Castello di Volpaia

Few places represent history like Volpaia. This perfectly preserved village was built as a fort to protect Florence in the 11th century. The estate of Castello di Volpaia is still situated in the heart of the village, it has one of the highest vineyard sites (450-600m) with 46 hectares on the Southern hillsides leading up to the village. Altitude gives the wines freshness, making them some of the most elegant Chiantis available.

While the estate can be dated back to 1172, in 1250, Volpaia was a founding member of the Lega del Chianti. The Florentine Republic formed the Lega by dividing its communities into three districts – Castellina, Radda, Gaiole – and allotting each a certain amount of territory. Volpaia was included in the league’s Terziere di Radda. The territories were front-line garrison towns for Florence in the Florentine-Sienese wars, and the emblem for the Chianti League was the “Gallo Nero” or “Black Rooster” – the current trademark for Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico. 

Volpaia is committed to organic farming practices in all of its estate vineyards and in the production of its wines. They set upon modernising the cellar and estate while maintaining every inch of history. Just as it has been for the last 900 years, the entire village is intimately involved in the production of wine and olive oil. Volpaia is not only a beautiful village for tourists to admire, but is also a hub of activity where the residents are linked directly or indirectly with the winery. Most of the employees live within the village’s walls, sheltered in houses that the Stianti Mascheroni family has restored for this very purpose. Volpaia is one of the few rural villages whose population has been growing in the last two decades.