Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Around Radda in Chianti
Castello di Brolio
( 0577 73 02 80;
www.ricasoli.it
; self-guided tour of garden, chapel & crypt €5, guided tour of museum,
chapel & crypt €8; 10am-5.30pm mid-Mar-Nov, guided tours every 30 minutes 10am-1pm &
2.30-5.30pm Tue-Sun)
The ancestral estate of the aristocratic Ricasoli family dates from the
11th century and is the oldest winery in Italy. Currently home to the 32nd baron, it opens
its formal garden, panoramic terrace and museum to day-trippers, who often adjourn to
the on-site
osteria
for lunch after taking a guided tour of the castle's small but fascinating
museum.
Occupying three rooms in the castle's tower, the museum is dedicated to documenting
the fascinating life of Baron Bettino Ricasoli (1809-1880), the second prime minster of
the Republic of Italy and a true polymath (scientist, farmer, winemaker, statesman, busi-
nessman). A leading figure in the Risorgimento, his greatest claim to fame (in our view, at
least) is that he invented the formula for Chianti Classico that is enshrined in current DOC
regulations.
The chapel dates from the early 14th century; below it is a crypt where generations of
Ricasolis are interred.
The estate produces wine and olive oil, and the huge terrace commands a spectacular
view of the vineyards and olive groves. Surrounding the castle is a
bosco Inglese
(English
garden) where, near the estate carpark, you'll find the estate's
Osteria del Castello
(
CASTLE
0577
73 02 90; four-course tasting menu with wines €50; noon-2.30pm & 7.30-9.30pm Fri-Wed late
Mar-Oct)
. Just outside the estate's entrance gates, on the SP484, is a modern
cantina
(
9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 11am-7pm Sat & Sun Mar-Dec, 9am-6pm Mon-Fri Jan & Feb)
where you can taste
the estate's well-regarded Chianti Classico.
Castello di Volpaia
( 0577 73 80 66;
www.volpaia.it
; Località Volpaia)
Wines, olive oils, vinegars and honey have
been produced for centuries at this wine estate based in the medieval hill-top hamlet of
Volpaia (the name is misleading, as there's no actual castle here). Book ahead to enjoy a
tour of the estate's cellars, or pop into its
enoteca,
which is inside the main tower of the
castle
.
While here, consider enjoying a snack at Bar Ucci or a more formal meal at
Ristorante
La Bottega
(
WINERY
0577 73 80 01;
www.labottegadivolpaia.it
; meals €25;
noon-2.30pm & 7.30-10pm
