There is something special in the air in Tuscany; the combination of the rolling hills, gorgeous vineyards and perfect sunsets serve as the perfect backdrop for any wine tasting. But for an extra special tasting, Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo-owned winery Castiglion del Bosco is the place to go. Haute Living had the pleasure of visiting the estate for an exceptionally unforgettable experience.

Located in Montalcino, Castiglion del Bosco includes the winery itself—slightly hidden in the hills—the Borgo—the manor house, which has been converted into a five-star Rosewood Hotels & Resorts property—and the Club—the only private golf club in Italy with an 18-hold course designed by former winner of the British Open, Tom Weiskopf. All of the buildings, with the exception of the winery, are historic buildings that were restored by the Ferragamo family.

“I arrived at Castiglion del Bosco one cool, sunny morning in March,” began Massimo Ferragamo. “I wasn’t looking for a winery or for a big estate; I was just visiting a few places with some friends, with no specified interest in mind. I was so incredibly moved by the limitless views, by the scenery that can only be found in the Val d’Orcia: I had no idea that such a beautiful corner of Tuscany still existed. It was love at first sight.”

Haute Living’s tour guide, Filippo, guided us through the beautiful winery, which was both rich with tradition but functional with all the modernities needed and expected from a first-class establishment. While explaining the history of the property as well as the implemented wine-making processes, we were led into the aging cellar, where endless French oak casks and barriques were housed in the temperature-controlled, semi-underground space. Filippo explained that the aging process continued with bottle refinement for between six-and-thirty-six months before being released into the market.

Haute Living enjoyed several tastes of wine directly from the barrels, before heading upstairs to the glass-enclosed Zodiac Tasting Room, which looked over into the cellar. Shortly thereafter, we were guided to the exclusive, member’s only Millecento Wine Club—reserved for a small group of wine enthusiasts and collectors—which is also one of the most exclusive wine clubs in the world. Each member is granted a special wine locker, where they may store their wine-related belongings, in a gorgeous, circular-shaped room adorned with countless, priceless bottles and a private seating area. This is where Haute Living enjoyed several of the house-made wines, paired with a hand-selected array of cheeses and house-made olive oil.

The Wines

Castiglion del Bosco Rosso di Montalcino DOC

Sourced from the Gauggiole vineyard o the northern-side of the estate, this wine is fruity, refreshing and balanced. Approximately 45,000 bottles are produced annually in 375 ml and 750 ml formats.

Rosso di Montalcino Cru Gauggiole

A young and fresh Sangiovese, this vineyard is located at the top of the hills, between 250-and-350 meters above sea level, with fresh soil. Rosso Gauggiole Cru 2015 is the wine’s first vintage.

Castiglione del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Sophisticated yet complex, this wine is grown in the Capanna vineyard, with grapes that are fermented for 18 days in steel tanks at approximately 28-degrees Centigrade. The wine is then moved into wood for a 24-month aging process in barriques—30-percent of which are new—and a part in 30-50 hl French oak casks. Approximately 120,000 bottles are made annually in 375 ml, 750 ml, 1.5 liter, 3 liter and 5 liter formats.

Campo del Drago Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

From the most exclusive area of the Capanna vineyard, this wine was first created from the 1999 vintage, when Massimo Ferragamo discovered the highest-quality vats when he took over the estate. The grapes are fermented between 20 and 25 days in steel tanks with an approximate temperature of 28-degrees Centigrade, after which, a 24-month aging process takes place in barriques and a part in30-50 hl French oak casks. Natural concrete tanks are then used for refinement for six months. Approximately 6,000 bottles are produced annually in 750 ml, 1.5 liter and 3 liter formats.

Millecento Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva

The most traditional version of Sangiovese by Castiglion del Bosco, this sophisticated wine is created with hand-picked grapes from the vineyard with the same name, which was planted in 1998. The special 2010 harvest yielded its first Riserva. Steel vat fermentation takes place and then aged in 50 hl grand barrels for 36 months. The wine is then refined for an additional six months in concrete tanks and then bottled, where approximately 8,000 bottles are annually produced in 750 ml, 1.5 liter, 3 liter and 5 liter formats.

Zodiac Brunello di Montalcino DOC Limited Edition

A limited-editional Brunelli di Montalcino first launched in 2013, this wine is discerningly individualistic. Each year, the highest quality grapes are selected to ensure that the Riserva maintains its unique and distinguishable character. A personalized label is created with every vintage, touting the corresponding Chinese zodiac sign, designed by talented and renowned Chinese artists chosen by Massimo Ferragamo himself. To date, four vintages have been produced and each year, certain bottles make their way to a fundraising auction with proceeds benefiting charities in Italy and China.

All images courtesy of Castiglion del Bosco.