Castello di Querceto is an estate winery in Località Querceto in Greve in Chianti in the Chianti Classico DOCG region of Tuscany, Italy. It was one of the founding producers of Chianti Classico in 1924. The castle has massive walls, crenelated towers, and both ancient and more modern cellars. Other wines include IGT Colli della Toscana Centrale, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC. Grapes or wines are also bought in for the ‘Le Capanne’ and (somewhat confusing) ‘Querceto’ labels.

Owner: The estate has been in the François family since 1899 when it was bought by Carlo François and his wife Elvira Colombini. They planted the first vines. Around 80 years later, in 1978 their nephew  Dott. Ing. Alessandro François (I did a Podcast with him during Vinitaly 2017) and his wife Maria Antonietta Corsi decided to get involved in managing the company and take over control of it. This was the beginning of profound renovation, both structural and philosophical, with investments in both agriculture and transformation, producing the result that today Castello di Querceto’s wines are known in around fifty countries in five continents.

Vineyards: In NW Chianti Classico. 25km (15 miles) from Florence. 200ha of land of which half is forest. On slopes in a small valley above Greve in Chianti. “High hills of Greve”. Cool soils, hold water. 350-650 m. a.s.l. Cretaceous. Schist. Rocky. Polychromatic (mixed soil colours). Soils so diverse a cru program was started in the 1970s.| 2019 70ha of vines.

Viticulture: 5.500–7.500 vines per hectare. Cover crops: Mustard, cereals and broad beans (Vicia faba) or ‘favino’, for nitrogen.

Single vineyards

Il Picchio & I Terreni vineyards: The Il Picchio vineyard was replanted in 1993. It faces east-south-east at 420-450 metres above sea level. Surrounded by forest. Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino. Planted 1983. The neighbouring vineyard is I Terreni. 4.5ha overall. See the Il Picchio wine, below.

Isciata vineyard: 250m. South-facing. 2ha of Cabernet Sauvignon used for the Il Sole di Alessandro red.

La Corte: Planted 1973. 4ha. 440-470 metres. 7,500 vines/ha. Slow-burn wines (probably on clay…).

Le Sorgente–see the Cignale red wine.

Ponticini: Eee the Cignale red wine.

Querciolaia de’ Pitti: Planted 1981, directly below the castle. 3.5ha. South-facing. 390-430m. See the Querciolaia red wine, below.

Sparkling wines

François 1er: Traditional method. Chardonnay. 1982 Debut.

François 2ème: Traditional method. Chardonnay and Pinot noir. 1986 Debut.

Red wines

Chianti Classico DOCG, Castello di Querceto: 92% Sangiovese 92%, 8% Canaiolo, Colorino, Mammolo and Ciliegiolo. | 2017 92% Sangiovese, 8% other grapes. Firm, light (2019 Anteprima). | 2018 92% Sangiovese, 8% Canaiolo and Colorino.

Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, Castello di Querceto: 2010 95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo. Second bottle much cleaner than the first: crisp bramble fruit, bright, nicely weighted, reviving (Silver, DWWA 2013). | 2015 92% Sangiovese, 8% other grapes. | 2017 92% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 3% Colorino.

Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione, Il Picchio: From the Il Picchio and neighbouring I Terreni vineyards. | 2011 Debut as a Gran Selezione. | 2015 95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo. Aged in French oak, old and new. Dark colour. Good structure and flavour (2019 Anteprima). | 2016 95% Sangiovese, 5% Colorino. | 2017 15,000 bottles. | 2017 Very hot. Dark, muscular, tarry (2020 Anteprima).

Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione, La Corte: First made in 1978 (but not as a Gran Selezione. 100% Sangiovese. From the La Corte vineyard, see above. | 2017 First time labelled as a Gran Selezione. | 2017 100% Sangiovese. 8,000 bottles.

Cento: 100% Sangiovese. Selection of the best grapes. Made in 1995 and 1997 to celebrate the estate’s centinary.

Cignale, Colli della Toscana Centrale: From two contiguous vineyards called Ponticini and La Sorgente planted in 1981 with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 4ha in total.490-520 metres South and South-east facing. 12–15,000 bottles.| 1986 Debut.

Cognate, Colli della Toscana Centrale: 2008 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot. Some funk/VA on the nose, sappy and citric to taste, dry and medicinal (DWWA 2013). | 2012 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot.

Il Sole di Alessandro, Colli della Toscana Centrale: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2ha Isciata vineyard (see above). The wine is dedicated to the François family’s archeologist ancestor, Alessandro François.

Il Querciolaia, Colli della Toscana Centrale: Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Querceto Romantic or QR: The name QR refers to QueRceto Romantic [sic]. From three vineyards of Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot. 4,000–5,000 bottles. Oak aged. | 2009 Debut.

Vin Santo

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOCG, Castello di Querceto: 2014 Malvasia del Chianti, Trebbiano toscano, San Colombano. | 2015 Malvasia del Chianti, Trebbiano toscano, San Colombano.15% alc. Bit of funk (Anteprima 2020).

Contact

Castello di Querceto

Loc. Querceto, Fraz. Lucolena

Via Dudda 61,

50020 Greve in Chianti (FI), Italy

Tel+39 055.85921 | Website: www.castellodiquerceto.it