Castello del Trebbio

The Trebbio Castle was built by the De' Pazzi family in 1184. The Pazzi were wealthy Florentine bankers who managed the castle and its surrounding property from the 12th century until the family fell into disgrace following the failure of the 1478 Pazzi Conspiracy. That plot, masterminded by the Pazzi family on 26 April 1478, aimed to assassinate Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother Giuliano de' Medici; Giuliano was killed in Florence's Duomo but Lorenzo survived, and the Pazzi family was destroyed in the aftermath. The castle changed hands through subsequent centuries before passing to the Baj Macario family in 1968, who continue to own and operate it today.

• Castle built by the De' Pazzi family in 1184
• Pazzi family were wealthy Florentine bankers who held the property until 1478
• 1478 Pazzi Conspiracy against the Medici family: planned at the castle, enacted in Florence's Duomo
• Baj Macario family acquired the property in 1968

The estate covers approximately 350 hectares total, with 54 hectares dedicated to vineyards. The property sits in Pontassieve at the geographical boundary of the Chianti Rufina and Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG zones, with most of the wine production bottled under Chianti Rufina given its quality-tier orientation. Soils combine macigno sandstone (the Rufina sub-zone's signature substrate) with clay and limestone fragments. Vineyards face primarily south and southwest at moderate elevations, supporting balanced Sangiovese ripening with bright acidity preservation. The remainder of the property is in woodland, pasture, and olive groves.

• 350-hectare estate with 54 hectares of vineyard
• Located in Pontassieve at the boundary of Chianti Rufina and Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG zones
• Macigno sandstone soils characteristic of the Rufina sub-zone, with clay and limestone fragments
• Vineyards face primarily south and southwest at moderate elevations

Sangiovese is the dominant variety, with Anna Baj Macario and Stefano Casadei focused on the variety's best expression in the Chianti Rufina terroir. The estate has emphasized Sangiovese's elegance and longevity since taking direct management in 1995, modernizing winemaking equipment while preserving traditional approaches. Bordeaux varieties also have a place in selected bottlings, supporting Super Tuscan-style IGT wines alongside the DOCG range. Stefano Casadei, a winemaker also associated with several other Tuscan estates, leads the winemaking program with a quality-driven philosophy.

• Sangiovese-dominant plantings; emphasis on the variety's elegance and longevity in Chianti Rufina terroir
• Anna Baj Macario and Stefano Casadei have managed the estate directly since 1995
• Modernized winemaking equipment while preserving traditional approaches
• Bordeaux varieties used in selected bottlings for Super Tuscan-style IGT wines

Chianti Rufina DOCG anchors the wine range, with annata and Riserva bottlings expressing the high-quality Sangiovese the sub-zone is known for. The estate also produces Chianti Superiore at the broader Chianti DOCG level. Toscana IGT bottlings extend into Super Tuscan territory with Sangiovese-Bordeaux variety blends. The property's agriturismo, on-site restaurant, and wine tourism programs draw approximately 18,000 visitors per year, supporting direct cellar sales and brand engagement. Olive oil from the estate's groves rounds out the food and beverage offering.

• Chianti Rufina DOCG: annata and Riserva bottlings anchor the wine range
• Chianti Superiore at the broader Chianti DOCG level for accessible Sangiovese
• Toscana IGT bottlings for Super Tuscan-style Sangiovese-Bordeaux blends
• Agriturismo and wine tourism programs draw approximately 18,000 visitors per year

Castello del Trebbio combines deep Florentine history with modern quality winemaking, demonstrating the long-arc continuity that characterizes many Tuscan wine estates. The castle's association with the 1478 Pazzi Conspiracy gives it a unique historical resonance even within Tuscany's heritage-rich wine landscape. Anna Baj Macario and Stefano Casadei's direct management since 1995 has transformed the estate into a benchmark Chianti Rufina producer, contributing to the sub-zone's revival and international recognition. The property's combination of wine, agriturismo, and visitor programs supports a sustainable model that connects the historic site to its modern wine production.

• Combines deep Florentine history with modern quality winemaking
• Castle's 1478 Pazzi Conspiracy association gives unique historical resonance
• Direct management since 1995 has transformed estate into Chianti Rufina benchmark
• Wine, agriturismo, and visitor programs support sustainable modern business model