Castello del Trebbio is an estate in Pontassieve in Tuscany, not far from Florence, located between the Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG and Chianti Rùfina DOCG wine zones. Its wine range includes Chianti DOCG, Chianti Rufina DOCG reds and a Vin Santo del Chianti DOC. The names of the wines derive from the “Conspiracy Room” in the Castle nucleus, named after the story of the Conspiracy with is part of Florentine history.
Owner: The Castello del Trebbio – a picturesque castle of which more below – was founded by the de’Pazzi family in the 12th century. It has been owned by the Baj Macario family since 1968. Since 1995 it has been managed directly by Anna Baj Macario and her husband Stefano Casadei, who looks after the winemaking side. The couple also own and manage two additional wine estates, Tenuta Olianas in Sardinia and another in the Maremma in the Val di Cornia in Tuscany at Tenuta Casadei.
The castle: The Baj Macario family still lives in the estate’s historic castle. This dates to 1184 and was first constructed in 1184 by the noble Florentine banking family called Pazzi. Although first built in the 12th century, the Castle was enlarged in the following centuries. At the height of Florence Renaissance on 26 April 1478, the Pazzi family masterminded the now infamous plot to kill two outstanding representatives of Florence’s ruling family, Lorenzo de’ Medici and his brother Giuliano de Medici. It was a partial failure as Lorenzo was wounded but survived whilst Giuliano was killed. With the “Pazzi Conspiracy,” the family – long rivals of the Medici–intended to eliminate Lorenzo de’ Medici and so dethrone Florence’s ruler. Co-conspirators with the de’Pazzi family were Pope Sixtus IV, and the enlightened Federico da Montefeltro, then Duke of Urbino. After the failed conspiracy, the Castle was confiscated by the Republic of Florence. Today, in the Castle nucleus, the magnificent “Conspiracy Room” can be admired. In homage to the story of the Conspiracy, we’ve given to our best wines names inspired by this Florentine piece of history.
Vineyards: Near Florence, located between the Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG and Chianti Rufina wine zones. 350 hectares of land of which 60ha are vineyards. Gentle terrain.
Grapes: Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero, Ciliegiolo, Malvasia, Pinot Grigio, Trebbiano Toscano, Merlot, Syrah, Manzoni Bianco and Riesling.
Winery: The ancient cellars can be visited.
Sparkling wines
Metodo Classico:
White wines
IGT Toscana Bianco, Bianco della Congiura: 50% Riesling, 35% Pinot grigio, 15% Manzoni bianco. 2013 Bottled.
IGT Toscana Viognier Casa Dei: 2013 Bottled.
Red wines
Toscana Rosso IGT Armonia Casa Dei: 2013 Bottled.
Toscana Rosso IGT Cabernet Franc Casa Dei: 2012 Bottled.
Toscana Rosso IGT Merlot: 2008 Bottled.
Toscana Rosso IGT Petit Verdot Casa Dei: 2012 Bottled.
Toscana Rosso IGT Pazzesco: 60% Merlot, 40% Syrah. | 2007 Bottled. | 2008 Bottled. | 2011 Merlot, Syrah.
Vigneti Trebbio: 2009 Bottled. | 2010 Bottled. | 2011 Sangiovese and Syrah mainly, plus other grapes.
IGT Toscana Rosso, Vigneti Trebbio: 2010 70% Sangiovese, 15% Syrah & Cabernet Franc. £15-29.99. Elegant, bright, red fruit and violets, plus cherry. Clean and clear, refinement on nose, and on palate too, chewy but with lift despite its concentration. Silver at DWWA 3rd May 2013.
Chianti DOCG: 2013 Bottled.
Chianti Superiore DOCG Castello Trebbio (sic): Sangiovese 85%, 15% Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo. | 2019 13% alc. A well put together red with medium depth, smooth tannins and plenty of juicy tangy fruit (October 2021).
Chianti Rùfina DOCG, Lastricato: 2009 100% Sangiovese. Mass selection from the estate’s nursery. 16.9+ Points. Silver at DWWA 2nd May 2013. | 2018 Lastricato Terrae Electae: Calcareous soils with a clayey matrix.
Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva Lastricato: 2006 20 months in barrels and tonneaux. | 2010 Bottled. | 2013 Bottled. | 2016 13.5%. A very tidy and enjoyable red, medium weight, lightly saline and easy to enjoy (November 2021). 2018: 100% Sangiovese. Fermented in amphorae and matured for 30 months in 20hl barrels.
Toscana Rosso IGT De’ Pazzi: 60% Sangiovese, 20% Syrah, 20% Merlot.
Dried grape wines
Vin Santo del Chianti DOC: 60% Trebbiano Toscano, 30% Malvasia, 10% Colombana.
Other activities: Agritourism. Extra virgin olive oil, saffron and spelt (‘farro’), seasonal jams, and cosmetics created using the estate’s own natural ingredients (exploiting the high antioxidant potential of oil and wine by-products). The owners also created a private agricultural company called Tecnovite, which specializes in the research, planting, and management of vineyards and olive groves (for themselves as well as for other wineries). They also own and manage two additional wine estates, one in Maremma (Tenuta Casadei) and one in Sardinia (Agricola Olianas). Biointegrali® practices.
Contact
Castello del Trebbio
Via Santa Brigida, 9
50065, Pontassieve (FI), Italy
Website: www.castellodeltrebbio.it