Castello di Bolgheri

The winery Castello di Bolgheri is the historical nucleus of the winegrowing around Bolgheri. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the Viale di San Guido, which runs dead straight, is almost five kilometres long and is decorated on both sides with around 2,000 cypress trees. Today, the vineyards are spread around the medieval village on a total area of 1,220 hectares, of which 1,050 hectares are used for the production of Bolgheri DOC. A small, but fine group of winegrowers cavort in the cultivation area, which provides for a moderate production.

Since 1984 the Castello di Bolgheri has owned 130 hectares of land. Almost 40 percent of the area is planted with vines, all of which are located in the northern part of Bolgheri DOC. The area is well known for its favourable terroir – also due to the natural drainage. The origins of the winery date back to the 13th century. Since then the castle has belonged to the Count della Gherardesca family, who also resided there. The Castello now belongs to the same family in the 30th generation. The wine cellar was built in the middle of the 18th century directly behind the castle.

Countess Franca Spalletti Trivelli inherited the Castello in 1984 from her mother, Countess Alessandra della Gherardesca. When she died two years later, it was time for a new planting of the vines and a partial marketing of the wines. Since the death of Countess Franca Spalletti Trivelli in 2010, his son Conte Federico Zileri dal Verme has been the sole owner of the estate.

In 1997, the vineyards were planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot, varieties typical of Bolgheri. The cultivated areas are located around the wine village in the immediate vicinity of the vineyards of Sassicaia and Ornellaia. The most important wine today is the Castello di Bolgheri Superiore, which is aged in barrels for 24 months. The first vintage of this dark purple, elegant and deep drop was first sold in 2004 as Annata 2001.

Count Federico Zileri Dal Verme, together with the oenologist Alessandro Dondi from South Tyrol, today looks after the vineyards and cellars. Federico was also appointed President of the Consorzio Bolgheri DOC in April 2013. He succeeded Marchese Nicoló Incisa della Rocchetta, whose family produces the cult wine Sassicaia in the Tenuta San Guido. The legacy of Castelli di Bolgheri has set itself the ambitious goal of making wines from the quality region famous throughout the world beyond Italy. SUPERIORE.DE

"Castello di Bolgheri is considered to be the top winery in its production area. With impressive reliability, this property has repeatedly produced best results in recent years. Finally, the persistent search for the optimal interpretation of a great terroir pays off."Gambero Rosso