Gaiole in Chianti, you turn towards Barbischio and in a handful of kilometres of gravel road –with breathtaking countryside – you arrive at Casa al Vento. This is the way to take if you want to pull the plug and let yourself be pampered in one of the pearls of the Chianti Classico region.
The TV program 4 Hotels with presenter Bruno Barbieri was very convincing and at the weekend the calling for a first tentative return to normality in 2021 was very strong.
Franceso and Michele welcomed us on our arrival, the first the owner and the second a modern estate manager, subsequently labelled the ‘double- breasted Cellarman’ for the numerous talents he displays.
Bought by the Giofreda family in 1992 the village has a medieval history, home to sharecroppers who conducted diverse activities there at the beginning of the 1100’s.
The estate covers around 15 hectares of which 7.5 are vineyards, prevalently Sangiovese (6.5 hectares) and a small part Merlot (1 hectare). Here they produce various good labels with fascinating packaging and always solid and satisfying to taste. Aria, Foho and V’Incanto are the Chianti Classico vintage, the Riserva and the Gran Selezione respectively. They follow a linear and ordered qualitative growth which is created thanks to the diverse ages of the vineyards and the individuating of the best performing lines through careful study and research. This is how the Selezione is a choice of only 4 lines which mature early and have different organoleptic characteristics. Less than 1000 bottles are produced and are refined in a single Garbellotto barrel of 7hl.
The estate was certified as biological in 2012 and is implementing important methods to attain its Plastic Free Certification. From 2021 the first labels of 99% recycled-vine products will arrive on the market (visible on the 2016 Gran Selezione) which will add to a series of grape based cosmetics and skin care products.
More unique than simply rare is the Wine Therapy project where one can relax in a warm jacuzzi filled with water and red wine from the estate, stimulating and beneficial to the human body. The structure also offers accommodation for fifty-two guests who wish to be perfectly pampered.
The estate is growing strongly, attracting tourists who love it for its gift of emotions and moments of pure happiness. The personnel are ever present, well prepared and ready to accommodate any request. The cuisine is typically Tuscan with ‘taglieri misti’ (platters of mixed cold cuts, cheeses and crostini) pici, ribollita and many other local culinary specialities.
Michele, who we mentioned at the beginning of the article, is a Sicilian boy who moved to Tuscany, he’s rich in talent and positive energy. Class of ’92 he’s responsible for welcoming the guests but above all for the management of the winery, from the choices in the field to the oenological ones, obviously always with support from external consultants.
He is the extra added value in this young winery, united in the vision and entrepreneurial long-sightedness of Francesco and his brother Pierpaolo. Year after year Casa al Vento closes the gap between the great names in oenology in the known denomination with the symbol of Gallo Nero.
The passion and love they put into their work transforms into emotions and pleasant surprises and Borgo Casa al Vento is a place that deserves to be visited and tasted to the full with a glass of Chianti Classico at the right temperature!
