Fattoria Castello del Trebbio is a winery in the Chianti Rufina region, just a 20-minute drive northeast of Florence. You would head out east of Florence to Sieci and then turn north in the direction of Santa Brigida. This is the winery where I worked on the 1999 harvest.

The history of estate is remarkable. The castle was built on the estate in the twelveth century by the Pazzi family. The Pazzi family were one of the leading families of Florence and often rivaled the Medici family who had a strong hold on Florence. Legend has it that the infamous Pazzi conspiracy to kill Giuliano and Lorenzo de’ Medici was planned in the Trebbio castle. Because of the failure of this plot, the Pazzis’ possessions were confiscated and became the property of the Medici family.

In 1968, the Count and Countess Baj-Macario bought Trebbio when it was in a state of abandonment. The Countess Eugenia restored the buildings and planted vineyards. Soon she was marketing her wine. She ran the estate until her death in 1990. It is now run by her daughter Anna Baj-Macario. Her husband, Stefano Casadei is the estate’s winemaker. They’ve employed Luca Dattoma as a consultant.

The estate comprises 350 hectares of land. Seventy hectares are under vines, 21 of which are classified as Chianti Rufina. The winery produces around 350,000 bottles of wine each year. About 60% of annual production is exported, including to the United States. The property also has 10,000 olive trees which is the source for the extra-virgin olive oil that is sold at the winery. The winery also produces and markets saffron. The estate also offers agriturismo accomodations to visitors. Click here to see details.

Trebbio’s three showcase wines are:

1) Castello del Trebbio Chianti DOCG (95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo)

2) Lastricato Castello del Trebbio Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG (100% Sangiovese)

3) Pazzesco IGT (70%, Sangiovese, 24% Merlot, 6% Syrah)

Trebbio also produces several other wines:

Torre de’ Pazzi Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG
Castello del Trebbio Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva DOCG
Castello del Trebbio Vin Santo
Bianco Torre de’ Pazzi
Bianco di Castignano
Bianco della Congiura IGT
Grappa di Chianti Rufina

Click here to see how to get to Castello del Trebbio from Florence.

Address:

Fattoria Castello del Trebbio Sas
Via Santa Brigida, 9
50060 Santa Brigida
Pontassieve (FI)
ITALY
Phone:(+39) 055/8304900
Fax:(+39) 055/8304003
Web site: www.vinoturismo.com
Email: trebbio@tin.it