Castello Vicchiomaggio

Castello Vicchiomaggio
Tuscany, Italy
Castello Vicchiomagio, Tuscany
Ancient castles, Tuscan landscapes, Florentine
history, and award-winning Chianti Classico wines…
a heady mix indeed.
This is Vicchiomaggio.
Our brochure attempts to illustrate some of the
more interesting features, which in isolation struggle
to describe a truly magical destination.
We really hope you enjoy this apéritif and that you
will soon be tempted to experience the real thing.
John Matta – Castello Vicchiomaggio
IWSC Italian Winemaker of the year 1997, 2002, 2005, 2010
The History
According to a well preserved document dated 956, the
Castle was known as Vicchio dei Longobardi (village of the
Longobards) in Medieval times. It was rebuilt as it stands
today between 1560 and 1580 (Renaissance) by the Gondi
dynasty, then amongst the most powerful families of Firenze,
(Florence). Strategically positioned atop a hill dominating the
whole of the Greve Valley, it has seen considerable action over
the centuries and in fact during the Middle Ages the Castle
was crucial for the defence of Firenze during its feuds with the
City of Siena, located 38 kms to the South.
During its long history Castello Vicchiomaggio has hosted
numerous luminairies, particularly from the art world,
most notably Leonardo da Vinci who it seems visited
Vicchiomaggio during his noted sojourn in the Greve area
while he was painting The Mona Lisa. Francesco Redi,
the noted Florentine physician and poet, was also a frequent
visitor in the late 1600s.
The Castello
Constructed around a central courtyard and dominated
by its classic tower, the Castle has magnificent views
over the Greve valley. It features its own Chapel,
a Church, three large ballrooms seating up to 250,
a state-of-the-art professional kitchen, 12 en suite
bedrooms and a breathtaking infinity pool.
The Estate and Landholdings
The Vicchiomaggio Estate totals 145 hectares with about
30 of vines, and the balance being made up of olive
groves, pasture and forest. A unique (for the area) private
game reserve allows hunting of wild boar and other game.
The restored Castello complex comprises some 2,000
square metres of accommodation including bedrooms,
halls and dining rooms, and additional buildings
associated with the viniculture are situated adjacent to
the Castello. Within the Estate boundaries are located
a number of stone buildings, many of which present
interesting development opportunities.
In total, the built area amounts to some
6,700 square metres.
In addition to the Vicchiomaggio Estate, there is a
13 hectare vineyard and substantial manager’s house
known as Vallemaggiore situated near Grosseto
on the Tuscan coast.
Fine Dining
Within its halls which are typical of the Renaissance
period, is Vicchiomaggio Restaurant, an ideal meeting
place to taste genuine food from the farm, prepared
according to antique recipes that have been deliciously
updated by our chefs.
In an extremely friendly and welcoming environment,
rich in charm and history, our qualified personnel will
take good care of you, providing excellent and attentive
service yet never interfering with your personal sphere.
Wine making for a Millennia!
Vines have been grown on and around Vicchiomaggio since the
Etruscans so when the Matta family acquired the estate in the
early 1960s it was not long before quality wine was produced to
the present exacting and prize-winning standards.
Some 30 hectares of Vicchiomaggio are dedicated to
viticulture, the predominant variety being the Sangiovese
grape, which characterises the Chianti Classico area.
John Matta has combined the traditional and modern
methods of production superbly, and his winery includes
a state-of-the-art bottling and labelling plant, as well as
seasoned oak barrelling. Annual production currently stands
at some 400,000 bottles.
Coastal Breezes, Fine Terroire
In addition to Vicchiomaggio, the Matta family
purchased Villa Vallemaggiore in 2001. Located in the
Maremma area of Southern Tuscany in full view of the sea
(7 km), Vallemaggiore is one of the very few estates that
can legitimately claim to be truly coastal. Thanks to its
most privileged position near the sea, the microclimate
that prevails at Vallemaggiore is very different to the
rest of Maremma.
Constant sea breezes maintain the soil in a dry state, keep
the foliage of the vines in perfect condition and ensure the
whole area is well aired, even during the hottest summer days.
The soil at Vallemaggiore is sandy with a good quantity
of clay and basically stone free, important details that
contribute to the unique style and flavours of the wines.
The estate grows mainly Sangiovese which is particularly
suited to the soil and microclimate of Vallemaggiore,
together with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.
Award Winners
John Matta’s flair for viniculture has generated
international recognition and prestigious awards notably
being the recipient of The International Wine & Spirit
Competition ‘Italian Wine Maker of the Year’ awards in
1997, 2002, 2005 and 2010.
These accolades not only reflect John’s genius in
the field but also the characteristics of the land at
Vicchiomaggio, which is admirably suited to the
production of top quality Chianti Classico wines.
FSM 2007
“The best FSM ever.
“There’s lovely meat, “Aromas of ripe
A wine not only
blueberries,
ripe fruit and spice
capable of expressing
blackberries and
character to this
all its varietal
chocolate pie. Full
wine, with tannins
character but with
body with soft and
that are soft and
intriguing aromas
integrated. Delicious round tannins, lots
of vanilla, toasted oak and long lasting
and ready.”
and berry character.” flavours on the
92 Points. Wine Spectator
palate.”
93 Points. James Suckling
Vini d’Italia 2012,
Gambero Rosso.
“Wine is pure sunshine,
held together by water.”
Galileo
John Matta
IWSC Italian Wine Maker of the Year
1997, 2002, 2005 & 2010
Location
Castello Vicchiomagio is located on a hilltop
within Tuscany’s historical heartland, some
18 kilometres south of Florence, the region’s
capital which is celebrated throughout Italy and
the wider world for its heritage buildings and
iconic bridges.
The small town of Greve, which is the centre
of the Chianti Classico district, is 3 kilometres
away from Castello Vicchiomaggio and boasts
a 16th century piazza together with being
populated with numerous quality Italian
restaurants and bars.
The nearest airports are Florence - 30 minutes
by car - and Pisa, which is an hour’s drive away.
Milano
Genova
Venezia
Bologna
Pisa
Firenze
Vicchiomaggio
Siena
Vallemaggiore
Roma
Napoli