The Rocca di Frassinello project was inspired by a very simple idea – or should we say a very simple need: to replicate the model of excellence set in motion by the Castellare di Castellina winery in a new region. We set our sights on the central Maremma area, between Bolgheri and Scansano, where a sort of geological foot can be found, with the same characteristics as the Chianti and Montalcino terrains (of which this foot is in fact a kind of extension towards the sea). Land, therefore, similar to Tuscany’s most famous wine regions, but with one important difference: an average temperature 4 to 5 and even 6 °C higher, with grapes therefore characterised by the ability to ripen even three to four weeks earlier..
This area, so incredibly well suited for cultivating grapes is part of the Gavorrano and Roccastrada municipalities. It is indeed here where the first – and so far only one of its kind – French-Italian joint venture project for the production of wine took shape. The agreement between Castellare and Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), leading French wine brand in the world, aimed from the very beginning to bring together the experience of Castellare in the cultivation and vinification of Tuscany’s main vine variety, the famous Sangioveto, with Lafite’s long standing know-how of classical French vines like Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Shiraz. It took two years to bring together the five small farms that make up the 500 hectares of the Rocca di Frassinello, a continuing project which today already sees close to 90 hectares of planted vineyards. This already extremely ambitious venture has been further enriched by marking and pairing the birth of the Rocca di Frassinello winery with one of the most prestigious names in the world of design and architecture: that of Renzo Piano. (nella foto a sinistra).
