Few places ooze history like Volpaia. This
perfectly preserved village was built as a
fort to protect Florence from the marauding
Sienese in the 11th century, and while peace
has since reigned and generations have
passed, stepping into the town’s hilltop
castle feels like stepping back in time.
The estate of Castello di Volpaia is situated in the heart of the village.
It is run by Giovannella Stianti and her son Nicolo Mascheroni Stianti,
though it was her father who first saw its potential in the ‘50s. Land
was cheap, at a time when Tuscany’s vinous future was seemingly
bleak. Fortunately, he and now she have proved the others wrong.
The estate is situated at one of the highest points of the Chianti zone.
And this altitude gives the wines freshness, making them some of the
most elegant Chiantis. They’re a fantastic example of where terroir
shapes wines, and in this case, the finesse which comes with it.