Throughout its nearly thousand years of history, wine production has always been associated with Castello di Meleto, and today the goal is to fully express the talent of this place.
Castello di Meleto is a complex and fascinating reality where history, wine, and tourism intertwine. Located in Gaiole in Chianti, 30 km from Siena and 60 km from Florence, in the heart of Chianti Classico, one of the most well-known Italian wine areas in the world.
The history of Castello di Meleto is quite unique, and it has passed through different eras over the centuries. Its connection with wine began in the 11th century with the Benedictine monks, but it was in 1256 that the first written mention of its name appeared. Since then, the external appearance of the castle has remained almost unchanged: at first sight, the fortress appears perfectly intact.
The mission of Viticola Toscana was to move away from a more industrialized agricultural approach of the 1960s and rediscover the ancient roots of wine production. Viticola Toscana is the realization of a dream shared by many individuals who, pooling their resources and savings, accomplished something extraordinary. That is why, more than anywhere else, the highest value at Castello di Meleto is attributed to people.
In 1966, Italian agriculture experienced a period of great enthusiasm with the implementation of the Green Plan and the removal of customs barriers within the Common Market, which brought around a hundred thousand workers back to the countryside within two years. In May 1968, Gianni Mazzocchi, the director of the monthly economics magazine Quattrosoldi, conceived Operation Vigneti, what we would now call crowdfunding. He invited readers to participate in the purchase of company shares at a price of ten thousand lire each, with a minimum requirement of one hundred shares.
This was a significant amount considering that the average salary of an Italian at the time was around one hundred and twenty thousand lire. This initiative yielded excellent results, as half a billion lire was raised in just two months. With these funds, the decision was made to restore viticulture in Meleto, eliminate sharecropping, and hire the first vineyard workers, who are still actively involved today. Thus, Viticola Toscana was born, the realization of a dream shared by one thousand six hundred people from all over Italy, which allowed the recovery of an Italian heritage that was at risk of being lost.
The Additional Geographical Unit (UGA) is a classification introduced by the Consortium for the Protection of Chianti Classico in 2021 with the aim of highlighting the unique characteristics of each individual area within the denomination. The UGA of Gaiole in Chianti is situated right at the base of the Chianti Mountains, making it the largest and one of the coolest areas within the entire denomination. The vine density is lower compared to other UGAs, and the landscape alternates between vineyards and forests, preserving significant biodiversity and moderating the climate.
The expansiveness of the Gaiole UGA allows for varied expressions depending on the location. The soils vary from galestro to alberese, transitioning to sandstone at higher altitudes. This diversity is reflected in the products of Castello di Meleto, particularly in the Gran Selezione wines sourced from specific, well-suited single vineyards. These characteristics result in wines with great elegance, modernity, and freshness, showcasing hints ranging from floral violet notes to fruity aromas.
