Castello di Vicarello

Castello di Vicarello began in the 1980s when Carlo and Aurora Baccheschi Berti discovered the ruined fortress that gives the estate its name. Once a stronghold of the Republic of Siena and later abandoned, the castle and surrounding land had fallen into disrepair when the family relocated with their three young sons to embark on its restoration. The couple worked over decades to rebuild the medieval structure as both a family home and a base for hospitality and agriculture. In 2003 the estate opened as a boutique hotel, and following a visit to Bordeaux with son Brando, Carlo began planting Bordeaux varieties in 2000 and 2002. The first vintage of Castello di Vicarello wine was produced in 2004. Today the property is led by the next generation of the Baccheschi Berti family, including Brando and his brother Neri, who joined to direct commercial development and strategic projects.

• Estate founded in the 1980s when Carlo and Aurora Baccheschi Berti discovered the ruins of the Sienese-era Castello di Vicarello fortress
• Family relocated with three young sons to the Maremma countryside to restore the castle and surrounding land
• Boutique hotel opened 2003; Bordeaux variety plantings began 2000 and 2002 after a visit to Bordeaux with son Brando
• Today led by next generation of Baccheschi Berti family including Brando and Neri, who joined to direct commercial and strategic development

The Castello di Vicarello estate covers 40 hectares of organic vineyards, olive groves, and farmland in the inland Maremma south of Siena, in the area of Cinigiano. The hills here represent a transitional zone between the coastal Maremma to the west and the elevated Mount Amiata zone to the south, with volcanic-influenced soils, moderate elevations, and a Mediterranean climate moderated by altitude rather than direct sea breezes. Vineyards are planted to Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot) alongside Sangiovese and other Tuscan varieties, with parcel-specific matching to soil and exposure. The estate has been certified organic, reflecting the family's emphasis on sustainable land stewardship across all 40 hectares.

• Estate spans 40 hectares of organic vineyards, olive groves, and farmland in the inland Maremma south of Siena
• Located in a transitional zone between the coastal Maremma and the Mount Amiata elevated zone, with volcanic-influenced soils
• Climate moderation comes from altitude and continental influence rather than direct sea breezes
• Plantings include Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot) alongside Sangiovese and other Tuscan grapes

Castello di Vicarello's winemaking centers on Bordeaux varieties planted following Carlo Baccheschi Berti's inspirational visit to Bordeaux with his son Brando. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot anchor the red production, supplemented by Sangiovese for traditional Tuscan styles. The estate's flagship wines are typically Bordeaux blends drawing from multiple parcels, with the first commercial vintage produced in 2004. Winemaking emphasizes parcel-by-parcel vinification with extended aging in French oak barriques for the flagship reds. The organic certification reflects the family's commitment to traditional agricultural practices integrated across the 40-hectare estate of vineyards, olive groves, and farmland.

• Plantings center on Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot) following the family's 2000 Bordeaux-inspired direction
• Sangiovese provides traditional Tuscan complement; first commercial vintage of estate wine produced 2004
• Flagship wines are Bordeaux blends drawing from multiple parcels with extended French oak aging
• Organic certification reflects family's commitment to traditional agricultural practices across all 40 hectares

The Castello di Vicarello portfolio centers on a small range of estate-grown red wines bottled under Maremma Toscana DOC and Toscana IGT classifications. The flagship Castello di Vicarello (typically Toscana IGT) is a Bordeaux blend showcasing the inland Maremma's distinct stylistic position between coastal Bolgheri and inland Chianti. Terre di Vico and other estate bottlings offer more accessible expressions of the family's house style. The estate also produces estate-pressed olive oil from the surrounding groves, reflecting the integrated agricultural approach. Production volumes remain deliberately modest, with the wine portfolio supporting the boutique hotel and direct-sales model rather than chasing mass distribution.

• Flagship Castello di Vicarello (typically Toscana IGT) = Bordeaux blend showcasing the inland Maremma's distinct stylistic position
• Terre di Vico and other estate bottlings offer more accessible expressions of the house style
• Estate also produces estate-pressed olive oil from surrounding groves, reflecting the integrated agricultural approach
• Production volumes remain deliberately modest, supporting boutique hotel and direct-sales model rather than mass distribution

Castello di Vicarello represents a particular Tuscan archetype: the family-owned estate that integrates restored historical architecture, sustainable agriculture, boutique luxury hospitality, and serious wine production into a single coherent project. The estate's inland Maremma location, in a transitional zone between the coastal Bolgheri-Maremma axis and the inland Chianti and Brunello zones, gives it a distinct terroir signature that combines volcanic-influenced soils with elevation-driven climate moderation. The family's deliberate combination of hospitality and viticulture, supported by next-generation leadership from Brando and Neri Baccheschi Berti, has built Castello di Vicarello into one of the most distinctive small estates in the broader Maremma Toscana DOC zone.

• Tuscan archetype: family-owned estate integrating restored historical architecture, sustainable agriculture, boutique luxury hospitality, and serious wine production
• Inland Maremma location in transitional zone between coastal Bolgheri-Maremma axis and inland Chianti and Brunello zones
• Distinct terroir signature combines volcanic-influenced soils with elevation-driven climate moderation
• Next-generation leadership from Brando and Neri Baccheschi Berti continues the family's combined hospitality and viticulture project