Camigliano

Camigliano's history extends to the era of the Crusades, with the medieval village of Camigliano and its 13th-century castle forming the historic core of the modern estate. The property passed through various noble and ecclesiastical hands over the centuries before falling into a period of agricultural decline. In 1957, the entrepreneur Walter Ghezzi purchased the castle and surrounding farmland, undertaking a long-term restoration of both the medieval village and the agricultural operation. The Ghezzi family progressively transformed the estate from a mixed agricultural holding into a focused Brunello producer, with vineyard plantings expanded over decades and a modern winery built to manage the substantial production. Today Gualtiero Ghezzi, son of founder Walter, leads the estate alongside his wife Laura and their children, continuing the family's stewardship.

• Camigliano village and castle date to the 13th century, with origins reaching back to the era of the Crusades
• Walter Ghezzi acquired the castle and property in 1957, beginning a multi-decade restoration
• Estate progressively transformed from mixed agricultural holding to focused Brunello producer
• Today led by Gualtiero Ghezzi (son of Walter), his wife Laura, and the next generation

The Camigliano estate covers approximately 1,300 acres on the western side of the Montalcino municipality, near the village of Camigliano itself. Vineyards (over 220 acres) occupy a range of hillside sites at varying elevations, with approximately 200 acres planted to Sangiovese for Brunello and Rosso production. The remaining vineyards include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other varieties for the Sant'Antimo DOC range. Soils are characteristic of the western Montalcino sector: a mix of galestro, clay, and stones with varying limestone content, contributing mineral character and excellent drainage. The estate's scale provides Camigliano with significant operational flexibility for vineyard management, harvest timing, and lot selection, but the wines retain a clear family-estate identity rather than feeling industrially scaled.

• 1,300-acre estate on the western side of Montalcino, centred on the medieval Camigliano village and castle
• Over 220 acres of vineyards (~200 acres Sangiovese for Brunello/Rosso, balance other varieties)
• Soils: galestro, clay, and stones with varying limestone content, typical of western Montalcino
• Scale provides operational flexibility while maintaining family-estate quality focus

Camigliano's vineyards are now fully organic, with the estate having progressed from conventional to organic methods over the past two decades. Vineyard management emphasises balance, low yields, and gentle treatment to preserve fruit character. Winemaking follows a measured traditional-modern hybrid approach: temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentations with native yeast, extended maceration on the skins, and aging in a combination of large Slavonian oak botti and French oak tonneaux. Brunello di Montalcino spends approximately 30 to 36 months in oak before bottle aging. The house style is approachable yet structured, with clean fruit expression, balanced tannin, and a polished finish suited to early enjoyment but capable of cellaring for 10 to 15 years.

• Vineyards fully organic with estate certification covering all plantings
• Native yeast fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel; extended skin maceration
• Aging combines large Slavonian botti and French tonneaux; Brunello sees ~30-36 months in oak
• House style: approachable yet structured, balanced tannin, polished finish, 10-15 years cellaring potential

Camigliano's range is built around Brunello di Montalcino as the flagship, with Brunello Riserva produced in exceptional vintages, Rosso di Montalcino for earlier-drinking access, and a Sant'Antimo DOC range that includes Cabernet, Merlot, and white wines. Specific bottlings include the Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino (the volume estate Brunello), the Gualto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (the prestige Riserva), and the Paesaggio Inatteso (a Sangiovese-Cabernet Toscana IGT). The estate also produces extra virgin olive oil from its olive groves and operates an agritourism guest experience based around the restored medieval village. Annual production of approximately 330,000 bottles places Camigliano among the larger Montalcino family estates while maintaining quality across the range.

• Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino: estate flagship, ~30-36 months oak aging, balanced and approachable
• Gualto Brunello di Montalcino Riserva: prestige Riserva produced only in top vintages from selected lots
• Rosso di Montalcino: early-drinking accessible expression of the estate house style
• Sant'Antimo range: Cabernet, Merlot, and white wines; plus Paesaggio Inatteso (Sangiovese-Cabernet IGT)

Camigliano offers one of Montalcino's most complete agritourism experiences, with the restored medieval village forming the heart of the visitor offer. Guests can stay in restored stone houses within the village, dine at the estate restaurant featuring local cuisine and Camigliano wines, and tour the working winery and vineyards. The 13th-century castle remains a private family residence but the village structures around it are available for guest accommodation. The combination of historic setting, working estate, and substantial winemaking operation makes Camigliano popular with international visitors, while the wines themselves are widely distributed globally. The Ghezzi family maintains an active public presence and supports the broader Montalcino tourism economy.

• Restored medieval Camigliano village offers guest accommodation in original stone houses
• Estate restaurant features local cuisine paired with Camigliano wines
• Working winery and vineyard tours available; the 13th-century castle remains the family residence
• Combination of historic setting and substantial production makes Camigliano popular with international visitors