Castello di Volpaia
Vineyards
The nearly 46 hectares (114 acres) of vineyards owned by Castello di Volpaia are at 450 to 600 meters (1,300 to 2,130 feet) above sea level, making Volpaia the highest winery in the Chianti region. All the vineyards are on south-facing slopes, just down the hill from the village of Volpaia, and are fully exposed. Given its elevation, Volpaia’s vineyards are well above the spring and autumnal fogs and frosts. During summer, temperatures soar by day and plunge at night and are essential to the ripening process. The slopes are continually graced by gentle breezes, which inhibit the development of morning frosts. All these factors combine to give Volpaia one of Tuscany’s most distinctive microclimates.
According to the Stianti Mascheroni family, the earth at Volpaia is comprised mainly of light soil consisting largely of sandstone, a sedimentary rock from the Pliocene epoch (the period in the geologic timescale that extends from 5.332 million to 1.806 million years before present.) The porosity of the soil provides ample drainage, forcing roots to dig deep to find moisture and nutrients. This light, sandy soil, compared to clay soil, allows the vines to dig deeper given the relative lack of density compared to clay. Counter-intuitively, dry seasons do little harm to the vines due to their far-reaching root systems.
There are 18 different estate vineyards surrounding Volpaia. They are primarily planted to Sangiovese, although there is some Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Trebbiano, Malvasia Bianca del Chianti, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc planted in specific sites suitable to each variety.
In the last 35 years, Volpaia has replanted about 80 percent of its vineyards on the slopes leading up to the village, increasing plant density, selecting different clones of Sangiovese suitable for the different soil, and implementing new training systems and pruning techniques to keenly focus on quality production, to lower the vines and to reduce the yield per hectare.
Volpaia is also committed to organic farming practices in all of its vineyards and complies with all the organic viticulture legislation (European community legislation, reg. CEE 2091/91; EU certification body, Q.C. & I. International Services) for the production of wine. Castello di Volpaia began practicing organic viticulture in the late 1990s and has been certified organic since the 2004 vintage.
All Castello di Volpaia wines are made exclusively from grapes grown in the Stianti Mascheroni family’s vineyards on the hillsides of Volpaia, with the exception of the Borgianni Chianti D.O.C.G. All elevations and exposures are averages, as all vineyards are positioned on slopes. All plantings are high-density (except two older vineyards).
Coltassala (cole-tah-SAWL’-ah)
The Coltassala vineyard shares its name and location with the villa that houses Volpaia’s vinegar-making equipment. This vineyard faces both southwest and southeast, with two parcels spanning up two opposing hillsides that are separated by a seasonal creek. It was grafted over from various clones of Sangiovese to newer Sangiovese clones in 1977 when the vineyard was 10 years old. When grafting the Coltassala, the Stianti Mascheroni family selected the best Sangiovese clones available and increased the vineyard density to 5,698 vines per hectare (2,306 vines per acre). The first harvest was in 1980 when Volpaia made their first Super-Tuscan from 95 percent Sangiovese (and 5 percent Mammolo). Coltassala has been gradually replanted during the last 20 years to increase plant density and preserve an average vine age of 20 to 25 years. Grapes from Coltassala vineyard are used exclusively for the Coltassala bottling (since the 1998 vintage, a D.O.C.G. Chianti Classico Riserva).
Varieties Planted: Sangiovese (primarily) and Mammolo
Size: 3.53 hectares (8.72 acres)
Vine Age: Average of 20-25 years (ongoing plantings since the 1980s)
Soil: SandstoneElevation: 520 meters (1,700 feet)
Exposure: Southwest and southeast
Density: 5,698 vines/hectare(2,306 vines/acre)
Training: Guyot
Balifico (bawl-ee-FEE’-co)
Located just east of Coltassala, the Balifico vineyard also shares its name and location with a villa. The vineyard was grafted over from older Sangiovese clones in 1982 when the existing vineyard was 10 years old. The technical approach for grafting was the same, but Volpaia planted Balifico to 35 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Balifico has been gradually replanted during the last 20 years to increase plant density and preserve an average vine age of 20 to 25 years. The vines are fully exposed to south on light, sub-alkaline (pH 7.8), sandstone soil — ideal conditions for the grapes. Grapes from Balifico vineyard are used exclusively for the Balifico I.G.T. bottling.
Varieties Planted: Sangiovese; Cabernet Sauvignon (in two separate parcels)
Vine Age: Average of 20-25 years (ongoing plantings since the 1980s)
Soil: Sandstone
Sangiovese:
Size: 3.1 hectares (7.66 acres)
Elevation: 470 meters (1,542 feet)
Exposure: South-southwest
Density: 5,435 vines/hectare (2,200 vines/acre)
Training: Guyot
Cabernet Sauvignon:
Size: 1.92 hectares (4.74 acres)
Elevation: 450 meters (1,475 feet)
Exposure: Southwest
Density: 5,698 vines/hectare (2,306 vines/acre)
Training: Cordon spur
Casanuova
The pride of Volpaia is its library of old, local Sangiovese clones re-planted in 2007 in Casanuova vineyard, located south of Balifico near the Casanuova villa. Here, Volpaia grows 23 different clones of Sangiovese that have been collected in the last 30 years during the process of replanting the winery’s vineyards. Volpaia chose to take on this important project in order to preserve the genetic differences of local vines, and to avoid the risk of extinction of ancient clones. To this end, Casanuova is at the heart of Volpaia’s massal selection efforts. (Massal selection involves choosing a number of outstanding vines from the vineyard and then propagating new vines from that budwood; the selection process continues from one generation to the next. The vines then are from the same family, with the same genes, but the individual plants are not identical.) Over the years, Volpaia has sent its plant materials to an organization in France specializing in massal selection who prepares the cuttings and then sends them back to Volpaia for planting in the vineyards. Casanuova is a vast project whose results won’t be seen for at least 10 to 15 years.
Variety Planted: Sangiovese
Size: 0.56 hectare (1.38 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 2007
Soil: Sandstone
Elevation: 480 meters (1,575 feet)
Exposure: South-southeast
Density: 5,435 vines/hectare (2,200 vines/acre)
Training: Guyot
Other Sandstone-Rich Vineyards
Besides Coltassala, Balifico and Casanuova, there are nine other vineyards planted to Sangiovese at Volpaia, all of which play a vital role in the Chianti Classico D.O.C.G. and Chianti Classico Riserva D.O.C.G. bottlings. Because these vineyards possess light, sandstone soil, Volpaia focuses on cultivating Sangiovese here primarily with the guyot training system. (If applicable, other varieties and training systems are specified.) Eight of these vineyards are listed below. The ninth, Santa Caterina, is also planted to Merlot and is listed on the experimental vineyards page.
Campo a Pitti
“Campo a Pitti” means “field of Pitti” in Italian.
Elevation: 510 meters (1,675 feet)Exposure: Southwest
Larger Parcel:
Size: 1.22 hectares (3 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 1972
Density: 2,564 vines/hectare (1,038 vines/acre)
Smaller Parcel:
Size: 0.64 hectare (1.58 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 1988
Density: 5,698 vines/hectare (2,306 vines per acre)
Pratolino
The vineyard takes its name from the villa located near it.
Size: 3.71 hectares (9.17 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 1997
Elevation: 470 meters (1,542 feet)
Exposure: South
Density: 5,006 vines/hectare (2,026 vines/acre)
Casetto
Named after and located near the Casetto rental villa, a charming stone house with one of the loveliest views on the entire estate, just east of Prato vineyard and villa.
Size: 1.26 hectares (3.11 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 2002
Elevation: 500 meters (1,640 feet)
Exposure: Southeast
Density: 5,435 vines/hectare (2,200 vines/acre)
Montanino
Located across a small valley at almost the same elevation as the village of Volpaia, Montanino shares its home and name with an estate property recently turned into a small hotel managed by a Milanese couple who moved to Volpaia to help restore and run the property.
Size: 1.23 hectares (3.04 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 2004
Soil: Sandstone and clay with little rocks (the only red grape vineyard with this soil composure)
Elevation: 550 meters (1,800 feet)
Exposure: East-southeast
Density: 5,435 vines/hectare (2,200 vines/acre)
Santa Caterina Vecchia
Volpaia’s oldest vineyard (“vecchia” means “old” in Italian), named after the shrine of Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), located near the vineyard.
Size: 0.38 hectare (0.94 acre)
Vine Age: Planted 1970
Elevation: 600 meters (1,970 feet)
Exposure: South
Density: 3,077 vines/hectare (1,245 vines/acre)
Training: Capovolto (single-arched cane)
Casavecchia
Named after and located near the Casavecchia rental villa, an ancient house (“casa” means “house” in Italian; “vecchia” means “old” in Italian) with a tower tucked away in one of the quietest and most exclusive parts of the farm.
Size: 3.32 hectares (8.20 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 1973
Elevation: 470 meters (1,542 feet)
Exposure: Southwest
Density: 2,564 vines/hectare (1,038 vines/acre)
Vignavecchia
One of Volpaia’s oldest vineyards (“vigna” means “vineyard” in Italian; “vecchia” means “old” in Italian).
Size: 1.4 hectares (3.46 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 1998
Elevation: 570 meters (1,870 feet)
Exposure: South-southwest
Density: 5,006 vines/hectare (2,026 vines/acre)
Campo a Prato
“Campo a Prato” means “field of Prato” in Italian. The vineyard is located near the Prato villa.
Density: 5,556 vines/hectare (2,248 vines/acre)
Larger Parcel:
Size: 3.35 hectares (8.28 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 2005
Elevation: 550 meters (1,800 feet)
Exposure: South
Smaller Parcel:
Size: 2.4 hectares (5.93 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 2006
Elevation: 500 meters (1,640 feet)
Exposure: Southwest
Clay-Rich Vineyards
There are two vineyard sites at Volpaia which possess clay soil. Sangiovese grapes from these vineyards are also used in the Chianti Classico D.O.C.G. and Chianti Classico Riserva D.O.C.G. bottlings. The Stianti Mascheroni family purchased these two vineyards about 15-20 years ago to enrich their wines with structure and body.
Santa Maria Novella
Located next to the Santa Maria Novella church where Nicolò and Annalisa Mascheroni Stianti were married in 2003, Santa Maria Novella vineyard shares its home with some of Volpaia’s oldest olive trees. Volpaia and its higher-elevation vineyards are visible in the distance.
Variety Planted: Sangiovese
Size: 4.25 hectares (10.5 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 1994
Elevation: 470 meters (1,542 feet)
Exposure: East-southeast
Density: 5,682 vines/hectare (2,300 vines/acre)
Training: Cordon spur
Castellino
This vineyard shares its name and location with the Castellino villa, located south of Casavecchia vineyard. When the winery lost approximately a half-hectare (1.24 acres) during a recent replanting, it was able to add a very small parcel of less than one hectare (pictured above) to Castellino in 2005.
Variety Planted: Sangiovese
Size: 4.64 hectares (11.47 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 2000, 2005
Elevation: 400 meters (1,312 feet)
Exposure: South
Density: 5,006 vines/hectare (2,026 vines/acre)
Training: Guyot
Experimental Vineyards
Castello di Volpaia has three field experiment sites for growing Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir. All of these vineyards are located west of the picturesque, cypress-tree-lined road leading up to the village of Volpaia. The Syrah and Merlot vineyards are 15-20 years old and fully expressing themselves; Volpaia uses these grapes in the Chianti Classico. The winery is considering making new wines from the Pinot Noir in the future.
Campo alla Fonte
This vineyard is one of the highest-elevation vineyards in Volpaia, as is it located toward the top of the hillside just south-southeast of the village walls.
Variety Planted: Syrah
Size: 1.2 hectares (2.97 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 1991
Soil: Sandstone and clay with little rocks
Elevation: 570 meters (1,870 feet)
Exposure: South-southwest
Density: 5,698 vines/hectare (2,306 vines/acre)
Training: Guyot
Docciola (doe-SHOW’-lah)
Variety Planted: Pinot Noir
Size: 1.45 hectares (3.58 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 1986
Soil: Sandstone and clay with little rocks
Elevation: 540 meters (1,770 feet)
Exposure: Southwest
Density: 5,698 vines/hectare (2,306 vines/acre)
Training: Guyot
Santa Caterina
Named after the shrine of Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), located near the vineyard.
Varieties Planted: Sangiovese and Merlot
Vine Age: Planted 1998
Soil: Sandstone
Elevation: 570 meters (1,870 feet)
Training: Guyot
Sangiovese:
Size: 3.04 hectares (7.51 acres)
Exposure: South-southwest
Density: 5,006 vines/hectare (2,206 vines/acre)
Merlot:
Size: 1.67 hectares (4.13 acres)
Exposure: Southeast
Density: 5,435 vines/hectare (2,200 vines/acre)
Bianco-Focused Vineyards
At the highest vineyards on the property just north-northwest of the village, Volpaia grows its white wine varieties.
Torniello
Torniello is the mother of the Bianco di Volpaia (not imported to the U.S. market).
Varieties Planted: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc (equal parts of both)
Size: 1.25 hectares (3.09 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 1984
Soil: Sandstone and clay with very tiny rocks
Elevation: 650 meters (2,130 feet)
Exposure: West-southwest
Density: 5,698 vines/hectare (2,306 vines/acre)
Training: Guyot
Casalino
Casalino vineyard is where Castello di Volpaia grows grapes for the production of its Vinsanto. The soil is mainly composed of a mixture of clay and sandstone with very tiny rocks. The high altitude and greater temperature change between night and day are the perfect conditions to extract a great variety of perfumes of the white grapes.
Varieties Planted: Trebbiano and Malvasia Bianca del Chianti
Size: 0.62 hectare (1.53 acres)
Vine Age: Planted 1988
Soil: Sandstone and clay with very tiny rocks
Elevation: 650 meters (2,130 feet)
Exposure: South
Density: 5,698 vines/hectare (2,306 vines/acre)
Training: Guyot
