CASTEL PIETRAIO: TUSCANY, ITALY

Some More Tastings!

"Loved This Spot!"

Castel Pietraio

Tuscany, Italy

We loved picking up our map and making our way to find Castel Pietraio.  We have loved our drives through Tuscany, since the scenery is simply breathtaking.  Our favorite part about this drive through the region of Monteriggioni was pulling over on the side of the view and taking pictures inside beautiful vineyard - enjoy the pictures!

{History}

At the end of the 10 C, nearby Strove and Staggia were under the rule of the Countess Ava Lambardi, a descendent of a noble Longobard family, whose sarcophagus is still on view in the right aisle of the abbey at Abbadia a Isola. The countess Ava and her husband Ildebrando had two sons, Tegrimo, who married Sindrada, and Berizio, who founded Poggio Berizio, now Poggibonsi. In the 12 C, the Castle belonged to the Soarzi and in the 13 C to Ginibaldo Saracini, Sapia Salvani's husband. She was the daughter of a noble and powerful Siennese family and she is referred to in Dante's Purgatory. In the 15 C, Castel Pietraio was under the rule of the Capacci, another noble Siennese family coming from Monteagutolo del Bosco, whose coat of arms included a boar's head. This was carved as ornament on the stones of the floors and of the portals of the castle, and is still visible in part.

The most ancient part of Castel Pietraio is the 10 C tower with its Guelph battlement. Construction dating from 1300 to 1500 created the quadrangular ground plan with its internal cloister, where a well for the collection of the rainwater provided for the water supply of that time. The construction of the church dedicated to the Saints Peter and Paul is of the same period. The buildings of the little "borgo" (village) completing Castel Pietraio date from 1700.

Baron Massimo Neri Del Nero, father of the current owner of Castel Pietraio, carried out the restoration of Castel Pietraio and its village, restoring it to its ancient and simple austerity. The olive trees and the vines have been and are still being replaced with the aim of improving quality and the introduction of innovative wine-making.

Lots of Love,

Nicole & Anthony

CASTELLO DI MONTERIGGIONI: TUSCANY, ITALY

"Beautiful View"

Fattoria Castello di Monteriggioni

Fattoria Castello di Monterigggioni began his activity in 1964, thanks to Alvaro and his wife Luisa Gozzi Gozzi Masini.

Alvaro Gozzi, always fascinated by the winemaking world, bought an old estate, whose lands are divided between Monteriggioni and Castellina in Chianti.  He is now dedicated to the replanting of vineyards and the construction of a new winery.

His desire to get to know every secret of viticulture and winemaking, allows him to produce quality wines.

In 1970 the wines of the farm obtained many awards during the competition in which they were presented . Over the years, Alvaro Gozzi has been able to obtain better products, opening the doors of Italian and foreign markets.

  

Today the company is led by his nephew, Tommaso Battignani, Doctor of Viticulture and Enology. Through his studies and  passion, Tommaso has continued to have a strong commitment to continue the family tradition in the production of quality wines.

{The Vineyards}

The farm covers about 80 hectares, of which 36 are vineyards/5 of olive trees, divided between two estates.

The estate consists of Capaggio, all the great vineyards and olive groves that surround the castle of Monteriggioni. 

Produced here are wines such as Chianti Colli Senesi Monteriggioni, Cigolino, Baratto, Capannino No. 17, The White Tuscany, in addition to extra virgin olive oil.

In the vineyards cordon spur, dominates the Sangiovese grape, which are joined by other red grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Canaiolo and Colorino, for white wines are grown Malvasia and Trebbiano.

A few miles from Monteriggioni, is the estate Poggio alla Croce, situated in the Chianti Classico area. From 11 acres of Poggio alla Croce, spurred cordon and headband Tuscan we obtein the Sangiovese, Canaiolo e Colorino, which is produced Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva.

Lots of Love,

Nicole & Anthony

FATTORIA POGGIO ALLORO: TUSCANY, ITALY

A Beautiful Tasting!

"What a gorgeous drive!"

"Had to park the car on the side of the rode for some  pictures!"

"Welcome to Fattoria Poggio Agoro"

"Let the gorgeous wine, cheese & olive oil tastings begin!"

"Freshly baked bread and olive oil"

"Olives & Cheese"

"YUM - let the tastings begin!"

"Cheers!"

"Had too much fun at this winery!!"

"And we're off to our next stop!"

Fattoria Poggio Alloro,

We made our way to our next stop, Fattoria Poggio Alloro, in the wine region of San Gimignano. Did you see those pictures?!  We fell in love with this winery, it was absolutely breathtaking.  The day was gorgeous from the cool breeze to the warm sun, from the lush greenery to the plum grapes.

Wow - were we in for a treat, since this winery became one of our all time favorites!  The ambiance was truly romantic, making today pure perfection.  As we wondered through the winery we had fun taking pictures (as you may have already guessed).  The real fun began when we started tasting the delicious wines, breads, olives & olive oils!

A Little History:

The three Fioroni brothers Umberto, Amico, and Bernardo were born and raised in the Marche region, where they also worked as sharecroppers, mezzadri, up until the 1950s. At that time, the farming system in use was the Mezzadria, which dated back to the Middle Ages, and resembled a form of slavery, more than a fair work contract between landowner and farmers. The terrible work conditions that this system imposed on sharecroppers, forced the three brothers to migrate from their homeland to the region of Tuscany, as many other families already did after the World War II. In 1955 they finally arrived in San Gimignano, at Fattoria Poggio Alloro.For generations the Fioronis were skilled farmers and breeders, and continued to work as sharecroppers at the farm until 1972.

Through their hard work, great sacrifices, and dedication to the land they managed to purchase the first 25 hectares then in the same year they started growing grapevines, olive trees, various kinds of fruits and vegetables, and cereal crops. Later on, they built barns for the Chianina cattle and for other courtyard animals such as pigs, chickens, and rabbits. They also produced saffron, a common and popular spice in San Gimignano since the Middle Ages. Through the years, the children of the Fioroni brothers, felt the need to support their parents, both in farming and agriturismo, in a perfect union between tradition and innovation. Old and new generations decide together to embrace a completely organic agriculture, aware of the importance of an healthy and sustainable life style. In doing so, they chose to go back to their origins, with the full respect of nature and traditions. 

The Wine:

DI S. GIMIGNANO D.O.C.G. “LE MANDORLE”
PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND careful harvest of Vernaccia di S.Gimignano grapes
VINIFICATION the harvested grapes are divested of their stalks and undergo criomaceration, left in contact with their must in order to extract its aromas. Subsequently they are gently pressed and complete their alcoholic fermentation and aging in new french oak barriques
ALCOHOL CONTENT 13%
COLOR intense straw yellow with golden highlights
BOUQUET a broad and delicate bouquet of white-pulp fruit with a hint of bitter almonds and white flowers, and a pleasant finale spiced with vanilla
TASTE fine and persistent, dry and with the right keenness
DRINK WITH perfect with fish in general, white meat and mature cheeses
SERVE AT 13°

CHIANTI D.O.C.G.

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino and Ciliegiolo
VINIFICATION soaking on the skins with repeated repassing of must over the grape dregs, alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats and maturation in the bottle
ALCOHOL CONTENT 13%
COLOR intense, deep ruby red
BOUQUET broad and elegant with pleasant odors of red fruit, cherry, blackcurrant and raspberry with final flowery notes of sweet violets
TASTE pleasantly tannic, dry, warm and full-bodied
DRINK WITH red meat, game and mature cheeses
SERVE AT 16°-18

VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO D.O.C.G.

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND pure Vernaccia di S.Gimignano
VINIFICATION gentle pressing, alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperature in stainless steel vats, maturation in the bottle
ALCOHOL CONTENT 12,5%
COLOR full, intense straw yellow
BOUQUET fine, intense, fruity and flowery with sensations of fresh fruit and white flowers
TASTE dry, fragrant, pleasantly fresh with the right keenness and a well structured body
DRINK WITH hors d’oeuvres and saffron dishes
SERVE AT 10°

S. GIMIGNANO D.O.C. ROSSO “CONVIVIO”

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND careful selection of Sangiovese and Colorino grapes
VINIFICATION fermentation in stainless steel recipients and soaking on the skins
ALCOHOL CONTENT 13%
AGING aging in oak barrels for 12 months, maturation in the bottle for 3 months
COLOR intense ruby red with garnet highlights
BOUQUET odors of red fruit with pleasant notes of raspberry and marasca cherry jam and an enveloping finale spiced with licorice, cinnamon and tobacco
TASTE intense and persistent with an outstanding personality; dry, warm, full-bodied and harmonious
DRINK WITH excellent with T-bone steak, red meat, braised meat, game and mature cheeses
SERVE AT 18°

ROSSO DI TOSCANA I.G.T.

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND Sangiovese and Canaiolo
VINIFICATION soaking on the skins, alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats and maturation in the bottle
ALCOHOL CONTENT 12,5%
COLOR ruby with violet highlights
BOUQUET pleasant odors of red fruit and flowery notes
TASTE slightly tannic, dry, warm and full-bodied
DRINK WITH red meat, game and cheeses
SERVE AT 16°-18°

BIANCO DI TOSCANA I.G.T.

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND Trebbiano toscano, Malvasia, Chardonnay
VINIFICATION fermentation at controlled temperature in stainless steel recipients
ALCOHOL CONTENT 12%
COLOR straw yellow
BOUQUET delicate, white flowers
TASTE dry, fresh with structured taste
DRINK WITH fish in general, white meat
SERVE AT 10°

VIN SANTO DEL CHIANTI D.O.C.

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia, San Colombano
VINIFICATION careful selection of grapes harvested by hand. Drying on reed trellises in accordance with the Tuscan tradition. Once dried, the grapes are pressed and set to ferment very slowly in small barriques. The must obtained is racked and left to age in casks for at least 5 years.
ALCOHOL CONTENT 16.5%
COLOR amber with golden highlights
BOUQUET typical, intense and penetrating with odors of dry and toasted fruit
TASTE soft and warm, slightly sweet
DRINK WITH desserts in general but best with dry pastries such as the traditional Tuscan Cantuccini
SERVE AT 10°-18°

GRAPPA DI VINACCE DI VERNACCIA DI S. GIMIGNANO

Obtained from steam distillation of Vernaccia di S.Gimignano marc.
Optimal brilliance and a delicate, well expressed perfume. Pleasantly aggressive with a soft, velvety flavor that is fine and persistent.
Excellent after a meal.

GRAPPA DI VINACCE DI VERNACCIA E ZAFFERANO

Obtained from steam distillation of Vernaccia di S.Gimignano marc, with the addition of pure S.Gimignano saffron set to macerate from 5 to 6 days.
Optimal brilliance and a delicate, well expressed perfume with aromatic and fragrant notes. Pleasantly aggressive with a soft, velvety flavor that is fine and persistent. The saffron gives it a bright and lively yellow color.
Excellent after a meal.

Lots of Love From Tuscany,

Nicole Carter