Querciabella was founded at the start of the 70ies by Giuseppe Castiglioni, a huge wine enthusiast and extraordinary collector of wine. The great French wines were his shining example, and wanting to produce his own wine he find an ideal location high up in the hills east from Greve in Chianti, a place where many oak trees grow, and this was at the origin of the name of the estate (Querciabella means “beautiful oak tree”). It revealed to be an exceptional terroir, at a rather high altitude (350-450 m.) for the Chianti Classico area, with an excellent exposition. Through the years Querciabella became a reference in Chianti: by selecting varieties suited to the land, by using the best materials and the best wood, by employing advanced techniques that enabled to avoid manipulating the fruit in accordance with a practice of ‘clean’ and balanced farming and, in short, by taking the concept of quality to the extreme, Querciabella aimed to become part of the small circle of standard-bearing Italian wines, and the highest awards are attributed to the wines in the specialised press. Besides the Chianti Classico, Querciabella produces since the 80ies also wines classified as IGT Toscana, made with less than 80% sangiovese (as required by the DOC Chianti Classico): the Camartina ( first vintage 1981), Batàr (white, first vintage 1998) and Palafreno (first vintage 2000). These wines are only produced if the vintage allows to reach a very high quality. From the beginning the aim of perfection went together with respect of the environment and of the unique character of the soil, and in 1999 Querciabella began its conversion to biodynamic. Thanks to this approach the biodiversity in the soil and in the vineyard is protected; the soil is much richer of micro-organisms, the vines are more resistant against diseases and the presence of natural predators limits the attacks of vermin. In order to obtain the highest quality, Sebastiano, the son of Giuseppe Castiglioni, now runs the company supported by an excellent management and technical team. The oenologist is Guido De Santi, a disciple of the famous Giuseppe Tachis (who helped to create Tignanello and Sassicaia) and Dales d’Alessandro is the agronomist.

The most sophisticated tools are at their disposal: stainless steel tanks with computer control and an integrated system for punching down, peristaltic pumps… Only natural yeasts are used, and the oak barrels are selected with utmost care, adapted to each parcel.
The four wines of the estate are now available:

• Chianti Classico (80% sangiovese, 15% cabernet-sauvignon, 5% merlot): an elegant, classy wine with crisp fruit
• Palafreno, IGT Toscana (55% merlot, 45% sangiovese): pure and refined with silky tannins; this wine obtained the maximum score (5 grappoli) in the wine guide of the Italian sommeliers, Duemila Vini
• Camartina, IGT Toscana (50% cabernet-sauvignon, 45% sangiovese, 5% merlot en syrah): absolute top class, power and subtlety together; 3 bicchieri in the Gambero Rosso, and elected best wine of Italy 2004!
• Batàr, IGT Toscana (65% chardonnay, 35% pinot blanc): a rare white wine, very refined and elegant; considered by many as best white wine of Tuscany.
  To see the technical sheet of the wines, go to Our products and click on the little bottle right from the name of the wine