The SOMM Journal

December 2014/January 2015

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Massimo Ferragamo, owner of Castiglion del Bosco. I THINK ALMOST EVERYONE ACROSS THE WORLD is connected to his own homeland, and for me it is the same. I was very lucky to be born in a place as beautiful as Tuscany; it is a place that never leaves your heart. Castiglion del Bosco is the classic landscape of our imagination, a perfect picture. I was utterly captured by this superb piece of land, by its stupendous, isolated site, and its spell - binding woods. The estate is located 1,640 feet (500 meters) above sea level, in the northwest region of Montalcino, where the high altitude and the rocky, nutrient-rich soil are perfect for yielding wines of superb quality and complexity. The entire estate is situated in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Val d'Orcia. Its strategic elevated position was appreciated by the Etruscans as early as 600 B.C., as demonstrated by the archaeological finds made on the estate. The property stands along - side an ancient pilgrimage road of the Via Francigona, and is adjacent to Il Borgo—the histori- cal village overlooked by the Medieval ruins of the 12th-century castle to which the estate owes its name—which houses priceless works of medieval and early-Renaissance art. More recently, in 1967, Castiglion del Bosco was one of the founding members of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, the organization which regulates and controls the quality of the Brunello production. Only Sangiovese grapes are planted on the estate and the entire range of wines produced here are inspired by the great appellations of the territory—from the pleasant Rosso di Montalcino to the great classic Brunello—showcased in three different interpretations. In addition to the regular Brunello di Montalcino, Castiglion del Bosco also produces a sumptu - ous single-vineyard bottling called Campo del Drago, and a magnum-only Brunello Riserva named Millecento, made only in great vintages. Capanna remains the most significant vineyard on the estate, dedicated exclusively to the production of Brunello. Facing southwest, and reaching elevations as high as 1,500 feet (450 meters) above sea level, the vineyard is sub-divided into parcels, beginning with the top of the hill, which is called Campo del Drago, and extending down to the foot of the slope. Along with the Montalcino vineyards, Castiglion del Bosco owns a 25-acre (10-hectare) estate on the Tuscan coast called Prima Pietra in Riparbella, close to the Bolgheri appella - tion. The vines face the Tyrrhenian Sea at 1,500 feet (457 meters) above sea level in a pristine natural environment. Castiglion del Bosco is definitely an important part of my life. Having been personally involved with it for so long—and most of all—seeing a truly historical place come back to life with a real purpose, where winemaking, hospitality and golf all play a role to deliver a wonderful experience. It is very satisfying for me, and an honor to be a part of. MASSIMO FERRAGAMO ON THE SLICE OF PARADISE THAT IS CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO On Ancient Soil { SOMMjournal.com }  57 PHOTOS COURTESY OF CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO

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