QUERCETO DI CASTELLINA

The map of the “Capitani di Parte Guelfa”, drawn in the 16th century, shows the vast outline of the estate that is now the Azienda Agricola Querceto di Castellina. The property is at 1200 feet above sea level and covers 170 acres, 25 of which are planted with vineyards and 6 acres with olive trees. In the 1940’s  the Di Battista family purchased the estate and it used as a vacation home until the 1980s. In 1988 the complex of stone houses was beautiful restored into nine cottages/apartments, which are today used as agriturismo. The vineyards were at the time leased to other local wine producers. Beginning in 1997 the first two vineyards were replanted. In 1998, Jacopo Di Battista, the owner's son, joined the management team, built a new cellar and under the guidance of winemaker Gioia Cresti focused on dramatically improve the quality of the wine produced on the estate. In 1998 the first bottle Chianti Classico L’Aura was released. In 2001 more vineyards were replanted, with a density of 3000 carefully selected vines per acre. The restoration project, including the replacement of existing vineyards and the addition of the new wine cellar was completed in spring 2003. In addition to the Chianti L’Aura, the winery also produces the Podalirio, an award-winning supertuscan made with 100% Merlot grapes and in June of 2009 introduced the Vigneto Belvedere, a Chianti Classico Riserva.