Castello di Ama is one of the most respected estates in Chianti Classico, with vineyards high in the hills above Gaiole. This page brings together the estate's wines, from the fruit-driven Ama Chianti Classico to the Gran Selezione from the San Lorenzo, Bellavista and La Casuccia vineyards. For the wider region, see our Chianti page.
Castello di Ama: a Chianti Classico estate in Gaiole
The modern story of Castello di Ama begins in 1976, when four families from Rome joined forces to restore an old wine estate in the hamlet of Ama. Marco Pallanti arrived in 1982 as a young agronomist and has been both winemaker and general manager ever since. Lorenza Sebasti, daughter of one of the founding partners, became CEO in 1988, and the two have shaped the estate together. Pallanti also served as president of the Chianti Classico Consortium from 2006 to 2012, the years in which the Gran Selezione category was created.
The vineyards sit between 430 and 520 metres above sea level and now cover about 75 hectares. The four valleys that supply the grapes all lie within a kilometre and a half of the cellar. Sangiovese is the backbone, alongside Merlot, Canaiolo, Malvasia Nera and a few other varieties. The estate is also known for its collection of site-specific contemporary art, which began in 2000 with a work by Michelangelo Pistoletto and has since grown to include pieces by Daniel Buren, Louise Bourgeois and Lee Ufan.
Castello di Ama Gran Selezione: San Lorenzo, Bellavista and La Casuccia
From 1978 onwards the estate identified the parcels with the best soils and microclimates. That work produced the single-vineyard wines now bottled as Chianti Classico Gran Selezione:
- Castello di Ama San Lorenzo takes its name from the San Lorenzo valley and is made from the best grapes of the Bellavista, Casuccia, San Lorenzo and Montebuoni vineyards. It is Sangiovese with tiny amounts of Merlot and Malvasia Nera, built to develop over many years.
- Vigneto Bellavista pairs Sangiovese with Malvasia Nera, which brings a floral lift. It has always been the estate's benchmark for finesse and elegance.
- Vigneto La Casuccia was first made in 1985 from three separately harvested parcels of Sangiovese and Merlot. It is produced only in the best vintages and in very small quantities.
Our range includes San Lorenzo from 2013 and 2020 and a mature 1987, alongside Bellavista from 2019 and 2021 and La Casuccia 2021.
L'Apparita, Il Chiuso and the rest of the Castello di Ama range
Castello di Ama also made Merlot history. In the early 1980s Pallanti grafted Merlot onto old Canaiolo and Malvasia Bianca vines at the top of the Bellavista vineyard, and from the 1985 harvest this became L'Apparita, one of the first pure Merlots from Tuscany.
The rest of the range shows how broad the estate's work is:
- Ama Chianti Classico, almost entirely Sangiovese, arrived with the 2010 vintage as the estate's fruity, approachable Chianti Classico.
- Il Chiuso is Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero), planted in 1984 with clones from Morey-Saint-Denis on chalky soils at around 500 metres. Older bottlings from 1987 and 1992 are also on the shelf.
- Al Poggio is the estate's Chardonnay, made since 1988 on the same chalky slopes.
- Purple Rose is a Sangiovese rosé made by the saignée method, partly fermented in barrique.
If you enjoy Chianti Classico, see also Fontodi in Panzano.
Castello di Ama FAQ
Where is Castello di Ama?
The estate is in the hamlet of Ama in the commune of Gaiole in Chianti, in the heart of Chianti Classico between Florence and Siena.
What is the difference between Ama and San Lorenzo?
Ama is the estate's young Chianti Classico, fruity and ready to drink. San Lorenzo is a Gran Selezione from the best grapes of four historic vineyards and benefits from a few years in bottle.
Which grapes does Castello di Ama use?
Sangiovese is the main grape in every Chianti Classico. Merlot, Malvasia Nera, Pinot Nero and Chardonnay appear in the Gran Selezione blends and the IGT wines.
What food goes with Castello di Ama Gran Selezione?
These wines have firm acidity and fine tannins, so they suit grilled beef, game, lamb and aged pecorino. Older vintages show best with simple dishes.