Podere Il Castellaccio Valénte

The Sangiovese, Fonglia Tonda and Pugnitello are three native varieties typical of the municipality of Bolgheri (in the province of Livorno, Tuscany), which have now almost disappeared from the Italian wine scene. If vineyards planted with these grapes can still be found today, it is thanks to producers like the Podere Il Castellacio Agricultural Company, a winery where wines are still being made with these varieties.

This company, which has its roots in 1960 in Castagneto Carducci, is leading the way in restoring and increasing the 15 hectares of land (between vineyards, olive groves and woods) with new plantations. This land is currently managed by Alessandro Scappini, the current owner and latest generation of the family to run the business. Although he studied agriculture, but never put it into practice, Alessandro let his passion guide him, choosing the more difficult path of recovering the vines planted by his grandfather. This means that, should he succeed, we would be talking about vineyards that are more than 50 years old. This is indeed the case, and from these old vines come authentic and high quality wines that are unique and inimitable, like Podere Il Castellaccio Valénte.

Podere Il Castellaccio Valénte is the second wine created by Alessandro, and it starts life at an altitude of 160 metres above sea level on schist soils and under a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and long summers. Facing north to south, this favours the influence of the sun thanks to the high number of daylight hours. Each variety will ripen in its own time and for this reason each vine will be harvested and vinified separately. Fermentation takes place with native yeasts in Slovenian oak barrels, with a subsequent maceration where the wine will be in contact with the skins for two weeks. This operation will help the wine to develop the necessary body and substances to face the 12 months of aging that Podere Il Castellaccio Valénte will undergo in wooden barrels and the other 12 months it will spend in the bottle before being released for sale.

Podere Il Castellaccio Valénte is made within the I.G.P. Toscana. On its label you will also see a wine stain, where it has been poured and has left a mark. This image serves as a warning from the Podere Il Castellacio Agricultural Company. Take just a sip of Podere Il Castellaccio Valénte and you will be marked forever.