ABOUT US



In Monterinaldi, it’s the mountain slopes that sustain life, 

not the peaks. 

the estate

The settlement of the Castello di Monterinaldi is located in the heart of the oldest area of Chianti Classico, between Panzano and Radda in Chianti, on a hill that, from above, resembles a turtle’s shell. According to history, the origins of this ancient place (1010 AD) are tied to “Count Gottifredo, of Lombard descent and lord of Monte Rinaldi,” who gave the location its name and laid the foundations of the Castello di Monterinaldi. Over the course of a thousand years, the castle has withstood numerous battles, from the Battle of Montaperti (1260 AD) to World War II, losing some structures and surrounding dwellings along the way. Yet today, the Castello di Monterinaldi still stands majestically at the center of the estate of the same name, whose winemaking operations are based at La Pesanella, a beautiful villa at the foot of the hill.

The legacy

We are a family-run farm that has been cultivating our own vineyards and producing wine since our beginnings in 1961. The Monterinaldi hillside consists of 17 individual vineyards spanning a total of 50 hectares. The grape varieties we grow include different clones of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino, Malvasia Nera, Malvasia Bianca, Trebbiano, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, with a density of 5,000 vines per hectare. Castello Monterinaldi proudly and steadfastly champions Chianti Classico, the renowned wine that has brought prestige to Radda in Chianti and the surrounding region.

THE COMMITMENT

Castello Monterinaldi has always been a company particularly attentive to environmental issues, striving over the years to keep the use of pesticides and herbicides very low, and in many seasons, nearly nonexistent. After an initial four-year experiment — carried out only in certain parts of the vineyard and yielding excellent results — the transition to organic farming was extended to the entire estate. Castello Monterinaldi has been certified organic since 2017.

The Cellar

Respect for tradition is a fundamental element at Castello Monterinaldi. The processing of the grapes, as well as the storage and aging of the wines, all take place within our cellar. Fermentation occurs in steel or vitrified concrete tanks, the latter of which is also used for aging, along with French oak barrels.

The Wine

Our main goal remains to deliver Chianti Classico in its most traditional form. However, this doesn’t mean we shy away from using modern technologies and equipment that enhance quality without compromising the classic characteristics of the wine.

Chianti Classico is first aged in barrels and then refined in the bottle, with aging periods ranging from 6 to over 30 months.

 

Our symbol is a turtle because we consider ourselves the slow wine of Chianti Classico. We feel at home in our shell, taking things slow so we don’t lose sight of where we are going and why. No rushing, we move forward steadily and without pause. In the meantime, we grow and mature, just like our wine.