Perched atop one of the highest points in Castellina, in the heart of Chianti, Castagnoli is one of the latest additions to our Italian range. The wines first came to our attention when tasting them at a Sangiovese masterclass led by Walter Speller and our 'very own' Piero Lanza of Poggerino; we knew we'd found something special. 

Named after the chestnut forests that used to dominate the landscape, the first mention of Castagnoli is as far back as 979, when it was first an abbey. The vineyard was planted in 1978, with the creation of terraces (terrazze) on the very steep southern and south-westerly slopes making the terrain more manageable. The Sangiovese vines were then supported on stakes, much like the alberelli of Etna. The current owners, the Shefernacker family, have honed their skills on these almost impossible to manage slopes, meticulously doing everything by hand. This does result in back-breaking work, but the quality of the Terrazze Riserva is the proof needed to stick with this bygone technique. 

The Terraze Chianti Classico Riserva is an amazingly elegant wine that wouldn't look out of place in Montalcino. This wine is simply delicious and so polished with an intensity of spicy fruit, crunchy tannic structure giving 'grown-up' almost claret like light austerity, but still vibrant, supple and long. Exactly what you are looking to be drinking in the middle of a cold snap such as this. This is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill Chianti, but the quality offers amazing value for money, and will warm the cockles and bring a smile to your face, and will age beautifully too.

Best wishes,
The Lea & Sandeman Team

Sangiovese | 14.5% | Organic & Bio-dynamic

Read more about Castagnoli on our producer page here.