Castello di Cacchiano
“In 1983, when I began my personal adventure into the world of wine, I knew that in whatever I could accomplish, I would never be able to ignore my history and background. And with the word history, I also recall many other stories other than my own, that of my family, of my land and of the territory that produces Chianti Classico.”
– Giovanni Ricasoli Firidolfi
We’re thrilled to welcome Castello di Cacchiano, an estate owned by Giovanni Ricasoli-Firidolfi, a descendant of the celebrated Ricasoli family who have played a pivotal role in the history and development of their esteemed wine appellation. The story begins in the 10th century when the noble family chose to build a manor house on the site of a former Roman settlement in the small village of Cacchiano. For over a thousand years, the castle has stood proudly, overlooking the hillsides of the eponymous area in the province of Siena, right in the heart of Chianti Classico’s wine-producing region. The estate extends over an area of 200 hectares (494 acres), with 36 hectares (89 acres) dedicated to vineyards nestled among fields, woodlands, and olive groves, creating a landscape rich in natural biodiversity.
The vineyards are situated on the Monti in Chianti plateau at altitudes ranging from 340 to 490 meters above sea level (1,115 to 1,608 feet), predominantly facing south. The grape varieties grown here include the historic Sangiovese, Colorino, Malvasia Nera, Bianca, and Canaiolo, originally recommended by Giovanni’s great-grandfather, Bettino Ricasoli, as well as Merlot. The estate’s soils, a blend of silt, clay, marly limestone, and calcareous sandstone, impart freshness, elegance, robust tannic structure, and remarkable complexity and longevity to the wines produced.
Castello di Cacchiano is more specifically located within the U.G.A. (Additional Geographical Unit) of Gaiole in Chianti: an area well respected for the production of red wines and traditional Vin Santo. One of its notable wines, Millennio, is made exclusively from Sangiovese grapes, produced only in exceptional vintages and limited quantities. This wine, made from meticulously selected grapes from the estate’s best vineyards, captures the exceptional character of Sangiovese from the U.G.A of Gaiole in Chianti, and its name honors the castle’s millennial history.
The territory surrounding Castello di Cacchiano has always been an area renowned for producing fine wines but has also played a pivotal role in shaping and making important decisions for the entire region collaboratively with the estate. In 1924, Giovanni’s grandfather, Luigi Ricasoli-Firidolfi, was a founding member of the Consortium of Producers, now known as the Consorzio del Vino Chianti Classico. Today, Giovanni continues this legacy, ensuring that Castello di Cacchiano remains a symbol of excellence seamlessly blending historical significance and the tradition of winemaking.