One of the iconic producers of Chianti Classico, the wines of Castello di Verrazzano never fail to dissapoint. At their best they show classic Sangiovese character with earthy cherry and an austere tannic backbone. The Verrazzano estate has a long and distinguished history. The "vineyards situated in Verrazzano” are mentioned in a manuscript that dates back to 1170 and is preserved at the abbey of Passignano. In 1485 Giovanni da Verrazzano (who famously discovered the bay of New York and much of the east coast of America) was born at the castle. The seventh century castle is situated strategically on a hilltop that looks out over the Greve valley, across which the vineyards spread out with the typical varieties of the Chianti Classico denomination, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet and a touch of Canaiolo and Colorino. Today Luigi Cappellini owns the stunning estate which boasts fifty-two hectares of vineyards at altitudes between 260 and 420 meters. He has in recent years introduced a philosophy of organic viticulture into the business and the winery is now certified organic.