Tregole
Castellina in Chianti
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![Tregole Chianti Classico DOCG]()
Tregole Chianti Classico DOCG
Tregole means fresh cherries, wild berries, and a hint of cinnamon in your glass. Juicy and clear on the palate, with bright acidity and a slightly salty finish – really lively and fresh!
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![Tregole Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG]()
Tregole Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
You'll get aromas of dark chocolate, hazelnuts, and juicy cherries on the nose. On the palate, it's fruity with a lovely smoothness and lively tannins – juicy with a long finish.
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![Tregole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG]()
Tregole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
This wine, made from Tregole's oldest vines, offers fruity notes of raspberry, dark cherry, and blood orange, plus a hint of saffron. On the palate, you'll find firm tannins and a mineral finish – powerful and full of character!
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![Tregole Il Chicchero Bianco Toscana IGT]()
Tregole Il Chicchero Bianco Toscana IGT
This white wine, made from Sangiovese grapes, brings fresh aromas of citrus, green apple, and a hint of white blossoms to your glass. On the palate, it's crisp with lively acidity and a delicate minerality – refreshing with a long finish.
Tregole
The charming Fattoria Tregole estate is nestled in a truly romantic spot. It's run by the young, dynamic Sophie Conte, who, along with her mother Edith, is in charge of both wine production and the agriturismo. Even though it's a small winery, it stands for top quality. The six-hectare vineyards are farmed according to strict organic agriculture rules. Most of the vines here are old, which means lower yields but exceptionally good grapes. Tregole's wines are produced in small quantities, but they really stand out with their extraordinary elegance and finesse, making them true treasures of the Chianti Classico region.
Tradition Meets Fresh Air
Tregole has a long and fascinating history, going all the way back to 1003. It's located in the municipality of Castellina in Chianti, in the province of Siena, right at the top of a hill where three other small valleys meet. These valleys gave the place its name, as they bring together three – 'tre' – different valleys – 'gole' – and winds at this very spot – Tregole. Since the 13th century, Tregole was owned by the Palagi family, who built a chapel there in 1580 dedicated to St. Joseph. After centuries of family ownership, the estate changed hands several times in the 1960s before Sophie's family bought it in 1998. Sophie, who now runs the winery with youthful energy and warm hospitality, brings a modern perspective to the estate's rich, traditional history.
Natural Elegance
Tregole's microclimate is super special, shaped by the unique geological and climatic conditions of the area. The vineyards really benefit from the cool freshness brought by the surrounding forests and high altitude. The soils are a mix of Galestro and Macigno, which is a hard, yellow sandstone typical for the region. This soil structure gives the wines a special minerality and finesse. The winds flowing through the three valleys add to the microclimate's complexity, influencing how the vines grow and the quality of the grapes. These conditions create ideal circumstances for producing Chianti Classico wines that are known for their delicate structure, elegance, and expressive character.
At Unusual Heights
Tregole's vineyards are located at altitudes of 500 to 600 meters, which is much higher than what's typical in Chianti. Sophie, who originally worked in marketing, decided to take over wine production herself in 2014. Even though she's a newcomer to winemaking, she quickly established herself as a talented winemaker. Her approach is marked by deep respect for the terroir and a strong connection to the Sangiovese grape, which she's absolutely fallen in love with. Sophie is convinced that large wooden barrels do the Sangiovese wines the most justice, and she's gradually shifting her production to use them more. Her goal is to create wines that not only reflect the uniqueness of the terroir but also let her own passion and dedication shine through.
Solo Sangiovese
The wines produced at Tregole include a Chianti Classico, a Chianti Classico Riserva, and a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, all made exclusively from Sangiovese grapes. Even Sophie's white wine, a Blanc de Noir, is entirely crafted 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. Her special method, based on fermenting whole berries, prevents the tannins from becoming too prominent, which works especially well with the high altitude of her vineyards. Depending on the variety, the wines then age for different lengths of time in wooden barrels. Another cool detail: the bottle labels for Tregole wines feature the distinctive outlines of the estate and the chapel.
Peace and Relaxation
The Tregole estate is an architectural gem that's been carefully restored to keep its historical charm. Besides wine production, the estate also offers stylish accommodations that can host up to 20 guests. The rooms are decorated with lots of love and attention to detail, and they all have private terraces with breathtaking views of the rolling Tuscan hills. Guests can find peace and relaxation right in the middle of the vineyards. The large pool, which offers fantastic views 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 right here with me.