Castello di Meleto

Castello di Meleto is a fascinating reality where history, wine, and tourism are strictly connected. It is located in the heart of Chianti Classico, one of the most celebrated Italian wine areas worldwide, in Gaiole in Chianti - one of the municipalities with the highest altitude in the appellation - 30 km from Siena and 60 km from Florence. The history of Castello di Meleto is quite unique and has travelled through different eras over the centuries. Its connection with wine began in the 11th century with the Benedictine monks, but it was in 1256 that the first written mention of its name appeared. Since then, the external appearance of the castle has remained almost unchanged. In May 1968, the editor Gianni Mazzocchi conceived Operazione Vigneti, what nowadays we would call "crowdfunding": he invited his readers to participate in the purchase of company shares at a price of 10.000 Lire each, with a minimum requirement of one hundred shares (approx. 516 Euros total). This was a significant amount, considering that the average monthly salary of an Italian at the time was around 120 Lire. The initiative yielded excellent results, as half a billion Lire was raised in just two months. Thus, Viticola Toscana was born, the realization of a dream shared by one thousand six hundred people from all over Italy, which allowed the recovery of an Italian heritage that was at risk of being lost. Today, the company owns the largest organic vineyard area in Gaiole in Chianti, spanning 130 hectares divided into six different areas based on soil composition, climate, and altitude. The company's lands reach up to 600 meters above sea level, with an average altitude ranging between 350 and 450 meters.