Discover Gaiole in Chianti

Castle of Meleto

The imposing “Castello di Meleto” as well, in its oldest parts, dates back to the year 1000. It belonged to Benedictine monks and then to the Ricasoli family, who took possession of the castle in 1200 (we did tell you they were a powerful family, didn’t we?).
Since 1968, the Viticola Toscana Spa, a farm specialized in production of Chianti Classico DOCG, bought the property. The Castle of Meleto organizes guided tours of the castle’s main floor and its small theatre and cellars. It also hosts events and weddings. More info on the official website of the Castle of Meleto.

Monteluco Castle

The Castello di Monteluco overlooks the village of Lecchi, a few kilometres south of Gaiole in Chianti. In contrast to the complexes we mentioned above, the castle always served its original purpose as a real outpost of soldiers and was never turned into a manor house. The complex was recently renovated and divided in private stately homes, but the original appearance remained intact. You also should know that the massive tower defending the weaker side of the castle, the “Nibbio”, is an independent apartment offering accommodation. Here’s the link to the Monteluco Castle website.

Montegrossi castle

Atop a hill a little further south of Badia a Coltibuono stand the ruins of Montegrossi castle, an important bulwark of defense back in medieval times. Fun fact: the complex withstood repeated fierce attacks throughout the centuries, but couldn’t do anything to resist the assaults undertaken in 1530 by the army of Charles V. The castle was unfortunately destroyed and, since then, the ruins have been abandoned.

Castle of Meleto

The imposing “Castello di Meleto” as well, in its oldest parts, dates back to the year 1000. It belonged to Benedictine monks and then to the Ricasoli family, who took possession of the castle in 1200 (we did tell you they were a powerful family, didn’t we?).
Since 1968, the Viticola Toscana Spa, a farm specialized in production of Chianti Classico DOCG, bought the property. The Castle of Meleto organizes guided tours of the castle’s main floor and its small theatre and cellars. It also hosts events and weddings. More info on the official website of the Castle of Meleto.

Monteluco Castle

The Castello di Monteluco overlooks the village of Lecchi, a few kilometres south of Gaiole in Chianti. In contrast to the complexes we mentioned above, the castle always served its original purpose as a real outpost of soldiers and was never turned into a manor house. The complex was recently renovated and divided in private stately homes, but the original appearance remained intact. You also should know that the massive tower defending the weaker side of the castle, the “Nibbio”, is an independent apartment offering accommodation. Here’s the link to the Monteluco Castle website.

Montegrossi castle

Atop a hill a little further south of Badia a Coltibuono stand the ruins of Montegrossi castle, an important bulwark of defense back in medieval times. Fun fact: the complex withstood repeated fierce attacks throughout the centuries, but couldn’t do anything to resist the assaults undertaken in 1530 by the army of Charles V. The castle was unfortunately destroyed and, since then, the ruins have been abandoned.

�Between one castle and another, we already gave you some food & wine related tips, that’s (luckily) how it works when dealing with the Chianti area (and Tuscany itself)! Let’s add a few more names to the must-taste list.

Badia a Coltibuono

As you may already know “badia”, in italian, stands for an old abbey: documented evidence traces the history of Badia a Coltibuono back to the year 1037, when a small church was transformed into a monastery complex and entrusted to Vallombrosan monks. In the early XIX, under Napoleonic rule, the monks were forced to leave and the abbey was sold at auction.
Nowadays, the complex is a renowned wine estate producing DOCG and IGT Chianti Classico wines and also offers accommodation. Have a look at the official website.

Castello di Ama

The top-rated Castello di Ama winery was founded in the 1960s in Ama, a small hamlet nestled in the gentle hills south of Gaiole. The estate currently covers about 250 hectares, 90 of which are lined with vineyards (mostly Sangiovese, of course) and 40 of which are covered in olive oil trees.

When in the area of Gaiole in Chianti, also consider paying a visit to the quintessentially Tuscan villages of Vertine, Barbischio and Lecchi, all three of them dating back to the XI century. Vertine is an oval-shaped walled hamlet, which still cherishes most of its original buildings and fortifications: to mention a few, the beautiful limestone tower standing next to the gate and the Parish church of St. Bartholomew.

Must sees in Barbischio are the tower overlooking the village (the remains of an ancient castle), the parish church dedicated to St. James and the “Molino di Barbischio”, a medieval housing complex. Lastly, Lecchi in Chianti stars, among other things, the Castello di Monteluco we mentioned above and the abbey of San Michele.