Castello di Meleto:

Nestled atop the hills of Gaiole in Chianti Classico, Castello di Meleto stands as both a symbol of heritage and a model of sustainable winemaking, carrying forward over nine centuries of history.

Once a medieval fortress recorded as early as the 11th century, Meleto served as a strategic outpost between Florence and Siena before evolving into an elegant villa for Tuscan nobility in the 18th century. In time, it fell into decline, with the castle and its farmland nearly lost. A new chapter began in 1968, when “Operation Vineyards” (a pioneering crowdfunding effort) brought together 1,600 shareholders to purchase and restore the estate. Today, that same community still guides Meleto, uniting history, agriculture, and innovation in a remarkable collective enterprise.

Sustainability at the heart of the estate

Covering 1,600 hectares, of which 160 are planted to vines, Castello di Meleto is the largest organic estate in Chianti Classico. Its landscape of forests, olive groves, beehives, and farmland forms a balanced ecosystem where biodiversity thrives. With 700 hectares of woodland absorbing around 7,000 tonnes of CO₂ each year, the estate acts as a significant carbon sink (the equivalent of offsetting some 2,200 round-trip flights between London and Los Angeles!).

Since joining the Chianti Biodistrict in 2020, Meleto has embraced precision farming. Vineyard sensors monitor microclimates, weather, and vine health, reducing the need for synthetic inputs and enabling gentle, timely intervention. Biodiversity is further supported through the "In the Name of the Bee" project, which maintains 80 hives of organic honey and offers supporters the chance to “adopt” a hive, contributing directly to pollinator protection.

Hands-off winemaking 

That same ethos of care extends to the cellar. Around 70% of grapes are harvested by hand, with careful selection first in the vineyard and again at the sorting table. Fermentations rely on native yeasts and minimal intervention, preserving the transparency of the terroir.

Vineyards in Gaiole benefit from higher elevations and a varied, rocky soil mix of galestro, alberese, clay, and limestone, giving the wines distinctive freshness, structure, and mineral character. This unique terroir is expressed in Meleto’s wines, contributing to their elegance, balance, and longevity.

Through its Cru Project, the estate has identified outstanding plots within its vineyards defined by unique combinations of soil, altitude, and exposure. From these sites hail wines such as Gran Selezione Vigna Casi, Vigna Trebbio, Vigna Poggiarso, and Toscana IGT Parabuio: bottlings that showcase the depth and diversity of the estate’s exceptional terroir.

Where history meets innovation

While rooted in tradition, Castello di Meleto continues to evolve. The estate’s wines are authentic expressions of Chianti Classico: elegant yet powerful, with supple structure, lifted freshness, and a distinct minerality drawn from its low-yielding organic vineyards. Under the guidance of Michele Contartese and his team of winemakers and viticulturists, no detail is spared, bringing new vitality to this historic property and establishing it as one of the most notable estates in Chianti Classico.