There are wineries whose history goes back a few decades. And then there is Frescobaldi. This Tuscan family has been making wine for 700 years – across 30 generations. Hardly any name is so closely intertwined with the history of Tuscany. In keeping with our Wine & Dine "Tenuta Frescobaldi", we take you on a journey through seven centuries of wine culture.
700 years, 30 generations
The roots of the Frescobaldi family go back to the year 1300. The noble Florentine family was not only active in viticulture, but was one of the most influential dynasties in Europe: the Frescobaldis were bankers to the English Crown and financed Kings Edward I and II. As patrons of the Renaissance, they had the Santa Trinità bridge over the Arno and the Santo Spirito church in Florence built. And their wine customers included such illustrious names as Donatello, Dante and the English King Henry VIII.
This close connection between wine, art and history characterizes the house to this day. It is currently led by Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi, who combines tradition with modern oenological knowledge – tradition and innovation go hand in hand at Frescobaldi.
Eleven estates, one philosophy
Today, Frescobaldi comprises eleven wineries with around 1,200 hectares of vineyards, spread across the most beautiful corners of Tuscany. The philosophy behind it is as simple as it is consistent: every estate should capture the character of its very own terroir in the wine. Instead of a uniform style, Frescobaldi celebrates the diversity of Tuscany – from the cool mountains to the warm coast.
This consistency makes the house so reliable: regardless of whether you reach for a simple everyday wine or a great vintage – the signature and the quality are always right.
The great estates at a glance
There are three names you should remember, because they represent the heart of the Frescobaldi universe:
- Castello di Nipozzano – located in the cooler Chianti Rufina east of Florence, in family ownership for over 1,000 years. The legendary Nipozzano Riserva, a Chianti of elegance and maturity, comes from here.
- CastelGiocondo – one of the oldest and largest estates in Montalcino, specializing in expressive Sangiovese. Its Brunello di Montalcino is a classic of the appellation.
- Castello di Pomino – Tuscany's highest estate at up to 735 meters in the Apennines, predestined for fresh, elegant white wines like the Pomino Bianco.
The connection to the Super Tuscans
What many do not know: Frescobaldi is also closely connected to the world of the great Super Tuscans. For years, the legendary Bolgheri estate Ornellaia belonged to the Frescobaldi universe, and to this day the house is one of the defining names on the Tuscan coast. The prestigious Luce project in Montalcino, a cuvée of Sangiovese and Merlot, also bears the family's signature.
This openness is typical of Frescobaldi: they maintain the centuries-old tradition of Chianti and Brunello – and at the same time dare to look beyond the horizon, towards modern, internationally influenced wines. If the topic fascinates you, take a look at our article "Super Tuscan simply explained".
From everyday wine to icon
The beauty of Frescobaldi: the size of the house is evident in every price category. These wines bring Tuscany to the table:
- Remole Toscana – the uncomplicated, fruity entry for every day.
- Tenuta di Castiglioni Toscana – from the family's ancestral seat, a harmonious Tuscan cuvée.
- Nipozzano Vecchie Viti – from old vines, the upscale Riserva top.
- Campo ai Sassi Rosso di Montalcino – the accessible Sangiovese from Montalcino.
- Pomino Benefizio Riserva – an elegant, wood-aged Chardonnay from high altitude.
- Alìe Rosé – a fine Mediterranean rosé wine from the Tuscan coast.
Terroir: the whole diversity of Tuscany
What makes Frescobaldi so special is the deliberate diversity of the sites. In Chianti Rufina, altitude and cool nights ensure elegant, long-lived Sangiovese wines. In Montalcino, the Brunello ripens under the warm sun of southern Tuscany to power and depth. And in Pomino, high in the mountains, fresh, almost alpine white wines are created. Combining this range in a single house is the true art of Frescobaldi.
And one more thing unites all the estates: the respectful treatment of nature. As owners of land that has been in family hands for centuries, Frescobaldi thinks in generations, not quarters. Sustainable cultivation and the preservation of the landscape are not marketing slogans here, but a lived necessity – after all, the land should also produce great wines for the next 700 years.
What do the wines go with?
The Sangiovese wines from Chianti Rufina and Montalcino are born companions of Tuscan cuisine: pasta with ragù, grilled meat, game and aged Pecorino. The great Brunello deserves a special piece of meat or a quiet evening. The fresh white wines from Pomino and the Alìe Rosé go well with fish, appetizers and light Mediterranean cuisine.
Wine and art – a family tradition
For the Frescobaldis, wine was always more than a drink – it was part of a comprehensive culture. As early as the Renaissance, the family supported artists and buildings, and they still cultivate this connection between wine and art today. For the limited editions of their top wines, the house repeatedly works with contemporary artists who design their own labels. Thus the circle closes: whoever opens a bottle of Frescobaldi is not just drinking wine, but a piece of lived Tuscan cultural history – from the Middle Ages to the present.
Experience Frescobaldi at our Wine & Dine
Seven centuries of wine culture to taste: at our Wine & Dine "Tenuta Frescobaldi" on 09.10.2026, we will present the family's wines in a direct comparison – accompanied by a suitable menu. The ideal opportunity to experience the whole diversity of this traditional house in one evening.
Our conclusion
Frescobaldi is lived Tuscan wine history – 700 years, 30 generations and eleven estates, each celebrating its own terroir. From the fruity Remole to the majestic Brunello, you get wines here that are backed by seven centuries of experience. If you want to experience Tuscany in all its depth, Frescobaldi is the right place for you.
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