history
The history of Castiglion del Bosco dates back to 1100 A.D., amidst armed struggles, assaults and the inprint of great Sienese families, who settled and brought here the artistic genius of Pietro Lorenzetti, whose precious Annunciazione dei Santi (1345 A.D.) still adorns the hamlets tiny church. Farming was always a mainstay, as seen in the stables, olive groves, farmed land, and vineyards. In more recent history, Castiglion del Bosco became a founding member of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium in 1967.
Castiglion del Bosco entered its new chapter in 2003, when it was transformed to its current glory by Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo. Renewal of both the architecture and the winemaking processes commenced immediately and today the wines of Castiglion del Bosco receive worldwide recognition for their excellence. In 2022 Castiglion del Bosco begins a new chapter in its history with its transfer to an international family office, who ensures the continuous development of the entire estate with a spirit of continuity.
2021
Our Brunello di Montalcino 2016 has received 99 points by the renowned wine critic James Suckling and it came in second place in his Top 100 Wines of Italy 2020, where are listed the best wines of any Italian wine region and appellation.
2016
The Zodiac Rooster Brunello di Montalcino 2010 Riserva received 99 points from James Suckling: A beautiful Brunello that shows the unique character of this great vintage. Elegant, beautiful, powerful and youthful this wine is gorgeous now but will be great in 2020. Only 688 magnums made.
2014
Millecento Wine Club was funded, inspired by this unique corner of Tuscany and the fine wines of Castiglion del Bosco, is meant to share our passion with a small group of wine enthusiasts and collectors.
2013
A limited edition Brunello di Montalcino is launched, titled Zodiaco. This fine wine is named after a tiny parcel of vineyard in the very best position. Every vintage is celebrated with a tailored label depicting the corresponding Chinese Zodiac sign, designed by leading Asian artists.
2010
This top vintage marks the beginning of the new Riserva di Brunello Millecento, whose name pays tribute to the year in which the fortress, the estate’s symbol, was erected. This Brunello is an achievement of our goal, said winemaker Cecilia Leoneschi. It’s a riserva that contains a piece of each of us. The wine enjoyed immediate and international critical acclaim.
2009
Work began on Castiglion del Bosco Golf Club, completed in 2010, with a stunning 18-hole course designed by Tom Weiskopf. The only private golf club in Italy.
2008-2009
Castiglion del Bosco opens the first nine villas. After meticulous restoration, the Borgo reveals its charm as 23 refined suites. In 2015 the resort became part of the prestigious brand Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.
2004
Val d’Orcia is acknowledged as a place of outstanding universal value by UNESCO, recognizing Castiglion del Bosco as a World Heritage site.
2004
The new winery is built, boasting a capacity of 3,000 hectoliters. Constructed across two levels, the modern, efficient cellar is half-concealed by the hillside. The first vintage of Brunello di Montalcino Campo del Drago 1999 is released to market, made in the new cellar.
2003
After beginning as a wine producer at Tenuta Prima Pietra in Riparbella, in Northern Maremma, Massimo Ferragamo acquired Castiglion del Bosco and initiated restoration of the estate’s historic sites – renovation of the Borgo and villas, modernization of the facilities, and innovating the winemaking and cellars.
1996
The Art, Nature and Culture Park of Val d’Orcia is established. The parkland, which surrounds the Castiglion del Bosco estate, is a Protected Natural Area of Local Interest committed to increasing knowledge of the cultural and environmental heritage, as well as the production and sale of local products.
1967
Castiglion del Bosco is a founding member of the Brunello di Montalcino Wine Consortium, one of the earliest Italian wines to earn Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status. There were 25 founding members, totaling a production of approximately 850,000 bottles, while today’s production exceeds 6,000,000 bottles and the consortium is comprised of 140 wineries.
1902
The Biondi brothers, then owners of the estate, received leading international accolades for their wines.
1876
The fresco behind the altar in the San Michele Arcangelo church, covered with plaster over the centuries, was rediscovered by Priest Don Giuseppe Lazzaroni. In 1930, art historian Cesare Brandi attributed it to Pietro Lorenzetti.
1833
Castiglion del Bosco was mentioned as part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in Dizionario Geografico, Fisico e Storico della Toscana (E. Repetti) and an engraving of a view of Castiglion del Bosco was found in Francesco Fontani-s “Vedute pittoresche della Toscana” Vol. II, published in Florence.
1777
With a granducal motuproprio, Leopold II instituted the new Montalcino community, to which various communities were aggregated, including Castiglion del Bosco.
1598
Following the destruction of the castle and the decimation of the population, life resumed in the Borgo and the countryside became settled again. At that time the owner of Castiglion del Bosco was the noble Del Cotone family, who had the S. Michele Arcangelo church in the Borgo restored in 1684.
1369
The castle became a refuge for the so-called Party of Nine, who continued reprisals stopped Maremma provisioning from reaching Siena. The Siena Republic sent its troops who defeated the claimants and set fire to the fortress. It is believed that the old San Michele church was abandoned immediately after these clashes and that the parish church moved to the church inside the Borgo, where it still stands today.
1345
Pietro Lorenzetti (1280-1348) finished his Annunciation and Six Saints in the San Michele Arcangelo church, in the heart of the Borgo. On the right you can see the saints Archangel Michael, Bartholomew and Francis of Assisi; on the left, saints Anthony the Great, John the Baptist and Stephen.
1318
Sienese Ciampolo Gallerani declared himself lord of the fortress. He claimed that one of his descendants, Cecilia Gallerani, was the girl depicted by Leonardo da Vinci in his famous painting “Lady with an Ermine” (1488). On his death, in 1338, Castiglion del Bosco fell under the rule of the Piccolomini family, who initiated widespread renovation of the fortifications.
1208
Castiglion del Bosco occupies a strategic position in the Siena Republic, subject to higher property taxation than all the other estates. During the thirteenth century the castle underwent a series of armed assaults by Montalcino to remove Castiglion del Bosco from Sienese rule.
1100
The castle is erected in classic medieval style. At the dawn of the thirteenth century, the Cacciaconti family of Trequanda had stone walls built around the stronghold that stands on the hilltop, still visible today with the stone tower.
725 A.C.
The Via Francigena is established, travelled for centuries by thousands of pilgrims from Canterbury to Rome. The road passes through the estate, where pilgrims sought shelter in the old San Michele Arcangelo church, situated about a mile from the Borgo.
600 a.C.
Archaeological excavations confirm the presence of Etruscan and Roman settlements at Castiglion del Bosco.
