History
Castello di Cacchiano has belonged to the Ricasoli-Firidolfi family for centuries and is linked to the history of Chianti Classico.
The modern technical path began in 1967 under Alberto Ricasoli-Firidolfi, who restructured and modernised the cellars.
During the 1970s and 1980s Countess Elisabetta Balbi Valier, Alberto’s wife, continued the development of vineyard and cellar techniques. Luigi Veronelli called her “La Donna del Vinsanto” for her knowledge and commitment to the estate’s Vin Santo.
Giovanni Ricasoli-Firidolfi began his personal wine project in 1983, explicitly connecting innovation with family history and the terroir of Monti in Chianti.
Terroir
The estate covers 200 ha, including 36 ha of vineyards within fields, woods and olive groves. It lies in the Gaiole UGA. The medieval maturation cellar visibly exposes layers of alberese and galestro. The walls are almost two metres thick and maintain a natural temperature of approximately 14°C.
Winemaking
The vineyards are embedded in a diverse agricultural landscape of fields, woodland and olive groves. The family works to interpret each vintage and parcel while preserving traditional grape varieties.
The oldest visible part of the estate is the medieval cellar. Thick walls maintain approximately 14°C naturally. Wines mature in oak casks and barriques. The modern technical path began in 1967 and continued through later generations. The winery aims to interpret vintage differences rather than standardise them.
Philosophy
Giovanni Ricasoli-Firidolfi states that the objective is to express terroir fully, interpret the characteristics of each vintage and produce wines that reflect Monti in Chianti, family tradition and the place of origin.