Gagliole is an organic estate in Castellina in Chianti in the Chianti Classico DOCG region of Tuscany. Gagliole was first cited in a document of AD 949. The estate was purchased by Dr Thomas Bär in 1990. Thomas Bär told me he took ten years to persuade Gagliole’s then owner to sell to him. The farm was already producing wine and oil. 1995 was the first vintage with Luca d’Attoma as consultant. As well as Chianti Classico, wines are also made under the Colli della Toscana Centrale denomination.

Owners: Dr Thomas Bär. Head of a Zurich law firm; chairman of Switzerland’s largest bank. Also Monika and Thomas Bär – Bettschart.

Vineyards: 20 hectares. The first vineyard lies on the highest ridge of the Conca d’Oro, at 420– 510 metres and facing south-west. It comprises two hectares of clay-limestone rich in minerals. The second vineyard, at an altitude of 400 metres and north-west facing, consists of about one hectare of looser, galestro-rich soil.

Another 4ha of mainly Sangiovese vines are located 2km from the winery, also in Castellina in Chianti. 

Organic certification: 2019 First vintage with full organic certification.

Winery: In Panzano–see above. Concrete and stainless steel vats. Winery offices, tasting room

Red wines

Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Gagliole: The flagship wine. From the Conca d’Oro. | 2014 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. | 2015 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. | 2016 98% Sangiovese, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Chianti Classico DOCG, Rubiolo: 2016 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot. A bit green-tasting (Anteprima 2018). | 2017 10% Sangiovese. | 2019 A bit gritty (Anteprima 2022.).

Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, Gallule: The name pays tribute to the terraced vineyards around the villa in Castellina in Chianti. | 2016 100% Sangiovese.

Valletta: A Merlot-Sangiovese blend.

Pecchia: 100% Sangiovese. Only made in the best years.

Contact

Gagliole

Loc. Gagliole 42

53011 Castellina in Chianti (SI), Italy

Tel+39 0577.740369 | Website: www.gagliole.com

Bibliography

Richard Baudains, ‘Meet the neighbours’, Decanter Italy supplement 2001, p.24-30.