Poderi Castellare di Castellina is a Tuscan wine estate located in the heart of the Chianti Classico area, close to the village of Castellina. It was formed in 1968 by the consolidation of five farms. Since the last 70’s, the estate has belonged to Paolo Panerai who also owns Feudi del Pisciotto, Gurra di Mare in Sicily, and a joint venture with Domaines Barons de Rothschild in Maremma called Rocca di Frassinello.

Castellare has roughly 33 hectares of vineyards, 12 hectares of olive-groves, 15 hectares of mixed cultivation, and also forest. Vine age is between 5 and 30 years. Ideal exposure to the sun, good drainage, a mixed ground of calcareous marls, galestro and little clay give both red and white wines structure and depth for a long aging in bottle.

In addition to the flagship wine, I Sodi di San Niccolo, the estate produces Chianti Classicos, Riservas, varietal and white wines.

Castellare’s Il Poggiale Riserva is a blend of 90% Sangioveto, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Ciliegiolo from a high-elevation, low-yielding single vineyard with an average vine age of 25+ years. After fermenting in stainless steel, the wine ages for 12 to 18 months in oak barrels, half of which are new, and finally an additional year in bottle.

A testament to the huge potential of the relatively unknown Sangioveto variety, the wine is both elegant and rich, with terrific cellaring potential.