Castello di Ama Montebuoni
Chianti Classico Riserva

History

The founding of Castello di Ama dates back to 1976, when four families originally from Rome set out to restore a prestigious wine estate to the splendor it deserved. The estate, which originally consisted of 55 hectares and was located in the heart of Chianti Classico, was immediately enhanced through major investments in the vineyard, following the most up-to-date agronomic techniques of the time, and the construction of a new winery, equipped with steel tanks, temperature control and large work spaces. 

With the infrastructure in place that could project Castello di Ama among the most advanced wineries in the area, the company recognized the need for a person who could take over the winemaking with personality and competence. So it was in 1982, with the arrival of Marco Pallanti, a young agronomist at the time, that the winery embarked on the decisive momentum in the pursuit of quality without compromise.

In the 1980s Castello di Ama helped consolidate the cru concept, producing the Chianti Classico selections: "Vigneto Bellavista", whose first vintage was in 1978; "Vigneto San Lorenzo", from 1982; "Vigneto La Casuccia", from 1985; and "Vigneto Bertinga", from 1988. The first years of experimentation then led to the search for non-traditional varieties that could enhance the characteristics of Sangiovese: Merlot, initially overgrafted to a small parcel of Canaiolo and Malvasia Bianca, brought such astonishing qualitative results that it merited a label of its own, the one that would become "L' Apparita", one of the jewels of world enology. 

The direction toward winemaking quality, sheltered from market trends, was then reinforced in its premises in 1988 with the entry of Lorenza Sebasti, daughter of one of the founding partners, and her rise to the role of CEO. The communion of purpose between Lorenza Sebasti and Marco Pallanti has led to total critical acclaim since the 1990s, placing Castello di Ama among the very first Chianti Classico estates and among the leading ones in Italy.

To date, Castello di Ama owns and manages about 75 hectares of vineyards and 40 hectares of olive groves, relying on the work of more than 60 people. The role of general manager and oenologist is held continuously by Marco Pallanti, who served, between 2006 and 2012, as President of the Chianti Classico Consortium, bringing the contribution of the creation of the 'Gran Selezione' category with the aim of highlighting the extraordinary quality and diversity of the region's wines.

Sustainability

1. From an agronomic point of view, Castello di Ama is committed to seeking the best man-nature relationship, always aware that there is no production process that disregards human intervention.

2. Since 2000, as the first winery in our region, we have experimented with and then adopted in our vineyards the practice of sexual confusion, which eliminates the need for the use of insecticides.

3. Castello di Ama, from its foundation to the present day, has always invested a large part of its capital in the continuous renovation of the vineyards, so as to adapt them to scientific and technological progress and avoid external chemical interventions.

4. The decision to invest in land adjacent to the winery and the optimization of agronomic procedures allow a very rapid management of the vineyard and production, thus allowing grapes to arrive at the winery always healthy and ripe that do not require any additional intervention (additives, excessive use of sulfur dioxide, stabilizations or extraordinary clarifications, etc.). 

5. Since the 2018 vintage, we have made the decision to produce our wines with zero residue of synthetic chemical molecules, that is, further below the permitted legal limits. This is achieved by implementing even more scupulous interventions and analysis in vineyard management and defense, precluding extraordinary interventions close to the harvest.

6. Believing in social sustainability, Castello di Ama puts human capital first. The winery currently employs more than 60 people, including the workers who follow the campaign continuously over the years. Castello di Ama, in fact, does not use external contractors. 

7. Every year, the company, through its technicians, evaluates and plans investments in machinery that can modernize the work, enhancing human intervention and overcoming alienation.

8. Adapting to the new standards and sensibility, Castello di Ama is active on researching better management of energy resources. In addition, from the year 2024, the company will be equipped with a photovoltaic system to generate electricity.

Our Vineyards

About 75 hectares under vine, around the village of Ama. The vineyards lie between 420 and 527 metres above sea level and extend across four valleys referred to by their traditional names of Bellavista, San Lorenzo, La Casuccia and Montebuoni.

320,000 bottles are produced on average every year, divided between Chianti Classico and IGT labels.

San Lorenzo vineyard
The divine valley in front of the eighteenth-century villa is named after the fifteenth-century chapel in the village of Ama.

It was purchased in 1972 and produced its cru of the same name between 1982 and 1990. It has become the heartland of the Sangiovese used to make Gran Selezione San Lorenzo.

At an altitude that varies between 466 and 525 metres above sea level, the vineyard covers 16.5 hectares and faces in an E/SE direction. The chalky soil contains a fair amount of clay-rich schist.

Bellavista vineyard
The mesmerizing Bellavista valley welcomes visitors to Ama. Since the 1978 vintage, a cru has been made from the very best grapes grown in this vineyard. Covering a total surface area of 22.5 hectares, this S/SW facing vineyard consists of pebbly soil, mostly clay and chalk, and varies between 427 and 515 metres above sea level.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Ama Vigneto Bellavista is one of the oldest Chianti Classico wines. It has been produced since 1978 from the vineyard’s Sangiovese grapes (approximately 80%) with the addition of Malvasia Nera. Very few bottles are made in exceptional vintages.

A powerful and masculine wine that losing none of its elegance and extraordinary harmony. The complexity unfurls with the passing of time, leading to longevity.

L’Apparita vineyard
The first purebred Tuscan Merlot. L’Apparita became an important cult wine in 1985, its debut year. The vineyard in front of the winery is called “L’Apparita” because the tower of Siena’s city hall appears in the distance at the highest point in the parcel.

The open lyre-trained vines extend across approximately 3 hectares at 501 metres above sea level. The rows are planted in a N/S direction.

The progeny of a labour of love, this wine has always been produced in a limited number of bottles (with the exception of the 2002 and 2012 vintages).

The altitude and the clay and chalk soil composition bestow freshness and elegance upon the wine that, alongside power, harmony and longevity, have made this Castello di Ama cru an unparalleled jewel in the crown of international winemaking.

La Casuccia vineyard
The stone walls of the striking terrace surrounding La Casuccia vineyard lie barely two kilometres north of the village of Ama. They were arranged in this way to ensure that the rows of Sangiovese face in a perfect N/S direction. The clay soil contains a large amount of stones. The vineyard extends across 16.1 hectares at an altitude that varies between 483 and 527 metres above sea level.

The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Ama Vigneto La Casuccia is made from Sangiovese grapes (approximately 85%) with the addition of Merlot. Only a limited number of bottles are produced in exceptional vintages. An intense wine with a complex and profound bouquet. Red berry aromas with tobacco, liquorice and mint nuances. Sublime opulence and elegance. This is a wine that ages spectacularly.

Montebuoni vineyard
Nestled on the slope of the hill parallel to the Bellavista vineyard, it is named after the village opposite. It was purchased by Castello di Ama in 1997.

The area under vine extends across 14.7 hectares and faces S/SW at an average altitude between 420 and 508 metres above sea level. The soil composition is varied: rich in clay at low-lying altitudes and abundant in chalk and stones on the highest slopes.

Sangiovese: 7.74 hectares planted in 1998 with 5,500 vines per hectare;

Merlot: 2.76 hectares planted between 1999 and 2002 with 5,500 vines per hectare;

Cabernet Franc: 1.97 hectares planted in 2001 with 5,500 vines per hectare;

Malvasia Nera: 1.84 hectares planted in 2002 with 5,500 vines per hectare.

Our Wines

Good taste is only a necessary condition. Each Castello di Ama wine is “Great” because it is faithful to the land and to the place where it is born. Each bottle is a walk through the streets of Ama.

"Wine has to spring from the rock of the vineyards and reflect its characteristics. Soil, climate and variety form a particular functional reality in which the technique of control of man is inserted, to bring out all the originality of the situation."
Marco Pallanti

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