Castello di Verrazzano

Castello di Verrazzano is situated between Florence and Siena, close to the medieval town of Greve in Chianti. Initially an Etruscan and later a Roman settlement, its boundaries have remained virtually unchanged for the last 1,000 years, as the Castle was historically a stable outpost in a land marked by centuries of family and political strife. At the centre of the estate, with its abundant woodland and vineyards, stands a late Romanesque tower. The stunning Renaissance gardens enjoy a unique panoramic view over the Val di Greve Valley.

The history of Castello di Verrazzano
In the 7th century, the Castle became the property of the Verrazzano family, and it was here that Giovanni da Verrazzano, the explorer who discovered the bay of present-day New York and most of the East Coast of the United States, was born in 1485. New York is home to the famous “Verrazzano- Narrows Bridge”, built in 1964 and named after him, which spans between Brooklyn and Staten Island. The prominent Marchesi Ridolfi family from Florence succeeded the Verrazzano family after the death of the last descendant in 1819.

In the 1920s, the Florence Stadium was built thanks to the support given by Luigi Ridolfi, and in 1926, Fiorentina, the city of Florence’s football team, was founded. As the President of the Athletics Association, Ridolfi made it possible for the Italian team to train at Verrazzano for the 1936 Olympic Games. In 1958, Cavalier Luigi Cappellini took over the estate, which was already in decline, and began a long and painstaking restoration project. He successfully restored the Castello del Mille’s pure forms to their original splendour, respecting the historical and architectural characteristics. He also reconstructed the agricultural landscape according to the ancient model, replanting vineyards and restoring the main villa to its former glory.

The wine cellar
The Castle’s ancient cellars date back to the 16th century. The ageing process takes place in Slavonian oak barrels placed along the winery’s corridors, where they are protected from temperature fluctuations. Oak barrels with a 30-hl capacity that have been aged for 3 years are used for the ageing of Chianti and Chianti Classico Riserva wines. New Allier and Vosges barriques are used for the ageing of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sassello and the Supertuscan Bottiglia Particolare.

When visiting the cellar, enveloped in the aromas of these precious oak barrels, one penetrates into the very heart of the Castle, where selections of the best vintages from 1924 are preserved. The estate, which has remained unchanged for over 1,000 years, covers 230 hectares, 52 of them devoted to the cultivation of vineyards. Altitude ranges from 260 to 420 metres above sea level, with a stony soil rich in limestone.

Staying in the Chianti region
It is possible to stay at the recently renovated “Foresteria Casanova,” which is completely immersed in the vineyards of the Castle. Two independent apartments and seven double rooms are available, with the possibility of putting an additional bed in some of the rooms. The rooms are all furnished in typical Tuscan rustic style and have their own bathroom with shower, TV and free Wi-Fi access.

Farmhouse “hosteria”
You can also eat at the Castello di Verrazzano farmhouse “hosteria”, which offers dishes made with ingredients produced on the estate or from Tuscany, certified as DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) or IGP (Protected Geographical Indication), and choosing organic ingredients wherever possible. The simple and flavourful menù changes according to the seasons.