Castello di Cacchiano is an estate in Monti in Chianti, a locality (‘frazione’) in Gaiole-in-Chianti in the Chianti Classico DOCG region of Tuscany, Italy. It produces Chianti Classico DOCG red wines and Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC.

Owner: A branch (cousins in fact) of the Ricasoli-Firidolfi family (related to the Ricasoli-Firidolfis at nearby Castello di Brolio). In the family since the 11th century. Giovanni Ricasoli-Firidolfi boasts as an ancestor, Baron Bettino Ricasoli (1809-1880), twice prime minister of Italy, and a key advocate of making Chianti (Classico) a Sangiovese-based wine. The Ricasoli family has Lombard (Longobard) origins. The Castle played a key role in the medieval wars between the city states of Siena and Florence (Firenze). Cacchiano was on the side of Florence,  and defended Florentine territory first against Siena, and their allies, and then against the Aragonese. Estate bottling began in 1974 under Alberto Ricasoli-Firidolfi and his wife, Elisabetta Balbi Valier. In 2003 Baron Giovanni Ricasoli-Firidolfi was elected the new president of the Consorzio Gallo Nero (Chianti Classico DOCG). He is a descendent of the ‘father’ of Chianti Classico Baron Bettino Ricasoli and first cousin of Baron Francesco Ricasoli of Brolio. He succeeded EmanuelaStucchi Prinetti of Badia a Coltibuono.

Staff: Export Manager: Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi. | Manager: Giovanni Ricasoli-Firidolfi. | Consultant Oen (2019): Stefano Chioccioli.

Vineyards: 2019 22ha. In Monti in Chianti. 400-450 metres. Mainly Sangiovese, plus Canaiolo and Malvasia.

Sparkling wines

Spumante Brut Rosè Metodo Classico: 100% Sangiovese. Traditional method. Launched in December 2011. 

Pink wines

Toscana Rosato IGT, Castello di Cacchiano: 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, Canaiolo, Malvasia Bianca del Chianti.

Toscana Rosato IGT, FonteMerlano: 2013 100% Merlot.

Red wines

Chianti Classico DOCG, Castello di Cacchiano: 2013 95% Sangiovese, 4% Canaiolo, 4% Malvasia Nera, Colorino. Find this a bit confected (cultured yeast red fruit), soft, polished red cherry (Anteprima 2019).

Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, Castello di Cacchiano: 2013 95% Sangiovese, 4% Canaiolo, 1% Malvasia Nera.

Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione, Millennio: 2013 100% Sangiovese. 

Vin Santo

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC, Castello di Cacchiano: 2004 85% Malvasia del Chianti , 15% Canaiolo.

Contact

Castello di Cacchiano

Loc. Cacchiano, Monti in Chianti

53010 Gaiole in Chianti (SI), Italy

Tel+39 0557.747018 | Website: See here. 

Bibliography

Bill Nesto MW & Frances Di Savino, Chianti Classico, the Search for Tuscany’s Noblest Wine, (University of California Press, 2016).