THE ESTATE AND ITS HISTORY
A TRADITION THAT SPANS A THOUSAND YEARS
THE FAMILY
The Castello di Cacchiano is owned by Giovanni Ricasoli-Firidolfi, a descendent of the family who made history in the territory of Chianti and in the appellation of Chianti Classico. Il Castello sorge da più di un millennio nell’omonima località nel comune di Gaiole in Chianti, in provincia di Siena, nel cuore della zona di produzione del vino Chianti Classico. The castle has been part of the landscape for over a millennium in the town of Gaiole in Chianti in the province of Siena, right in the heart of Chianti Classico’s wine producing region.
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The territory surrounding Castello di Cacchiano has always been an area renowned for producing fine wines but has also been central in making important decisions for the entire region, together with the family that owns the estate. Luigi Ricasoli-Firidolfi, Giovanni’s grandfather, in 1924 was one of the founding members of the Consortium of Producers now called the Consorzio del Vino Chianti Classico.
THE HISTORY OF CACCHIANO AND THE FAMILY
THE CASTLE
In the small village of Cacchiano in the 10th century, the noble Ricasoli family decided to build a manor house on the remains of an earlier Roman settlement, numerous excavations in the surrounding area have unearthed a rich collection of Roman-era artifacts. The military complex became a structure of particular strategic strategic importance in the border area between the Florentine territory, where they were located, and the Sienese one.
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In 1452, the manor withstood a siege by Aragonese troops, but a few years later, in 1478, it was seriously damaged after another tragic battle. The castle continued defending the territory up until the end of the 1500s and was then decommissioned when the war between Florence and Siena ended. The Castello di Cacchiano underwent significant structural changes and became a country villa and farm that centered on agriculture, farming, and viticulture.
“In 1983, when I began my personal adventure into the world of wine, I knew that in whatever I could accomplish, I would never be able to ignore my history and background. And with the word history, I also recall many other stories other than my own, that of my family, of my land and of the territory that produces Chianti Classico.”
– Giovanni Ricasoli Firidolfi
EXCELLENCE IN WINE MAKING
CHIANTI CLASSICO
The territory surrounding Castello di Cacchiano has always been renowned for producing great wines.
“The wines have remarkable typicity closely related to the area in which they were produced, to the unique characteristics of each individual vintage and are respectful of my family’s traditions and the traditions of our land.”
– Giovanni Ricasoli-Firidolfi
