Why it matters
The producer
At Pontedera near Pisa, Famiglia Castellani is a family wine business with a range that includes Chianti Classico Riserva, Toscana IGT Vermentino, Toscana Rosso IGT and the Guadalmare collection. Piergiorgio Castellani manages the business, with Sabino Russo as oenologist.
The labels carry Chianti Classico, Toscana IGT, Morellino di Scansano DOCG and Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC names. Guadalmare is the contemporary coastal collection focused on the Tuscan coast and Maremma.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Campomaggio's Radda conditions include relatively low average temperatures and large summer swings, which slow grape ripening. Guadalmare turns the range toward the Tuscan coast and Maremma, carrying Toscana IGT Vermentino, Morellino di Scansano DOCG and Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC. Each wine in Guadalmare carries its own appellation name.
Tenuta di Montefoscoli sits on the hills of Palaia in the heart of the Pisan Hills, with 45 hectares dedicated to organic farming. Poggio al Casone has 40 hectares of organically cultivated vineyards and participates in research projects aimed at preserving and integrating ecological balance.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
Campomaggio has 32 hectares of vines between 280 and 480 metres above sea level, on the hills adjacent to the ancient village of Campomaggio. Tenuta di Burchino extends across about 37 hectares of vineyards in Terricciola and has belonged to the Castellani family for five generations.
The Vermentino is fermented at low temperature in stainless steel and receives no subsequent ageing to retain its floral notes. Toscana Rosso ferments in stainless steel at a controlled temperature for about two weeks and then undergoes malolactic fermentation for softer tones.
Wines to know
The range in view
Chianti Classico Riserva is the named Chianti Classico bottle. Toscana IGT Vermentino is the Vermentino wine, and Toscana Rosso IGT is a Toscana red. The contemporary Guadalmare collection groups Toscana IGT Vermentino, Morellino di Scansano DOCG and Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC, with its focus on the Tuscan coast and Maremma.
Famiglia Castellani's Vermentino smells of jasmine and peach blossom. On the palate it is savory and mineral, fresh and pungent, with good acidity.