Castello del Trebbio, Chianti

Hello, on this lazy, drizzly day...I just got back from Chianti, and it was beautiful!!!
The weather held up for us the entire time, only becoming drizzly once we arrived back in florence shortly before 3 pm.

Driving from urban Florence into rural Chianti, Tuscany, we were surrounded by rolling, mountainous hills and tiny clusters of colorful, stucco homes of various burnt-red-colored tiled roofs. Although the day was overcast and cold, the weather created a georgeous blanket of light fog that covered the landscape and captured clouds along the base of the hills. God magnificance is so evidently manifest within the natural environment!

We twisted and winded our way up the hilly countryside (trying really hard not to get carsick
= P) and finally reached our destination: Il Castello del Trebbio, an ancient castle set high upon a hillside decorated with rows and rows of olive trees.

This castle is over 900 years old, and has been owned by prestigious names throughout history. Built by the Pazzi family in the 12th century, the castle was built as a fortress and served this purpose for a number of centuries. Due to an unfortunate turn of events, spurred from a lethal rivalry of power, the Pazzi family was 'overcome' (or killed off) and ownership of the castle fell into the hands of the powerful Medici. The current family bought it in 1968 and put 15 years into restoring it, remaining mindful and respectful of its history. They make their own Chianti wine, and produce their own, unique, authentic extra virgin olive oil, grown from over 10,000 olive trees scattered across their land!

We received a tour of the inside of the castle (we were unable to take pictures inside, due to the fact that they were the personal quarters of the family--who live there all year round!) and the tour guide provided us with background on how the family came to pass down ownership of the castle and vineyard through the generations. The rooms were magnificent!! The living room, adjacent to the main entranceway displays an original Raphael, "Madonna of the Garden"!!

Next, we got a tour of the wine cellars, and were told all about the process of picking, making, and aging wine. Towards the end of the tour, the guide discussed the process and unique Trebbio technique of making olive oil. They pick their olives early in the season, in October, reducing the acidity, getting less yeild, yet the most pure olive oil in the region.

Finally, we were led into a (slightly warmer) dining room, and were served authentic Tuscan cuisine; bread with olive oil, bruscetta, bowtie pasta with fresh olives, tomatoes and cheese, and a toasty-warm bread, tomato, and mushroom stew. It was phenomenal!! During our lunch we had a wine tasting -- of two Chianti wines; one lighter wine, aged for 6 months, and the other aged for 3 years in a barrel and 3 years in a bottle. I felt truly Italian! = ) It was a wonderful, authentic Tuscan experience!!

A presto!

Mollie