Volpaia Castle

Castello di Volpaia is a small fortified village in Tuscany where live 52 people.

The Castle was probably built in the 10th century, the first document in which the castle and its vineyards are clearly mentioned was written at Cintoia, a small village 12 miles south of Florence on April 21- 1172.

A Florentine family named “Della Volpaia”, originated in that locality in the 15th and 16th century produced a series of artists and makers of clocks, armillary spheres, sun dials. The Science History Museum at Florence possesses numerous products of the Volpaia’s. The first members of the family to establish enduring reputation were Benvenuto e Lorenzo Della Volpaia. The last was a friend of Leonardo da Vinci and many letters with advise and proposal on technical problems they exchange were found.

In the sixthies, the present owners Carlo and Giovannella Stianti Mascheroni, decided to face a tremendous challenge. They were determined to develop the winery, introduce state of the art technology and produce world class wine without in any way interfering with the external structure of Volpaia, the 14th Century village which has been the winery's home for several centuries. 

They succeeded in doing this by avoiding the temptation to build new constructions, instead they painstakingly converted  several of the historical buildings into cellars, offices and comfortable apartments.

The winery includes two restaurant and a wine shop, and tours of some of the cellars are possible. The wines produced on the estate of Volpaia are among the best in the Chianti Classico area.