Wine experience at Castello di Meleto

It is the symbol of Gaiole in Chianti and its connection with wine begins in the 11th century with the Benedictine monks, although the first written mention of its name dates back to 1256. A date that is often in front of one's eyes if one stays at the Castle of Meleto, a perfectly intact manor that was first a military fortress and then a farmstead for the harvest and the preservation of products, and that was finally converted into a noble country villa from the 17th century onwards under the aegis of the Ricasoli family. Its recent history began in 1968 with 'Operation Vineyards' and the birth of Viticola Toscana, in fact the first Italian crowdfunding in the world of wine inspired by Gianni Mazzocchi (publisher of magazines such as Quattroruote), and continues today with Società Agricola Castello di Meleto, which manages the winery, over 1,100 hectares of land (130 of which are given over to organically cultivated vines, six to olive groves and two to beehives for bees) and tourist services. Guests, most of whom are foreigners, are accommodated both in the fine rooms with four-poster beds on the first floor of the castle (the Torre Parabuio suite includes a relaxation area with sauna and Turkish bath for exclusive use) and in the old farmhouses of the workers converted into flats (the nearby wine shop and restaurant, l'Osteria di Meleto, is also open to the public).The experiences offered in the Castle range from wine-tastings in the wine shop of the ten labels of the cellar to cooking courses, from picnics in the vineyard to imperial dinners in the most prestigious rooms of the castle (such as the Stanza della Mappa, where the first configuration of the territory of the Denomination is frescoed), from hikes in the hills among the rows of vines to the secret cells where the barrels of Vin Santo rest. Gems to delight guests are the small court theatre dating back to the mid 18th century, used for chamber music concerts and presentations, and the Big Bench, the large bench, a contemplation point for admiring the Chianti Valley but also an experiential location for tastings and samplings.