Rocca di Montegrossi
di Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi
Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi
The Rocca di Montegrossi winery is located in one of the most beautiful and probably most famous areas of Tuscany, in the oldest wine region of Italy – Chianti Classico. And more precisely about 7 kilometers south of Gaiole, near the village of Monti in Chianti. The owner of the property is Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi, a direct descendant of the famous Tuscan Ricasoli family. This family is inseparably linked to the history of the region and of Chianti Classico - after all, Bettino Ricasoli is considered to be the inventor of Chianti. On this historic site in Monti in Chianti, not far from the Castello di Brolio, the passionate winemaker manages the estate with great care for the balance between quality and tradition.
Rocca di Montegrossi
Rocca di Montegrossi has a total of 100 hectares of land, 20 hectares of which are vineyards and 20 hectares are planted with olive groves. The rest are forests. The soil here in the historic heart of Chianti Classico is characterised with stone and limestone. The cultivated areas, all of them in a gently hilly south-southeast sites, are between 340 and 510 meters above sea level.
Chianti Classico
On an area of 13 hectares, Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi mainly cultivates the leading variety of Chianti Classico – the Sangiovese. But other autochthonous varieties like Canaiolo, Colorino, Pugnitello and Malvasia Bianca di Toscana, as well as the international grape varieties Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon can be found here. And just in the middle is situated the wine cellar, next to the Romanesque church of San Marcellino.
Certified organic
The care and preservation of the Chianti cultural landscape and sustainability are of great importance for the owner of Rocca di Montegrossi - Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi. Agriculture has been managed according to organic standards for several years now and has been officially certified as organic since 2010. In addition, further measures are taken to protect nature and conserve resources. For example, the rainwater is collected in large cisterns and is used for the cleaning work in the cellar. Solar panels on the roof of the cellar provide the energy for the maintain of the temperature into it.
Geremia
Geremia, the founder of the Ricasoli family, once inhabited the rock castle called Rocca di Montegrossi. But there is only one ruin left. Today the Castello di Brolio in Gaiole in Chianti is the seat of the Ricasoli family. The super tuscan wine from Rocca di Montegrossi still recalls Geremia with its name.
San Marcellino
The Romanesque parish church of San Marcellino built in the year 1,000 A.D., is located directly next to today's winery. Its name is also used for the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from the winery: the parcel for the Gran Selezione, called Vigneto San Marcellino, with more than 45 years old Sangiovese and Pugnitello vines, is located directly next to this former pilgrim site.
