Ricasoli 1141
Tuscany, Italy
Located amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Chianti Classico region lies Ricasoli, the most representative wine producer in the area. With its gentle hills, velvety valleys, and thick woodlands adorned with oaks and chestnuts, the sprawling 1,200-hectare property encompasses nearly 240 hectares of vineyards and 26 hectares of olive groves. This breathtaking landscape forms a harmonious symphony of colors and hues, centered around the magnificent Brolio Castle, situated within the town limits of Gaiole in Chianti.
Since 1993, Baron Francesco Ricasoli has been at the helm of this central Tuscan company, leading it through innovative challenges while upholding the revered legacy of his renowned ancestors, particularly Bettino Ricasoli. Guided by a deep respect for the past, Francesco Ricasoli has infused the company with fresh ideas and concepts, focusing on sustainable vineyard practices. His unwavering dedication to the study of soil types and clonal selection of the Brolio Sangiovese has resulted in the complete renovation and meticulous mapping of the vineyards.
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For centuries, generations of Ricasoli nobles have shaped history from the backdrop of Brolio Castle, defending Florence and playing pivotal roles in battles against Siena until the unification of Italy. One of the most prominent figures in the family’s history, Baron Bettino Ricasoli, known as the Iron Baron, served as Prime Minister of the newly united Italy twice after the era of Cavour. Since 1141, the Ricasoli family has been intrinsically linked to wine, with historical evidence indicating their possession of Brolio Castle during that time. Recognizing the immense potential of the Brolio territory, the family became pioneers in the improvement of agriculture and vineyards. In fact, a print from 1584 depicting the family tree is one of the earliest visual representations of the Chianti area.
Fascinating records from the late 1600s highlight the family’s first exports to Amsterdam and England. By the early 1900s, the wines from Brolio had gained widespread recognition and appreciation, being sought-after and exported to various corners of the globe, including China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Guatemala, and the former British colonies in Africa. Baron Bettino Ricasoli himself, an illustrious politician and visionary wine entrepreneur, crafted the formula for Chianti wine, now known as Chianti Classico, in 1872.
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Continuous improvement lies at the heart of Ricasoli’s philosophy. In line with this vision, the company has chosen the Equalitas Certification standard, which emphasizes not only environmental sustainability but also ethical, social, and economic aspects that are equally significant. The cellars of Barone Ricasoli, located at the foot of Brolio Castle, have been carefully restored, combining the aesthetics of the original nineteenth-century rooms with modern and technologically advanced spaces exclusively dedicated to winemaking.
Every vineyard plot is harvested separately, and the grapes are transported to the vat room in containers with a maximum capacity of 200 kg. Vinification takes place in small steel vats, enabling precise control of the fermentation process while maintaining the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard plot. Through experimentation and an in-depth understanding of the land, Ricasoli has gone a step further by vinifying even within the same plot, based on morphological similarities of the subsoil.
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Renowned for its exceptional Sangiovese-based wines, Ricasoli boasts four exceptional Chianti Classico wines: the iconic Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione, Ricasoli’s hallmark wine, Brolio Chianti Classico, and Brolio Riserva, the flagship wines. Additionally, there’s Brolio Bettino, paying homage to Chianti’s timeless qualities with a contemporary twist. Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione is the company’s prized creation, a pure Sangiovese meticulously sourced from Brolio’s three representative soils. The other three Gran Selezione offerings are single vineyard Sangiovese wines aged for 22 months in 500-litre tonneaux. Notable additions include the revered Casalferro, an all-Merlot crafted from the finest vineyards, and the non-traditionally vinified Castello di Brolio Sanbarnaba Vin Bianco, made from ancient Trebbiano grapes. Completing the range are the elegant and enduring Torricella cru Chardonnay, the delightful Albia Bianco and Albia Rosé, along with the specialties Vinsanto del Chianti Classico and single cultivar extra virgin olive oil.
Ricasoli stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Ricasoli family, whose commitment to excellence has propelled them to the forefront of Chianti Classico wine production. With their unwavering dedication to the environment, quality, and continuous improvement, Ricasoli wines represent the harmonious union of tradition and innovation, carrying forward a rich heritage for future generations to savor and celebrate.
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Video: Ricasoli Viticultori in Chianti Classico
Ricasoli's Wines
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