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Tregole
Castellina in Chianti
Tregole
Fattoria Tregole is a charming country estate in a very romantic location. It is run by the young, dynamic Sophie Conte, who, together with her mother Edith, is responsible for both the wine production and the agriturismo. Despite the small size of the winery, it stands for the highest quality. The six hectares of vineyards are cultivated according to the strict rules of organic farming. The vines here are predominantly old, which results in low yields but exceptionally good grapes. The wines from Tregole are produced in small quantities, but are characterized by an extraordinary elegance and finesse that make them real treasures of the Chianti Classico region.
Tradition meets a breath of fresh air
Tregole has a long and fascinating history dating back to 1003. It is located in the municipality of Castellina in Chianti, in the province of Siena, at the top of a hill to which three other small valleys lead. These gorges gave the village its name, as they bring together three - tre - different valleys - gole - and winds at this point - Tregole. From the 13th century, Tregole was owned by the Palagi family, who built a chapel dedicated to St. Joseph there in 1580. After centuries of family ownership, the estate changed hands several times in the 1960s before being acquired by Sophie's family in 1998. Sophie, who now runs the estate with youthful freshness and warm hospitality, brings a modern perspective to the traditional history of the estate.
Natural elegance
The microclimate of Tregole is very special and is characterized by the special geological and climatic conditions of the place. The vineyards benefit from the cool freshness brought by the surrounding forests and the high altitude. The soils consist of a mixture of Galestro and Macigno, a hard, yellow sandstone that is typical of the region. This soil structure gives the wines a special minerality and finesse. The winds that flow through the three valleys contribute to the complexity of the microclimate and influence the growth of the vines and the quality of the grapes. These conditions create ideal conditions for the production of Chianti Classico, which are characterized by their fine structure, elegance and expressiveness.
At unusual heights
Tregole's vineyards are located at altitudes of 500 to 600 meters, which is significantly higher than is usual in Chianti. Sophie, who originally worked in marketing, decided to take over the wine production herself in 2014. Although she is a career changer, she has quickly established herself as a talented winemaker. Her approach is characterized by a deep respect for the terroir and a strong bond with the Sangiovese grape, which she has fallen in love with. Sophie is convinced that large wooden barrels are best suited to Sangiovese wines and is gradually converting her production to them. Her aim is to create wines that not only reflect the uniqueness of the terroir, but also make her own passion and dedication tangible.
Solo Sangiovese
The wines produced at Tregole include a Chianti Classico, a Chianti Classico Riserva and a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, all of which are made exclusively from Sangiovese grapes. Sophie's white wine, a Blanc de Noir, is also made entirely from Sangiovese grapes. The entire harvest is fermented in cement tanks to preserve the natural aromas of the grapes and give the wines an elegant structure. Their special method, based on whole berry fermentation, prevents the tannins from becoming too prominent, which is particularly suited to the altitude of their vineyards. Depending on the variety, the wines are then matured in wooden barrels for different lengths of time. Another remarkable detail: the bottle labels of the Tregole wines show the distinctive outline of the winery and the chapel.
Rest and relaxation
The Tregole estate is an architectural gem that has been carefully restored to preserve its historic charm. In addition to wine production, the estate also offers stylish accommodation that can accommodate up to 20 guests. The rooms are furnished with great attention to detail and have private terraces offering breathtaking views of the rolling Tuscan hills. Guests can find peace and relaxation amidst the vineyards. The large pool, which offers a fantastic view of the surrounding valleys, completes the experience.
For today's podcast episode, I'm visiting the Fattoria e Villa di Rignana winery in Panzano in Chianti and Cosimo Gericke, the owner, is sitting by my side.