Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi)
Summary
Castelgiocondo, owned by the historic Frescobaldi family since 1989, operates one of Montalcino's largest estates with 235 hectares of vineyards on the southwestern slopes, where afternoon sea breezes and well-draining galestro and limestone soils create ideal conditions for their Sangiovese-based Brunello. The estate balances tradition with precision through selective harvesting, temperature-controlled fermentation, and aging in both Slavonian and French oak, maintaining territorial expression while ensuring consistent quality across vintages.
Heritage & Leadership
Castelgiocondo stands as one of the historical estates in Montalcino, with origins dating back to 1100 when the fortress was built to guard the road from the sea to Siena. The property takes its name from the ancient fortress that still stands on the estate. In 1989, the Frescobaldi family, whose winemaking history in Tuscany spans over 700 years and 30 generations, acquired full ownership of Castelgiocondo, integrating it into their portfolio of distinguished estates.
The estate holds particular significance in Brunello's history as one of the original producers when the Brunello di Montalcino denomination was established in 1967. Under Frescobaldi's stewardship, Castelgiocondo has undergone methodical vineyard replanting and technological upgrades while maintaining its historical importance in the region. The estate is currently managed as part of the Frescobaldi Group, with Lamberto Frescobaldi serving as President and directing the overall vision for the property.
Vineyards & Wines
Castelgiocondo encompasses 815 hectares of land, with 235 hectares dedicated to vineyards, making it one of the largest estates in the Montalcino denomination. The vineyards are strategically positioned on the southwestern slope of Montalcino at elevations ranging from 300 to 400 meters above sea level, providing optimal sun exposure and ventilation. This location captures afternoon sea breezes that moderate summer temperatures and create ideal conditions for Sangiovese cultivation.
The estate's soils are predominantly composed of galestro (schistous clay) and limestone, with varied compositions across different vineyard blocks. These well-draining soils, combined with the elevation, create stress conditions that produce concentrated Sangiovese grapes with structural complexity. The vineyards are planted primarily to Sangiovese, locally known as Brunello, with smaller plantings of other varieties including Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for the estate's IGT offerings.
Castelgiocondo produces several wines, with its flagship being the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. Other notable productions include Rosso di Montalcino DOC, the single-vineyard Brunello "Ripe al Convento," and the Super Tuscan "Lamaione," a Merlot-based wine. The estate's production protocols adhere strictly to the denomination regulations, with the Brunello aging for a minimum of four years before release, including at least two years in oak.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking philosophy at Castelgiocondo balances respect for tradition with technological precision. The estate practices selective harvesting, with each vineyard block picked separately based on ripeness indicators. Grapes undergo careful sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery to ensure only optimal fruit enters the fermentation process.
Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with maceration periods varying by vintage but typically extending 15-20 days for the Brunello. The estate employs both large Slavonian oak casks and smaller French oak barrels for aging, with specific protocols developed for each wine in the portfolio. The flagship Brunello typically matures for 36 months in oak, followed by additional bottle aging before release.
In the vineyards, Castelgiocondo implements precision viticulture techniques, including detailed soil mapping and climate monitoring to optimize growing conditions for each block. The estate has invested in water management systems to address drought conditions that have become more frequent with climate change. While sustainable practices are employed throughout the property, including cover cropping and reduced chemical interventions, the estate does not currently hold organic or biodynamic certification.
Castelgiocondo's approach reflects the Frescobaldi family's broader commitment to expressing the unique characteristics of each estate in their portfolio, focusing on territorial expression while maintaining consistent quality across vintages.