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Castello Vicchiomaggio
Castello Vicchiomaggio is a stone castle on a hilltop above the Val di Greve, 18 kilometres from Florence. Its battlemented tower went up around 1100, and the site is a preserved national monument. The Matta family has owned and run the estate since 1964, with John Matta making the wines. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grow on the slopes below, for Chianti Classico and Toscana IGT. A restaurant, guest rooms and one of Chianti's most open tasting calendars share the same walls.
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Tuscany
- 2 wines
- Tastings
- Tours
- Accommodation
- Booking required
2 wines 
Tastings
Tours
Accommodation
Booking required 
About Castello Vicchiomaggio
The Matta family arrived in 1964 and has run the estate ever since. John Matta leads the winemaking. His wife Paola and their four children, Federica, Delfina, Victoria and Sebastian, all work in the business. Sixty years on, one ring of walls holds vineyards, cellar, restaurant, rooms and a wedding venue.
The castle is far older. It began as Vicchio dei Longobardi, and old parchments date the site to around 1100. It was built to watch the Val di Greve during Florence's wars with Siena. Peace later turned it into a Renaissance villa. The Maggio in the name comes from Calendimaggio, the May festival once held here. The estate recounts Leonardo da Vinci among its guests. Francesco Redi of the Accademia della Crusca is said to have written verses within these walls.
Vines cover 24 of the estate's 140 hectares, around 59 acres. Sangiovese leads, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Chianti Classico is the heart of the range: the San Jacopo bottling, the Agostino Petri Riserva and the selection La Prima. Toscana IGT reds sit alongside, led by Amphiarao, aged in 500-litre terracotta amphorae from Impruneta. A second, warmer line, Vallemaggiore, comes from the Maremma.
In March 2021 the estate joined VIVA, the Italian ministry programme for sustainable wine. That puts an outside check on how it farms and bottles, from vine to shelf.
Visiting is unusually easy for Chianti. The Cantinetta San Jacopo tasting room and shop opens daily from mid-March to December, 10am to 6.30pm. A tasting of four wines starts at 20 euros, and in winter the pouring moves inside the castle. Guided tours run by booking, from the 33-euro Gold Wine Tour to private tours and evening cellar dinners. Guests can stay on the estate, in apartments, suites and villas, with an infinity pool below the walls.
Plate I · TUSCANY
Castello Vicchiomaggio on the Tuscany wine atlas
Wine area
Chianti Classico
The galestro and alberese hills between Florence and Siena, where Sangiovese became Italy's most quoted red.
Denominations Produced
Grapes Used
Winery
Castello Vicchiomaggio
Greve in Chianti, Firenze · Chianti Classico
Denominations Produced
Grapes Used
Visiting Castello Vicchiomaggio
Editorially verified by ItalianWines.co.uk.
Tastings
Available
Tours
Available
Accommodation
Available
Booking
Required
Bookable online
5 experiences
Experiences at Castello Vicchiomaggio
5 experiences at the estate, checked by our editors. Booking completes on the estate's own site or on the platform the estate uses. We never take payment.
Some booking links earn italianwines.co.uk a commission. This never affects price or what we recommend.
Hosted by the estate5 available
Sommelier's Finest wine tasting
Enjoy the tasting of 4 different tpe of wines, paired with typical Tuscan bread with our Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Served in our tasting room, located at the entrance of the property. What is included - Tasting of 4 wines of the winery - Pairing with Tuscan bread, dressed with extra virgin olive oil
15 min
From €20 per person
Book via
Count Agostino's Wine and Gastronomy Lunch
Enjoy an authentic Tuscan experience at Castello Vicchiomaggio. Your visit begins with a guided tour of the vineyards (weather permitting), the historic cellars, and the Castle’s Italian Gardens. Lunch is then served in one of our elegant Renaissance dining rooms, where you will taste three of our finest wines — Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, and our IGT Supertuscan — paired with traditional dishes prepared by our kitchen. What is Included: Guided tour of the vineyards Guided tour of the historical cellars Tasting of 3 wines: Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, IGT Supertuscan Lunch Menu Pairing Pecorino cheese flan and bruschetta with our organic EVO oil Pappardelle with wild boar ragù “Stufato contadino” (Tuscan beef stew) with seasonal vegetables Homemade dessert Coffee
2h 30
From €65 per person
Book via
Sommelier's tasting at the Cantinetta San Jacopo
A four-wine tasting in the estate's tasting room beside the vineyards, available every day from 10am to 6pm with instant booking. The Cantinetta also sells the full range of estate wines and olive oil.
20 minutes
From EUR 20
Book direct
Gold Wine Tour of the cellars and vineyards
A guided visit to the historic cellars and vineyards of the castle followed by a tasting, running Tuesday to Friday at 3.30pm. Private tours, a terrace tasting and cellar dinners sit on the same calendar.
1 hour 30 minutes
From EUR 33
Book direct
Estate stays at the castle
Apartments, suites and villas across the wine estate, plus rooms at the castle itself, with an infinity pool and the castle restaurant on site. Stays include a tasting of four estate wines.
Book direct
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Estates without an online listing are reachable directly. Phone and email are in Practical info.
Sommelier's Finest wine tasting
Enjoy the tasting of 4 different tpe of wines, paired with typical Tuscan bread with our Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Served in our tasting room, located at the entrance of the property. What is included - Tasting of 4 wines of the winery - Pairing with Tuscan bread, dressed with extra virgin olive oil
15 min
From €20 per person
Book via
Tours that visit Castello VicchiomaggioRun by a tour operator. The estate is one stop of several. Booking completes on the platform that runs the tour.
Exclusive Dolce Vita Maserati Tour
Castello Vicchiomaggio · stop 2 of 3 · 90 min
6 hours 30 minutes
From €636 per person
Book this tour
Booking viaViator
Plan your visit
Località Le Bolle - Via Vicchiomaggio, 4, 50022 Greve in Chianti, Firenze (Toscana)
What Castello Vicchiomaggio makes
Castello Vicchiomaggio's current bottle selection is led by Chianti Classico DOCG. The clearest grape signal comes from Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese.
Common questions
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Yes, and more easily than at most Chianti estates. The Cantinetta San Jacopo tasting room and wine shop opens daily, mid-March to December, 10am to 6.30pm. A tasting of four wines starts at 20 euros. Guided cellar and vineyard tours run by reservation and average an hour and a half. Prices start at 33 euros for the Gold Wine Tour. Book through vicchiomaggio.it or [email protected].
Get in touch
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Tell us what you need and we'll help you reach Castello Vicchiomaggio and arrange a visit or tour. We reply within two working days.
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