The history of the Rocca di Montegrossi dates back to the sixth and seventh century AD when it was established by Geremia, the founder of the Ricasoli-Firidolfi family during the time of the Longobards. The family has played an essential role in laying the foundation for the Chianti Classico wines. The estate’s strategic location dominates much of Valdarno Superiore and Chianti and has a rich and dramatic history of conquests, destruction and rebuilding.
The winery is located in Monti in Chianti, considered one of Chianti Classico’s finest sections. The cellars of the winery are located near the Romanesque church of San Marcellino. Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi, a descendant of the Ricasoli-Firidolfi family, is the current owner of the Rocca di Montegrossi.
The estate spans 100 hectares, out of which 20 hectares each are dedicated for vineyards and olive groves and the rest for woodlands. The vineyards of the family are located at an altitude of 340 to 510 metres above sea level. The primary variety planted are the indigenous varieties of Chianti Classico though there are other international varieties grown. 13 hectares of the estate has been allotted for Sangiovese variant of grapes, 2.5 hectares for Merlot and the remaining 4.5 hectares for different varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Colorino and Canaiolo. Planting density in the old vineyards is about 3300 vines per hectare, where the vines are trained to the unilateral horizontal cordon spur system. In new vineyards, the planting density varies from 5208 to 6211 vines per hectare, where the vines are trained in the bilateral horizontal cordon spur system.
The olive groves receive the same amount of attention as the vineyards. The groves are planted in the surroundings of the winery on well-exposed slopes, which is ideal for the production of high-quality oil. The estate has over a thousand Coreggiolo and Moraiolo cultivar trees. The planting in the groves is carried out through the coltura promiscua technique, interspersing the olive groves with other fruit trees.
Organic management of the estate’s vineyards and the olive groves commenced in 2006, for which the estate received a certification in 2010. The vineyards are cultivated using eco-friendly practices like collecting rainwater to avoid using drinking water and using machines by hand instead of electricity.
http://www.roccadimontegrossi.it
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