Castiglion del Bosco

History of Castiglion del Bosco

The history of Castiglion del Bosco dates back to the year 1100, when the Sienese erected a fortress to protect the rich Val d'Orcia. The estate distinguished itself early on through its artistic heritage, notably with a fresco attributed to the master Pietro Lorenzetti adorning the small church of San Michele in the village. Over the centuries, agriculture, olive growing and viticulture have remained at the heart of the estate's life.

In 1967, Castiglion del Bosco became one of the twenty-five founding members of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium, contributing to the recognition of this now legendary appellation. In 2003, Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo took over the then somewhat dormant estate and embarked on an extensive renovation, both architectural and oenological, in pursuit of the excellence so dear to the family. The estate now spans nearly two thousand hectares, including large areas of forests and nature reserves, complemented by a restored medieval borgo and a modern cellar.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Castiglion del Bosco

The vineyard covers approximately sixty-two hectares planted exclusively with sangiovese, the native and historic grape variety of Montalcino. It is divided into two sectors with distinct personalities. The Capanna vineyard, covering around forty hectares, stretches along a south-west-facing ridge, between two hundred and fifty and more than four hundred and sixty metres in altitude, on soils rich in clay and schist that lend the wines finesse and structure. This is where the great Brunello wines are born, including the summit parcel of Campo del Drago.

The second sector, Gauggiole, covering around twenty hectares located just below the village, benefits from a slightly cooler and more humid climate, ideal for expressive Rosso di Montalcino. Beyond Montalcino, the estate also owns Tenuta Prima Pietra in Riparbella, on the Tuscan coast, where eleven hectares planted with merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot reflect the Bordeaux soul of the house. Vineyard management is organic, in the greatest respect for the preserved environment of the Val d'Orcia.

Winemaking at Castiglion del Bosco

Winemaking at Castiglion del Bosco aims to reveal the full potential of sangiovese while respecting the identity of each parcel. The grapes are harvested by hand and sorted in two successive stages, in order to retain only the finest berries. Each parcel is vinified separately, allowing the distinctive characteristics of each terroir and each vintage to be expressed to their fullest.

Ageing takes place in a vast dedicated cellar, where the wines rest in barrels and large wooden containers according to the requirements of each cuvée. The Brunello wines benefit from a long ageing process that brings them complexity, depth and great cellaring potential, while the Rosso di Montalcino wines favour the freshness and fruity expression of sangiovese. Cellar work is carried out with rigour under the direction of the estate's oenological team, supported by the consulting oenologist Beppe Caviola.

The cuvées of Castiglion del Bosco

Brunello di Montalcino: the estate's emblematic cuvée from the Capanna vineyards, this pure sangiovese reveals an intense ruby colour, aromas of red fruits, morello cherry and delicate spices, with fine acidity, refined balance and excellent ageing potential.

Brunello Cru Campo del Drago: a grand cru from the summit parcel of the Capanna vineyard. A wine of great personality and complexity, it unfolds a deep structure, notes of red fruits, tobacco and noble spices, in an elegant and persistent style.

Brunello Riserva Millecento: a prestigious cuvée produced only in the greatest vintages, whose name evokes the year 1100. Rich, structured and built for ageing, this Brunello combines elegance, finesse and silky tannins, sublimated by a long ageing process.

Brunello Zodiac: a limited edition of the Brunello, a rare and collector's release from a single-parcel selection, celebrated by a distinctive label design, sought after by enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Rosso di Montalcino: a more immediate and accessible interpretation of sangiovese, this Rosso captivates with its freshness, crunchy fruit and suppleness, ideal for discovering the estate's style in its youth.

Rosso di Montalcino Gauggiole: a single-vineyard Rosso from the eponymous vineyard, endowed with its own identity rather than being a simple lesser Brunello. Elegant and expressive, it highlights the signature of the cooler Gauggiole terroir.

Rosso di Montalcino L'America: another single-parcel selection of Rosso di Montalcino, with a rich and aromatic character, offering a complementary expression of the estate's sangiovese.

IGT Toscana Undici: a more freely expressive Tuscan wine, faithful to the house style, conceived as a convivial and accessible cuvée showcasing the fruit.

IGT Toscana Chardonnay: a white wine from the estate crafted from chardonnay, bringing freshness and diversity to a range historically dedicated to red wines.

Prima Pietra: Fine Wine from Tenuta Prima Pietra in Riparbella, a Bordeaux-inspired blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot. Powerful and refined, it expresses the maritime terroir of the Tuscan coast with views over the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Il Rosso: the second wine of Tenuta Prima Pietra, more accessible, offering a more immediate approach to this Bordeaux-style blend grown on the Tuscan coast.