Podcast 016 | Casaloste Celebrates 30 Years - How a Vision Became a Lifelong Dream
Maria Giovanna d’Orsi from the Casaloste winery in Panzano in Chianti
Today, we're celebrating with the Casaloste winery in Panzano in Chianti. Casaloste is a family winery that Giovanni d'Orsi and his wife Emilia have been running for 30 years. This episode dives into the fascinating story of this winery, which we'll explore with Giovanni, Emilia, and their daughter Maria Giovanna. Maria Giovanna, who lived in London for a while and is now back working at the family winery, helps us tell their tale.
Love at first sight
Giovanni and Emilia fell in love with Tuscany when they moved here from Naples 30 years ago. The abandoned house and its vineyards immediately brought Giovanni's vision to life, which he now pursues with dedication. The first harvest happened in 1993, and since then, Casaloste has been producing top-notch Chianti Classico wines every year.
Casaloste covers about 19 hectares of land, with roughly 10 hectares of vineyards and two hectares of olive groves. The main grape variety is Sangiovese, complemented by Merlot and other local red grapes. The winery produces various wines, including Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, and Chianti Classico Gran Selezione.
The Organic Pioneer in Panzano
What's really impressive is Casaloste's organic and sustainable farming. Giovanni was a pioneer of organic cultivation in the region and has been using eco-friendly methods right from the start. Since 2010, the winery has been using photovoltaic modules to be energy self-sufficient in the summer.
Another highlight of this episode is checking out Casaloste's unique labels, which reflect their connection to their hometown of Naples and their family history. Each label tells its own story, whether it's the family home, the volcanic Vesuvius, or a tribute to grandfather Vincenzo.
Maria Giovanna, who came back to the family winery after several years in London, brings a breath of fresh air and new perspectives. Her return marks the start of a new chapter for Casaloste, which continues to stand out with excellent wines and sustainable practices.
To celebrate Casaloste's 30th anniversary, the family is planning lots of events, including vertical tastings to show how their wines have evolved over the years. Stay tuned and celebrate this special story with us!
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