Beautiful and historic wineries that are located in the most extraordinary settings are not unusual in Tuscany but, though there are many and many that we have discussed in this blog on numerous occasions in the past, there are many more excellent examples that we have yet to discover and for visitors to the region to discover. So, if you're a serious wine-lover who is thinking of planning a vacation sometime soon, there can be no doubt that Tuscany makes for a truly idyllic and perfect holiday destination to go and see where great Italian wines are made, taste wines, learn about them, buy and ship bottles home, and to engage in a vibrant and ancient wine culture.
One particularly scenic and lovely winery in which one can do all of the above and more besides is the beautiful Castello di Monsanto. While the Castello di Monsanto actually dates back to the middle of the 18th century and wine production in the area goes back centuries, it is in the last fifty years that the estate has become home to the Bianchi family and their beloved wines. Located in Barberino Val d'Elsa, in western Chianti Classico, a bit northwest of Castellina in Chianti, this incredible historic castle was where founder Aldo Bianchi, a native of San Gimignano who had first left Tuscany before the Second World War to seek fortune elsewhere in the North of Italy, found himself at a wedding. Taking in the amazing views across at his hometown of San Gimignano, over the hills of the Chianti Fiorentino region, and right to Monte Amiata and the Apuan Alps from the terrace of the castle, Aldo fell in love. Within a few months, he owned the Castello di Monsanto.
One particularly scenic and lovely winery in which one can do all of the above and more besides is the beautiful Castello di Monsanto. While the Castello di Monsanto actually dates back to the middle of the 18th century and wine production in the area goes back centuries, it is in the last fifty years that the estate has become home to the Bianchi family and their beloved wines. Located in Barberino Val d'Elsa, in western Chianti Classico, a bit northwest of Castellina in Chianti, this incredible historic castle was where founder Aldo Bianchi, a native of San Gimignano who had first left Tuscany before the Second World War to seek fortune elsewhere in the North of Italy, found himself at a wedding. Taking in the amazing views across at his hometown of San Gimignano, over the hills of the Chianti Fiorentino region, and right to Monte Amiata and the Apuan Alps from the terrace of the castle, Aldo fell in love. Within a few months, he owned the Castello di Monsanto.
His son, Fabrizio, found bottles of wine in the cellars while exploring the castle and having been instilled with a passion for wine by his grandmother, quickly realised the true value of his father's purchase. Fabrizio and his wife, Giuliana, began planting new vines on the estate and renovating the farmhouses that were clustered around the grounds. Since those beginnings, the family has lovingly built their brand and reputation among the wineries of the famous Chianti region through generations of hard work and ingenious innovations such as Fabrizio's idea, in 1962, to make a wine from the grapes of a single vineyard, something that had never before been done in the Chianti Classico, region. These grapes harvested from the Il Poggio vineyard became the very first Chianti Classico Cru. Another clever new idea came in the early 1970s, when steel fermentation tanks replaced the traditional wooden tanks and allowed for much easier controlling of the temperatures inside.
Other signature wines for Castello di Monsanto followed in the years afterwards. Confident in the quality of Sangiovese, Fabrizio created the Fabrizio Bianchi Sangioveto Grosso wine in 1974, a table wine that was made from 100% Sangiovese grapes and which was integral in helping to improve the reputation of the Sangiovese grape in Tuscany. Around the same time, the Valdigallo vineyard was planted and the Fabrizio Bianchi Chardonnay was born soon after as they attempted to make a white wine that would be worthy of the name of the company. In 1981, a pure Cabernet Sauvignon was produced.
Other signature wines for Castello di Monsanto followed in the years afterwards. Confident in the quality of Sangiovese, Fabrizio created the Fabrizio Bianchi Sangioveto Grosso wine in 1974, a table wine that was made from 100% Sangiovese grapes and which was integral in helping to improve the reputation of the Sangiovese grape in Tuscany. Around the same time, the Valdigallo vineyard was planted and the Fabrizio Bianchi Chardonnay was born soon after as they attempted to make a white wine that would be worthy of the name of the company. In 1981, a pure Cabernet Sauvignon was produced.
One of the biggest projects, and certainly one of the most ambitious examples of all of their innovations and experiments, at the winery came in 1986 when the building of a 300m long underground gallery to store the wooden barrels of wine was begun. It took six years to complete and was made using only the galestro rocks that had been excavated when creating the vineyards and using a medieval technique of wooden arches to create a stunning low Etruscan arched tunnel.
During this period (in 1989, to be exact), the next generation of the Bianchi family became involved in the business when Fabrizio's daughter, Laura, began working for the company. Laura learned from the ground up, becoming informed about every aspect of the business, until she became the new leading force for the next era at Castello di Monsanto.
During this period (in 1989, to be exact), the next generation of the Bianchi family became involved in the business when Fabrizio's daughter, Laura, began working for the company. Laura learned from the ground up, becoming informed about every aspect of the business, until she became the new leading force for the next era at Castello di Monsanto.
Today, the estate and her wines have gained a much-deserved excellent reputation both in Italy and further afield on a global scale. There are now nine different wines that they produce, including the Castello di Monsanto Chianto Classico D.O.C.G., the Castello di Monsanto Riverva Chianto Classico D.O.C.G. Riserva, the Il Poggio Chianto Classico D.O.C.G. Gran Selezione, the Fabrizio Bianchi Sangioveto Grosso IGT Toscana, the Nemo IGT Toscana, the Fabrizio Bianchi Chardonnay IGT Toscana, the Fabrizio Bianchi Rosato IGT Toscana, the Monrosso Chianto D.O.C.G., and the La Chimera Vinsanto D.O.C. del Chianti Classico. However, this beautiful castle and her grounds are not only home to an incredible winery and wines but are also, in their own right, extraordinary attractions and paired with those delicious wines make for the perfect place to try, buy, and learn all about Tuscan wines and the wines of the famous Chianti region.
You just need to book your visit in advance and then you can come and learn about the main Tuscan Designation of Origin wines, the cultivation techniques that are used in the estate's vineyards, the various production phases involved in creating the wines, you can explore the grounds and cellars, and you can enjoy an informative tasting of three of the estate's wines (which are included in the cost of the tour) over the course of about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The whole thing will only set you back around twenty euros (contact the estate for the latest details and pricing information) and you can make a complete day of culinary delights in Tuscany out of it, if you so please, by arranging to eat in the castle as well (again, this must be booked in advance).
A must-see for wine-lovers exploring Chianti Classico and those staying in the Barberino Val d'Elsa area, in particular, this is one of the most exceptionally beautiful wineries that you could ever hope to visit.
You just need to book your visit in advance and then you can come and learn about the main Tuscan Designation of Origin wines, the cultivation techniques that are used in the estate's vineyards, the various production phases involved in creating the wines, you can explore the grounds and cellars, and you can enjoy an informative tasting of three of the estate's wines (which are included in the cost of the tour) over the course of about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The whole thing will only set you back around twenty euros (contact the estate for the latest details and pricing information) and you can make a complete day of culinary delights in Tuscany out of it, if you so please, by arranging to eat in the castle as well (again, this must be booked in advance).
A must-see for wine-lovers exploring Chianti Classico and those staying in the Barberino Val d'Elsa area, in particular, this is one of the most exceptionally beautiful wineries that you could ever hope to visit.