicts with the emperor Frederick I Barbarossa saw himself stripped of all his possessions including the fort. Towards the middle of the thirteenth century, a time when the ancient cassero built in the center of the castle dates back to, the property passes into the hands of a branch of the Ricasoli-Firidolfi, which will be called "da Meleto" or "Meletesi".

Strategically positioned on the underlying road between Valdarno and Chianti over the centuries the castle was the protagonist of numerous wars without suffering serious damage. In 1478 the Aragonese army, an ally of Siena, took possession of the manor but only two years later it was expelled by the Florentine armies that carried out substantial work to strengthen the defensive structures, still visible today. After the war periods during the 1700s the structure was transformed into a villa and therefore its defenses dismantled: the interiors still have the appearance dating back to this period, with frescoed and decorated rooms and a picturesque theater from 1742 equipped with its original scenery.


Today the village of Castello di Meleto offers itself as an exclusive location where to spend a peaceful and relaxing stay, being able to choose to stay in the farmhouses, renovated in 1998, for privacy-filled holidays, or in the B&B rooms arranged between the Castle and the Casa Canonica. Guests have access to two infinity pools, the first in the garden of the castle and the second, with salt water, next to the villa casanova, both equipped with umbrellas and deck chairs for moments of absolute tranquility.


A few hundred meters away is the restaurant "La Fornace di Meleto", where the protagonists are the dishes of the rich Tuscan gastronomic tradition such as the Pici, the Fiorentina and the delicious Tiramisù.

The history of the Castle is also marked by weddings that took place over the years among the representatives of the noble families and today as yesterday it lends itself to become the setting for ceremonies and events with a unique charm. Guests can enjoy the frescoed rooms of the Piano Nobile, the garden and the panoramic terrace overlooking the gentle Chianti hills and the Scuderia where to celebrate with music and dancing. A small private chapel capable of holding about 20 people lends itself to religious weddings with an intimate atmosphere, while for a greater number of guests it is possible to choose the Pieve di Santa Maria in Spaltenna, just 2 km from the Castle.

Among the approximately one thousand hectares of land that extend around the village, about 125 are cultivated with vines, mainly finding the Chianti Classico DOCG but also Cabernet, Merlot and Vermentino. You cannot miss taking part in one of the guided tours of the Castello di Meleto, including the ancient underground cellar, ending with a tasting of the wines produced on the estate.

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Castello di Meleto 

Castello di Ama is located about 12 miles northeast of Siena in the hills of Gaiole. This is the heart of Chianti Classico, a bucolic rolling landscape of woods, vineyards and olive groves.

Historically this is Etruscan country. The first references to the region’s wines date back to 998. In the 11th century, Ama was the beneficiary of several privileges granted by the Holy Roman Emperors Henry VI and Otto IV. The Castello di Ama later became part of the holdings of the Firidolfi family. It was destroyed during the 15th-century Aragonese invasion. In the early 18th century, the remains of the fortress were restructured into two residences, owned by the Pianigiani and Ricucci families. In his 1773 famous “Relazione sul Governo della Toscana”, the Grand Duke Peter Leopold, Governor of Tuscany, describes the region of Ama with great admiration, as a magnificent area with deep winegrowing roots.

The modern era of Castello di Ama began about 35 years ago with the replanting of the estate vineyard. Of the 260 hectares comprising the estate nearly 90 hectares are planted to vines and 40 to olives. This site itself is spectacular – a rounded hilltop set 1600 feet above sea level. It has perfect southern exposure and the clay-calcareous soils that are considered ideal for Sangiovese, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir

In 1982, management of the property was given to Marco Pallanti, an up-and-coming young agronomist who went on to become one of the most respected winemakers in Tuscany. Marco launched a ten-year research project to determine the site’s viticultural characteristics. Under his direction the vineyard was divided into individual homogeneous blocks based upon soils and exposure. The goal was to identify the various micro-terroirs ensuring even ripening and optimum quality for each variety.

In 1988 the reins of the estate were assumed by Lorenza Sebasti, the young daughter of one of the owners. She and Marco were married in the 1990s.

During the five-year period of 1982-87, some 50,000 vines were re-trellised to an open lyre system, an enormous undertaking considering a vineyard density of 2,800 vines per hectare. Much of the vineyard was also grafted to new clones and varieties to take advantage of geology and topography.

As President of the Chianti Classico Consorzio, Marco Pallanti, worked very hard to bring definition to the wines produced in the Chianti Classico zone. With some of the finest producers in the region in agreement with Marco, together they crafted new rules for the region of Chianti Classico. It was a long and hard struggle.

Under Marco’s leadership the Consorzio agreed that beginning with the 2008 vintage, all wines labeled with Riserva must be tasted and approved by a panel at the Consorzio. The panel is looking to keep wines lacking the quality level deemed necessary for a Chianti Classico Riserva from being able to use the term on the label.

As Marco stepped away from the position of President of the Conzorzio he felt confident that these new rules would assure that wines from Chianti Classico meet quality standards of which he can be proud. For this reason, beginning with the 2008 vintage, Casello di Ama Chianti Classico, included the term “Riserva” on the label of their flagship wine. In 2011, Gran Selezione was added to the labels of their Cru wines, Vigneto Bellavista and Vigneto La Casuccia.

It is the obsessive dedication to quality in both the vineyard and winery that has made Castello di Ama not just one of Tuscany’s greatest wine producers, but among the finest wineries in the world.

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Castello di Ama

The Castle of Uzzano in its present form is essentially a typical Renaissance villa with a double-columned façade of white plaster and pietra serena. There are a few remains of the original rectangular mediaeval watch tower. The italianate garden was restored in the 18 C with the addition of a double staircase and some statues.
Uzzano was a castle of relatively small dimensions that, in 1269, was deprived of its towers and walls at the hands of the Ghibellines. However, these defences must have been reconstructed in the first half of the 14 C when Uzzano was recorded as a castle (castrum) associated with a parish church (pieve) named San Martino and endowed with a stone wall and a gate. It was depicted as such again at the end of the 16 C in a drawing executed for the Florentine magistracy of the Captains of the Guelphs, in order to be transformed into a villa during the course of the following century.
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Today it is possible to discern only a few features of the ancient fortifications incorporated into the huge new structure designed by Andrea di Cione, known as l'Orcagna, and successively reshaped and widened. The few remains are still imposing in their effects and consist of small blocks of sandstone placed in regular rows. The presence in an angular, truncated tower of small sandstone blocks, datable to between the second half of the 13 C and the first half of 14 C century, possibly corresponds to the successive reconstructions following the destruction of 1269. The bastion that supports and consolidates the lower part of the walls definitely constitutes a later addition. The windows opened through the walls are all of even more recent date.

The inner part of the Castello di Uzzano, which it is approached through a rusticated portal with round arches, coeval with the modern reconstruction of the entire complex, is rendered of great interest by the courtyard with porticos on four sides, finished with pietra serena pillars of remarkable elegance.

The castle of Uzzano is famous for having provided the family name of the celebrated Niccolò di Giovanni da Uzzano, who, in Florence in the first years of the 15 C, vainly opposed the unstoppable rise of Cosimo de' Medici.


The Castle of Uzzano  

La Rocca di Castellina in Chianti è un castello che si trova nell'omonimo comune in provincia di Siena.

Delle mura restano alcuni lunghi tratti attorno all'abitato antico del paese, ma nessuna delle due porte si è conservata: la Fiorentina venne distrutta durante la prima guerra mondiale e sostituita successivamente da un'apertura in stile. Il cassero è conservato in ottime condizioni, con due corpi di fabbrica quadrati e alte mura. Oggi è sede del Comune e dal 21 aprile 2006 è sede del Museo archeologico del Chianti senese, che presenta la storia dei paesaggi antichi dell'intero territorio chiantigiano, oltre a Castellina i comuni di Castelnuovo Berardenga, Gaiole in Chianti e Radda in Chianti.
Storia
Le prime menzioni scritte risalgono all'XI secolo, quando Castellina era un insediamento fortificato dei Conti Guidi che dipendeva dal vicino castello del Trebbio, nell'odierna località di Trebbia, frazione di Radda in Chianti. All'epoca il sito veniva infatti chiamato "Castellina de' Trebbiesi".

Dal 1193 i signori di Trebbio si accordarono coi Fiorentini per tenervi un presidio. Castellina, cresciuto di importanza, alla metà del XIII secolo entrò nella Lega del Chianti e in seguito fu capoluogo di uno dei tre terzieri della zona, con Radda e Gaiole.

Essendo vicina al confine tra Firenze e Siena, per tutto il medioevo la zona attorno al castello fu sede di scontri, con Castellina che mantenne a lungo il ruolo di roccaforte avanzata dei Fiorentini. Nel 1397 il castello venne attaccato e distrutto dalle truppe di Gian Galeazzo Visconti, signore di Milano alleato ai Senesi. Nel 1400 la Repubblica fiorentina ne tornò in possesso e decise di rafforzarne le difese, creando una cerchia muraria più grande e più massiccia, dalla forma di esagono irregolare e con numerose torri a base quadrata. Il sistema difensivo era composto, oltre che dalle mura, dove si aprivano due porte (la Fiorentina e la Senese), anche da un massiccio cassero merlato, posto nel punto più alto dell'abitato. Nella ricostruzione venne anche consultato, in corso d'opera, il famoso architetto Filippo Brunelleschi.

Il battesimo del fuoco del nuovo sistema difensivo avvenne nel 1452, quando fu cinto d'assedio per ben 44 giorni dal duca di Calabria, senza venire espugnato. In seguito le fortificazioni vennero ulteriormente rafforzate, con la collaborazione di Giuliano da Sangallo. Nel 1478 venne di nuovo attaccato dall'esercito aragonese e questa volta venne saccheggiato e semidistrutto. Nel 1483 tornò ai Fiorentini, che lo tennero fino all'unità d'Italia. L'abolizione della lega del Chianti risale invece al 1774, su decisione di Pietro Leopoldo di Lorena, ma il nuovo territorio della "Comunità di Castellina" venne fatto praticamente coincidere con l'antico terziere.

Rocca di Castellina in Chianti

The Castle of Cacchiano is located in the town of the same name in the province of Siena, in the heart of the Chianti region, set on a hill overlooking the valley of San Marcellino for over 1000 years. It is in fact here that in the X century the noble family of the Ricasoli decided to build the manor on what were the remains of a previous Roman settlement, as evidenced by the existence of numerous archaeological finds discovered in the area. The military complex, together with the nearby castle of Brolio, also owned by the Ricasoli family, became a particularly strategic defensive structure in the border area between the Florentine territory in which they were located, and the Sienese one. In 1452 the manor resisted the assault of the Aragonese troops, but a few years later in 1478, it suffered serious damage from another attack. The castle maintained the function of a fortress in defense of the territory until the end of 1500, when the defensive task failed, it underwent structural changes, transforming itself into a farm-villa with an agricultural vocation.
Today the Castle is owned by the Ricasoli-Firidolfi family, descendants of Barone Bettino Ricasoli, the great-great-grandfather of the current owner, nicknamed the "Iron Baron" who in the 19th century brought great innovations to Tuscan viticulture and assembly coder of Chianti wine. In continuity with the centuries-old vocation that distinguishes the family and the territory, the castle is now home to a well-known farm, producing a wide range of products, all of the highest quality. The production area is the Monti in Chianti plateau, where Sangiovese, Malvasia, Colorino, Caniolo and Merlot vines produce an average of 120,000 bottles. Another highlight of the estate is the production of extra virgin olive oil D.O.P. Chianti Classico obtained from 30 hectares of olive groves, some seculars, other decades.
In the seventeenth century part of the castle an area has been created for the direct sale of the company's products, while in the adjacent area there is the wine shop where tastings and light lunches are organized.
The Castle of Cacchiano also opens to hospitality with the farmhouse and its apartments, such as the "Bindaccio", perfectly integrated into the oldest part of the castle, which with its 200 sqm furnished with care and elegance offers every comfort and modern service . On the top floor there is a terrace-solarium where you can enjoy the magnificent surrounding panorama, while adjacent to the apartment there is also a garden with swimming pool. In the heart of the castle is instead the apartment the "Guerrante", over 100 square meters, furnished with fine furniture and equipped with a terrace that runs along the ancient walls.

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The Castle of Cacchiano

The Castello di Brolio is a rural castle, palace and gardens located in the municipality of Gaiole in Chianti, about 20 km NE of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.

The palace has belonged to the Ricasoli family for nearly 800 years. The castle was destroyed more than once during the wars between Siena and Florence. It was rebuilt around the year 1500 after destruction by the Sienese army. Now on a pentagonal plinth, rise both the stone castle and larger brick palace built in Gothic revival-style, mainly under the patronage of Baron Bettino Ricasoli, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Italy, who created the Chianti recipe of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 15% Malvasia bianca. In 2015, the site was mainly known for its surrounding wine manufacture, and hosts guided tours.

Castello di Brolio

The Castle of Verrazzano is famous as the family home of the navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano (sometimes spelled Verrazano), the discoverer of New York harbour. The Castello di Verrazzano is one of several fine castellated villas in the Val di Greve, the others including the Castello di Vicchiomaggio, the Castello di Uzzano, Villa Vignamaggio and Villa Calcinaia.

The central tower of the castle was constructed in the late Romanesque period and was joined by an underground passage to another tower close by, providing an important point of surveillance over the Greve valley and control of any movement between Florence and Siena.

The Verrazzano family, of Longobard origins, took its name from the area where it settled in the 7 C according to some scholars and not before 971 according to others, when the leader of Florence was Ugo, Marquis of Tuscany. The name Verrazzano might derive from the latin name of the area "Veratius" (Veratiae Gentis Veraci - farm of the Verazi), or from the latin word "verres" (wild boar) and "zona", land of the wild boar.

The family belonged to the Guelph faction and this was the cause of many disputes and controversies. In 1247, they suffered at the hands of the Ghibellines and during the Battle of Montaperti in 1260 they lost two sons. Ser Chiaro da Verrazzano himself, a valiant defender of the Guelph cause, had to flee to Rome and leave the Castle in the hands of the victorious Ghibellines. In Rome, Cardinal Corsini learnt of the vicissitudes of Ser Chiaro, and consequently commanded that a star on a background half white and half yellow (the Vatican colours) be placed on the Verrazzano coat of arms.

Later, when peace was restored and the Guelph government reinstated, Ser Chiaro returned to his home, but during the journey to Florence he was attacked by the Masnadieri of Ricasoli and robbed of all the riches he had accumulated in Rome. But even in this instance, Ser Chiaro demonstrated his ability in reversing difficult situations: the thieves were found and of the stolen goods "he received in return more than he had lost". Naturally he was hated and envied, for this and also for his position in the government and the affairs of Florence, so he did not escape when the Florentines re-asserted their independence upon the death of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI in 1197.

His sons demonstrated the courage and also the unscrupulousness of the family by finding the principal leaders of the plot and having them beheaded. A separate destiny was reserved for the actual perpetrator of the stabbings - his hand was cut off and exhibited in public for three days while the assassin was hung up to bleed to death by the side of the road. Different strokes for different folks.

Little more is known of the family because the Verrazzano’s Florentine home was destroyed by fire during the memorable siege by the Imperialists in 1530, and all the important documents in the archive were lost. The Verrazzano family had an altar (still in existence) and several tombs in the church of Santa Croce.

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Verrazzano Castle

Vicchiomaggio Castle, one of the most beautiful historical houses was originally the Tuscany immersed in a park of over 130 hectares of lands, it is today an elegant one farmhouse, a perfect one location for weddings, meeting ed private eventsas well as a renowned one winery. Suitable for a short stay, but also for a trip out of town. We offer nights, lunches, included, showed of our historical ones cellars e tastings from our products. An enviable position that will also allow you to plan excursions e visits to some of the gods most beautiful and evocative places in Italy.

History
Brief history of a family passion. 1921: Federico Matta, originally from Asti, begins to import wine in London and after 30 years becomes the No.1 in GB for Italian wines. 1964: Castello Vicchiomaggio is bought by the Matta family, a property of 150 Ha. in the Chianti Classico, with 32 Ha. of vineyard.

1970: Dopa having attended the school of Viticulture and Enology of Alba (Piedmont), John Matta, (son of Federico) began his career at Vicchiomaggio. 1990: An important vineyard renewal program begins. One-sixth implantation of 5,600 screws / Ha. will ensure low yields and great quality. All cultivation practices are (50) chosen to ensure a sustainable viticulture with very low environmental impact, special attention is given to the management of the soil to minimize erosion, a problem in the hills. 2010: Always assisted by his wife Paola, three of the four children join the company. Sebastian follows production and sales. Federica and Delfina are dedicated to the development of accommodation, consisting of beautiful rooms, apartments and a restaurant.

https://www.dimorestoricheitaliane.it