THE TERRITORY
CASTELFIORENTINO
THE REAL HEART
OF TUSCANY
Castelfiorentino, a municipality in the Florence province, is located at the border with the province of Pisa and 15 km away from the province of Siena. Due to its position, the village had strategic importance for the city of Florence, in particular during the period of the municipal wars. This is also proven by the privilege of being able to bear the Florentine lily in the municipal banner.
Since 1149, the name of “Castello Fiorentino” was given to “Castelvecchio” or “Castel Timignano” built near the Francigena road, and it was in this fortified castle that in 1260, after the Montaperti battle, the peace treaty between Florence and Siena was signed. More recently Castelfiorentino experienced a phase of great progress and rebirth during the Grand Duchy of Lorena, becoming a Chancellery and Town Hall: it was then annexed to the Kingdom of Italy and in 1868 became a district capital.
We are located in a unique land full of history, art and beauty where the soil has always been generous with its quality crops, especially vines and olive trees. Vineyards and their wine, like everything that is alive, feed not only on the soil on which they rest, but of the entire universe that populates the surrounding environment. In the end, it is also all this that we find in our glass of wine, and it is one of the many charming aspects of the wine itself.
THE TERROIR
Tuscany is one of the most iconic places in the world: in addition to its well-known beauty, here there are optimal conditions for the cultivation of vines and olive trees, so much so that since ancient times the region has intensely developed these crops and turned them into a staple of Tuscany’s landscapes.
Our vineyard, cultivated according to the “Guyot” system, extends into the hills in an area with a special microclimate. The south-eastern exposure allows the vineyard to greatly benefit from sunshine, while the predominantly clayey subsoil gives the wines their intense colour, flavour, and valuable longevity.
The vines of our estate are Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc for the reds and Trebbiano Toscano, Vermentino, Malvasia Toscana, Chardonnay and San Colombano for the whites.
Sangiovese, the native Tuscan grape par excellence, harmonizes well with Cabernet, present in this region since the sixteenth century. They were known as “French grapes” because they were introduced from France to Tuscany by Caterina de Medici, who in 1533 became queen of France by marrying Henry II. The other white grapes are equally typical of our region except for the Chardonnay, which however has found an ideal habitat in these hills.
Even the olive groves express their Tuscan identity through the traditional cultivars Frantoio, Leccino, and Pendolino whose intertwining of flavours gives the oil high quality characteristics.
Alongside the production of oil, Paolo also produces vinegar from white wine.
Golf
In Castelfalfi, Golf 18 holes, 6645 meters in length, par 73, 15 minutes drive from Il Petriccio
Tennis
In Castelfiorentino there are tennis courts near the stadium.
Horse riding
At about 5 miles distance.
Fishing
At about 15 minutes drive
Trekking
Several trekking paths are available, with or without mountain bike. In Castelfiorentino it is possible to rent bikes
City center
Castelfiorentino is only 1,5 miles from the estate
Restaurants
Several choices in Castelfiorentino and surroundings, as suggested in the welcome package on arrival
General purchases
Food and non-food items can be purchased at the COOP supermarket in Castelfiorentino as well as in local shops.
Local markets
There are local markets in the morning (usually from 8 am till 1pm) in the following nearby cities:
Monday: San Casciano.
Tuesday: Montespertoli, San Miniato, Poggibonsi.
Wednesday: Siena, Pisa, Certaldo.
Thursday: San Gimignano, Cerbaia, Empoli, Tavarnelle.
Friday: Montaione.
Saturday: Castelfiorentino, Montelupo, Greve in Chianti.