Castello di Verrazzano

The Castello di Verrazzano estate sits on land with roots as an Etruscan and Roman settlement. The Verrazzano family took ownership in the 7th century, and vineyards are documented on the property as far back as 1150. The castle is celebrated as the birthplace of Giovanni da Verrazzano, the Italian explorer born here in 1485. The estate passed through several owners before the Cappellini family acquired it in 1958, beginning a transformation into the modern organic producer it is today.

• Originally an Etruscan and Roman settlement before becoming Verrazzano family property in the 7th century
• Vineyards first documented in 1150, with estate boundaries essentially unchanged since
• Birthplace of explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano (born 1485)
• Cappellini family ownership began in 1958; Luigi and Silvia Cappellini are current proprietors

The estate occupies the northern, cooler part of the Chianti Classico zone, positioned between Florence and Siena in the commune of Greve in Chianti. Vineyards face east and climb from 260 to 450 meters above sea level. The underlying Formazione di Sillano soils are limestone-dominant, composed of 43% limestone, 29% clay, and 28% sand. These well-drained, mineral-rich soils, combined with the cooler mesoclimate of the northern zone, drive the structure and aromatic character typical of the estate's wines. The estate is also surrounded by a protected chestnut forest.

• Located in Greve in Chianti, northern Chianti Classico, between Florence and Siena
• Elevation from 260 to 450 meters (850 to 1476 feet), with eastern vineyard exposure
• Formazione di Sillano soils: 43% limestone, 29% clay, 28% sand
• Surrounded by protected chestnut forest; estate also includes olive groves and beehives

Sangiovese anchors the portfolio, as expected in Chianti Classico DOCG. Supporting red varieties include Canaiolo, Colorino, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. White varieties planted on the estate include Trebbiano Toscano, Traminer, and Malvasia lunga del Chianti. The wine range spans Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, the Gran Selezione Sassello, and Super Tuscan IGT Toscana bottlings. All wines are produced from organically farmed fruit, certified by the EU since 2014, and aged in Slavonian oak barrels.

• Primary red variety: Sangiovese, supported by Canaiolo, Colorino, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon
• White varieties include Trebbiano Toscano, Traminer, and Malvasia lunga del Chianti
• Wines include Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, Gran Selezione Sassello, and IGT Super Tuscans
• Aged in Slavonian oak; EU organic certification achieved in 2014

Castello di Verrazzano holds DOCG status under Chianti Classico and produces IGT Toscana wines for its Super Tuscan range. The estate is a founding member of the Consorzio del Chianti Classico, the body that governs the zone's quality standards and Black Rooster designation. All grape harvesting is done by hand, and the 16th-century cellars beneath the castle remain in continuous operation for aging the estate's wines.

• DOCG Chianti Classico and IGT Toscana classifications
• Founding member of the Consorzio del Chianti Classico
• Exclusive hand-harvesting across all 52 hectares of vineyard
• 16th-century cellars in continuous operation