Castello dei Rampolla

Overview

The estate S. Lucia in Faulle, production site of the Castello dei Rampolla wines, is located in the southern valley of Chianti Classico known as the “Conca d’Oro,” the Golden Basin. Though the estate has been in the di Napoli Rampolla family since 1739, it was Alceo di Napoli who planted the first vineyards in 1965, producing the first vintage in 1970. Brother and sister team Maurizia and Luca now run the business, their humble enthusiasm and dedication producing what are considered some of the most fascinating wines in the Chianti.

Castello dei Rampolla is considered a pioneer of biodynamic farming practices in Chianti, beginning the first experiments in 1994 when most wineries in the area were still unfamiliar with organic, let alone biodynamic, agriculture. Every operation in the vineyard and the cellar is carried out according to lunar phases and the biodynamic calendar, and chemical fertilizers and pesticides are banned in favor of organic, biodynamic preparations. Instead of using herbicides, weeds are left to grow between the vines, forcing the roots to dig deeper into the soil to find nutrition, adding complexity and character to the grapes and resulting wines.

The cellar is in constant evolution, and winemaker Luca di Napoli Rampolla is always experimenting to find the best way to extract the “essence of the territory” from the grapes. After a careful manual harvest, the grapes undergo a second selection before beginning fermentation, carried out in enameled tin or cement tanks or amphora jars. Only indigenous yeasts are used and no sulfur is added. Ageing takes place in casks and French oak barriques.

Castello dei Rampolla grows both international and traditional Tuscan grape varieties from which it produces three red wines, Chianti Classico, d’Alceo, and Sammarco, and one white wine, Trebianchi.

“Castello dei Rampolla is one of the benchmark properties in Tuscany, and for good reason. At their finest, these are some of the most elegant, luscious wines readers will come across.” — Antonio Galloni of The Wine Advocate

Check out James Suckling’s take on Castello Dei Rampolla’s vineyards: http://bit.ly/yPsFVK

“We do what we do, because we love doing it…” — Maurizia di Napoli Rampolla

Luca and Maurizia di Napoli Rampolla