Castello di Brolio ★★☆

The Chianti as a region may date to the 1200s, but Chianti Classico as a wine was born at this famous castle in the mid–19C.

The Brolio castle has been in the Ricasoli family since 1141, though its vineyards date from at least 1007; the current fortress was rebuilt in 1484.

“Iron Baron” Bettino Ricasoli inherited it in 1829 at age 20 and, before he went off in 1848 to help found a unified Italy and become its second prime minister, spent his days here, teaching—really dictating—scientific farming methods to his peasants. He also whiled the time tinkering with grape varietals.

By the mid–19C, he’d arrived at a quaffable formula balancing sangiovese, canaiolo, trebbiano, and malvasia grapes that was used when Italy’s wine-governing DOC and DOCG laws were written in the 1960s.

You can visit the castle grounds, including the small chapel (Bettino rests in peace in the family crypt) and the gardens, and walk along the wall for a good view of the lower Chianti valleys.

The castle gardens are open daily from 10am Mar 20–8 Dec for €5 ($6) (includes a tasting).

After years of being passed from larger to larger corporate ownership, Brolio declined as a winery; then in 1993 the Baron Francesco Ricasoli bought it from Seagram’s and brought it back into the family.

He effected a drastic turnaround, investing billions of lire, replanting vines, and rigorously revising the philosophy to rocket Brolio back to superstardom and respect on the Italian wine scene, winning acclaim and awards once again. They now produce several wines, including the newest—a single Castello di Brolio, 100% sangiovese Chianti Classico—they’re going for the French châteaux concept, where the wine is associated with a place, not a brand.

To buy their award-winning wines, visit the enoteca (wine shop) daily from 10am (closed Sat-Sun Jan –Mar 19)..

They offer cantina and vineyard tours by appointment for €30 ($36)–€45 ($54) (call at least a few days in advance) with a wine tasting at the end.

On the side of the private road up to the castello is also a quite good Osteria del Castello restaurant, closed Thurs (tel. 0577-747-277).

Chianti tours

 

Small-Group Chianti Wine-Tasting and Castles Trip from Siena

8h | from €140

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Combine Chianti's fine wines with its impressive castles on a full-day trip from Siena! Giving the rugged Tuscan landscape a remarkable grandeur, these stunning Italian castles are a must-see for any visitor to the region. With your expert guide, visit Castello di Brolio, renowned as the birthplace of Chianti wine. Sample the esteemed Chianti Classico wine, enjoy an authentic Italian lunch at a Tuscan wine estate and tour the region’s best wineries.
Numbers are limited to eight people on your small-group trip, ensuring you'll receive personalized attention from your guide.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Tuscan Escapes - Day Tours, Siena, Tuscany

...

Duration: 5 minutes

Stop At: Castello di Brolio, Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany

visit the gardens of Castello di Brolio, learn about its history and enjoy the stunning views overlooking the nighbouring valleys and hills before tasting their fantastic wines

Duration: 50 minutes

Stop At: Castello di Vertine, Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany

visit the beautiful hamlet of Vertine that was once a fortified medieval village

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Castello di Ama, Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany

Enjoy the medieval hamlet with its chapels and modern art scultures and savour a meal and the fantastic wines at Ristoro di Ama

Duration: 2 hours

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Chianti Classico wine tour - Fridays from SIENA

7h | from €140

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We'll start at the Castello di Brolio, one of the most spectacular castles in the region where we will visit the vineyards and hear the history of the family that eventually wrote the recipe of the Chianti Classico wine.
Shortly after we'll visit a small organic producer of high-quality wines together with the winemaker and enjoy a superb first wine tasting in this area, not to mention a delicious taste of wines that are hard to find outside our territory.
Then the trip goes to a small winery for a lovely winery visit and tasting of excellent wines made at the farm. Here we will be treated to a freshly made meal at the winery. During lunch you can enjoy some more incredibly views and of course, there's always time to shop for some wine at the wineries.
We'll stop for a walkabout in the village Castellina in Chianti. Enjoy a stroll around the medieval streets and perhaps treat yourself to a gelato before heading back.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Tuscan Wine Tours from Siena by Grape Tours, Siena, Tuscany

We meet in the front of the San Domenico Church in Siena 5 minutes before start, and this is the drop-off point, too.

Duration: 5 minutes

Pass By: Castello di Brolio, Gaiole in Chianti, Tuscany

Stop to view the vineyards

Stop At: Società Agricola Il Palazzino dei Fratelli Sderci Alessandro Andrea Ss

Wine tour with the owner followed by a wine tasting of 4-5 wines

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Pro Loco Radda in Chianti

Stop in Radda in Chianti to see the village

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Querceto di Castellina Azienda Agricola

Tour of the cellars followed by home cooked Tuscan lunch and tasting of 4 wines

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Rocca di Castellina in Chianti

Stop in the village Castellina in Chianti for a stroll / shopping / more wine tasting

Duration: 30 minutes

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