| Over 100 years. The Castellani?s business was established in Montecalvoli at the end of the 19th century as Alfred, long-standing wine grower, decides to start bottling and selling his wine. In 1903 the business is officially registered at the Chamber of Commerce in Pisa. Alfredo?s son, Duilio, together with his brother Mario starts off the firm?s expansion period. A meticulous and intent man, Duilio takes an active part in every working stage. The most important vineyard is the one in Santa Lucia, in the fertile Arno Valley, where a sprightly and ?fit for ageing? red wine is produced and bottled in typical straw-covered flasks, gaining the interest of transalpine markets. One day in the little agricultural village of Montecalvoli comes a railway wagon drawn by a potent lorry. The maker of this miracle is Giorgio, Duilio?s son, determined and ambitious man, who starts export on a large scale. The 1966 flood causes great damage to the Montecalvoli winery. It is then decided to temporarily transfer the business to the Burchino Estate, on the hills of Terricciola. Giorgio?s brother, Roberto, brilliant journalist at the newspaper ?Il Giornale del Mattino? in Florence rushes to help shovelling mud away from the family?s winery. He then stays and contributes to the firm?s evolution. A well-read and cosmopolitan man, Roberto starts a pioneer undertaking on far-away markets, becoming one of the advocates of Chianti?s international success. The purchase of Poggio al Casone vineyard coincides with the extension of the winery at the Travalda Estate in Santa Lucia. During the night of 1982 New Year?s Day a fire burns almost completely down the firm?s premises. It seems to be the end. But within few months the Castellani brothers purchase the Campomaggio Estate and, thanks to the contribution of Piergiorgio, Roberto?s son, the business gathers strength. Wine-growing and technological researches are furthered clever specialists such as young oenologist Sabino Russo and the agronomist Federico Comassi are appointed. Today this centenarian firm pursues very enthusiastically the aim of producing wines, which are the expression of one of the greatest oenological regions of the world: Tuscany. |
