Castello di Bolgheri

The origins of Bolgheri Castle date back to 1200. Since then, it has been the property of the Counts of Gherardesca family. In the second half of the 1700s, restoration work and improvements were made to the building, and the cellars were built. In 1895, the castle's facade was modified, with the construction of the tower and merlons as we still see them today.The farm extends around the Castle for an area of 130 hectares, 50 of which are covered by vineyards; the rest is made up of areas cultivated with 6,000 olive plants, sown grounds and woods.Starting in 1997, the vineyards were planted with the principal varieties called for in the specifications for Bolgheri wines with the DOC (certificate of controlled origin) certification: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. Bolgheri Castle's vineyards are found on the outskirts of the village of the same name, facing southwest, and the rows, which are perpendicular to the sea, benefit from the afternoon wind during the hot summer days. The soil is predominantly sandy-clayey, and rich in sub-alkaline rock fragments. The average altitude is 70 meters above sea level.The entire farm is within the Bolgheri DOC area in the municipality of Castagneto Carducci. In the most interesting vineyards, there is a good presence of rock in the land, and a pH which is for the most part basic. These characteristics, together with a calcareous character, represent the matrix of these wines. This type of soil produces wines with subtle and soft tannins, well-integrated low acidity and a marked aromatic depth.