Castello di Volpaia

Volpaia is a fortified village in Chianti Classico north of Radda in Chianti; the first documents mention it in the year 1172. The wine estate belongs to the Mascheroni Stianti family, who by their own account have over the generations turned the village entirely back to wine, olive oil and vinegar. The cellars lie within the old walls of the village.

According to the website, the vines grow on around 45 hectares above 400 metres, mostly on sandstone soils. In September 2000 the estate began its formal conversion to organic farming. Alongside Chianti Classico, three wines are made that the estate calls crus: Coltassala, Il Puro and Balifico. The village takes its name from the Florentine della Volpaia family; Lorenzo della Volpaia, a friend of Leonardo da Vinci, built the planetary clock for the Palazzo Vecchio.

Guests stay in rooms in the village, in the Frantoio apartment or in the villas La Pozza and Casavecchia; further rooms are offered by the Locanda three kilometres away. There are also an osteria with a terrace, a bakery, a gelateria and tastings that can be booked through the website. With Giovanna Stianti you can take a half-day cooking class. The estate suits wine travellers who stay several days in Chianti and do not want to drive in the evening.