Castello di Spedaletto

Region:

Valdorcia - Toscana

3-4 Hectares

Vineyard Size

1,100 cases

Annual Production

Certified Organic

Farming

Winemaker

PIFFERI FAMILY

Castello di Spedaletto is located in Valdorcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. The site is halfway between Montalcino & Montepulciano. The Pifferi family has farmed that land for many generations, focusing on wheat and olives. Their property, known as Via Frangigena, contains a medieval fortress used by pilgrims to find rest and protection on the way to Rome. In recent years they’ve turned their focus to winemaking with great results. While production remains small, about 10,000 bottles per year, the quality of their Orcia DOC Sangiovese is exceptional.

Philosophy

The Pifferis have dedicated 8 acres of their property to vineyard. The soil is made up of mostly clay, but the drainage is poor. Water has a hard time penetrating the ground which forces the roots deeper in search of moisture. This strengthens the vines over time and gives the allusion they are older than their 20 years. The younger members of the family are taking a more active role in the operation. They pushed for a hands-off approach to both farming and winemaking. They also moved away from growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, so they could focus strictly on Sangiovese.