Despite its relatively short history, Castella di Rampolla stands as one of Italy's most revered names in fine wine. Founded in 1965 by the di Rampolla family, the vineyard has been in family hands since 1739, originally starting as a wheat and cattle farm. Two hundred years later, however, the farm was transformed into a vineyard thanks to Alceo di Rampolla, who wished to convert his family's antiquated business into a "modern" company. With 30 years under his stewardship and another 30 from his children, Castello di Rampolla became a cult favorite due to its authentic and consistent vintages.
Cabernet Sauvignon Turned Italian
When first growing wine, Alceo had what some might call an outlandish dream- turning Cabernet Sauvignon into an Italian wine. After partnering with legendary consultant Giacomo Tachis, the pair were able to create a Bordeaux-style wine made in Tuscany. The result was the estate's flagship vintage, Sammarco. First released in 1982, the refined wine is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and Merlot, resulting in a drink of fine aromas of woodland undergrowth and a strong concentration of powerful tannins. Quickly becoming the superstar in Rampolla's selection, the estate shed its past of former flagship- Chianti Classico's- difficulty in becoming respected and developed into one of Italy's premier names.
A Farmhouse Terroir Perfect For A Vineyard
Castella di Rampolla sits on the hilltop town of Panzano, famous for its golden basin (Conca d'Oro). The vineyard's location provides an outstanding amphitheater composed of the village's hillside, And, with grapes coming from an altitude of 1,140 feet from a single vineyard, the estate can produce an inconceivable wine defined by bold flavor and lauded for a graceful aging ability.
Biodynamic Revolutions
Once Alceo passed away in 1991, the estate's ownership was given to his children, Luca and Maurzia. Upon taking leadership, the duo revolutionized Castello di Rampolla's farming practices by converting to biodynamic processes that included the elimination of chemical elements on vines and an eventual switch to fermenting Sangiovese in terracotta amphorae, which contains no added sulfites. Additionally, 90% of the estate's machinery was replaced by lightweight technology for energy efficiency.
Along with the biodynamic practices came a new production, d'Alceo, named after the children's father. Noted for being Rampolla's first biodynamic wine, it was created with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, representing a union between the winery's two generations and fulfilling the wishes of Alceo. Since its inception, d'Alceo has consistently scored 95+ points from renowned critics, showcasing the children's ability to carry out their father's legacy and craft an everlasting wine for the estate.
Unstoppable Vintages
Luca and Maurzia's rigorous and innovative strategies have paid off, with James Suckling scoring the Sammarco 2017 vintage an incredible 98 points for its beautiful balance and creamy tannins. The critic also showed love for the d'Alceo 2008 vintage, giving the wine a perfect score of 100 points. Noted for its vibrant, racy, and balanced flavor along with the ultra-fine tannins and amazing fruit, the vintage quickly became a distinguished vintage among the Rampolla winery.
Indulge In A Flavor Of Tuscany
Rampolla's unique mixture of French and Italian varietals allowed the winery to become one of Tuiscany's premier estates in a relatively short amount of time. A legacy beginning with humble farm beginnings, to Alceo's unconventional approaches, to his children's modern, biodynamic take on winemaking, the di Rampolla estate represents longevity, boldness, and authenticity- three factors every wine connoisseur seeks in a collection.
