MATTEO TEMPERINI APPOINTED EXECUTIVE CHEF FOR ROSEWOOD CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO
Matteo Temperini has been appointed executive chef for Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, the bucolic Tuscan resort and world-class culinary destination that distinctly embodies Rosewood’s A Sense of Place philosophy. Founded by Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco features two restaurants, an organic vegetable garden and a cooking school, while the greater estate boasts a leading Brunello di Montalcino Winery among other key assets that offer guests an exceptional Italian experience. In this role, Chef Matteo will lead the talented culinary team and oversee all gastronomic programming for the iconic property.
Chef Matteo joins Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco with extensive experience in the food and beverage industry working in top restaurants across Europe, Asia and North America. Most recently, Matteo served as the executive chef for the distinguished Le Sirenuse in Positano, leading the hotel’s La Sponda restaurant to earn its first Michelin star.
Early in his career, Matteo was appointed sous chef at the Parisian restaurant, Spoon – Food and Wine by French culinary legend Alain Ducasse, followed by chef de partie at the prestigious three-Michelin-star establishment LOUIS XV in Monaco. Back in his native Italy, Matteo worked as chef de partie for the world-renowned Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence before assuming a headline role at Il Gallopapa in Castellina, Chianti, where he earned his first Michelin star in 2002.
Matteo Temperini Appointed Executive Chef for Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
“Matteo’s enormous passion for utilizing the highest-quality, locally-sourced ingredients combined with his authentic connection to Tuscan cuisine will take us a significant step forward in the culinary space,” said Davide Bertilaccio, Regional Vice President and Managing Director of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco. “We look forward to the fresh perspective and tremendous value that Matteo will bring to the renowned epicurean experience at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco.”
THE ESTATE
Tuscany has always wowed visitors with its beauty. Castiglion del Bosco excels at moving its guests in the most memorable of ways.
Situated in Montalcino, in the Val d’Orcia nature reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Castiglion del Bosco extends across 2,000 hectares, purchased in 2003 by Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo. Most of the estate comprises dense woodland, which continues to teem with a variety of local fauna. Another part of the property is planted with organic crops, while the vineyards “only” occupy 62 stunning hectares.
All the buildings, with the exception of the winery, are historic and were restored by Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo with utmost respect for local tradition and the past.
Castiglion del Bosco consists of: The Winery, sitting on a hill slope and almost concealed from view, was designed to obtain the very best from the grapes grown in the vineyards; The Borgo, over the years home to important noble Sienese families who owned the estate and in the past comprising the medieval castle dating back to 1100 AD, the manor house, a church, stables and farmhouses scattered throughout the estate. Today it is an impeccable luxury five-star resort, managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts; The Club, the only private golf club in Italy extending across 210 hectares of gently rolling Tuscanhills with a challenging 18-hole course designed by the legendary winner of the British Open Tom Weiskopf.
Stepping into Castiglion del Bosco is like setting foot into a magical world, where nature speaks eloquently and mankind continues to respect the ecological equilibrium in perfect harmony with the surrounding land. Here, the beauty of Tuscany is savored at its most authentic, in an elegant and refined setting.
The Castle – castiglione – XII century
A TUSCAN STORY
“I arrived at Castiglion del Bosco one cool, sunny morning in March.
I wasn’t looking for a winery or for a big estate;
I was just visiting a few places with some friends, with no specified interest in mind.
I was so incredibly moved by the limitless views, by the scenery that can only be found in the Val d’Orcia: I had no idea that such a beautiful corner of Tuscany still existed.
It was love at first sight.”
Massimo Ferragamo
Castiglion del Bosco has preserved its current boundaries for over 800 years and has remained almost intact throughout the centuries. The Tuscan countryside in which the estate stands is a custodian of masterpieces by farmers, architects and artists, a guardian of a glorious past acknowledged worldwide as a pinnacle of excellence.
The estate’s history dates back to antiquity. Traces of the medieval heart of Castiglion del Bosco can be found on the maps used by pilgrims in the second millennium, amid raiding and disputes.
Still standing, the medieval-style castle dates to around 1100 A.D.
In subsequent years the estate was home to noble Sienese families who lived here, bringing with them the illustrious art of Pietro Lorenzetti, which can be admired in the small church in the Castiglion del Bosco’s medieval heart. Farming has always been a mainstay, as seen in the stables, olive groves, farmed land and the vineyards, of course.
In 1967, Castiglion del Bosco was a founding member of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium, one of the first Italian wines to achieve DOC and DOCG status. (The Consortium now boasts 240 members.)
In 2003, Castiglion del Bosco was restored to its former glory thanks to Massimo Ferragamo who, having fallen in love with the Capanna vineyard, bought the estate to fulfill his Tuscan dream. A renewal project started straightaway on both the architecture and the winemaking processes.
Although wine is a centuries-old art at Castiglion del Bosco, until only a few years ago the vineyards were cultivated solely for domestic use by the families living on the estate.
In 2004, work began on the new winery, whose cellars can hold up to 3,000 hectoliters of wine.
The modern and efficient facility extends across two floors and is perfectly at one with the hill slope.
Heading up a team of experts knowledgeable about the wine world, such as consulting enologist Beppe Caviola and consulting agronomist Ruggero Mazzilli, Massimo Ferragamo and winemaker Cecilia Leoneschi embark on a lengthy process that begins in the vineyard.
In 2003 an internal team began to be developed, a group of individuals who fully espouse the new production philosophy. An artisan approach with a focus on minutiae and on zoning, in vineyard and cellar, are essential to making a fine wine that taps into the terroir. In 2010, this far-sighted vision led to the Riserva, the highest expression of the new nature of Brunello di Montalcino by Castiglion del Bosco.
The wines of Castiglion del Bosco now receive worldwide recognition for their excellence.
While we walked around the 2,000-hectare estate, each corner struck me by its beauty, from the castle ruins dating to around 1100 to the 1345 Lorenzetti fresco in the little San Michele church.
Wherever I looked I breathed in the history of these unique places, unchanged down the centuries.
But it was the Capanna vineyard that made me realize that Castiglion del Bosco was the place for me.
In Capanna the views are boundless: from the Uccellina Mountains in the Maremma to the islands of Giglio and Montecristo.
Faced with such beauty I felt a strong sense of responsibility to protect it.
Even now I don’t feel like I own these places. Instead I feel as if I am guardian of something, something that must be preserved for future generations. Castiglion del Bosco is still a magical place for me.”
Massimo Ferragamo
THE VINEYARDS
The position of the vineyards at Castiglion del Bosco is particularly favorable: perfect exposition, good ventilation, low humidity and natural isolation due to the woodland that encircles the estate, the ideal barrier against vineyard parasites and affording protection for other vineyards in the Montalcino area.
With its natural drainage, the rocky soil is perfect for making complex wines of fine elegance.
The vineyards occupy 62 stunning hectares, planted solely with Sangiovese and divided into two very different zones regarding aspect, soil and microclimate: Gauggiole, a 20-hectare vineyard to the north, and Capanna, 42 hectares, to the south.
Capanna is the estate’s quintessential vineyard, a single parcel that winds along the hill ridge like an enormous, submissive green river. Just gazing at it is an emotional experience, so it is no surprise that Massimo Ferragamo was even more determined to purchase the estate when he set his eyes on this jewel: “It was 2003 when I was first captivated by this place, by its incredible isolation and spellbinding woods. The idea came to me straightaway to make it into an oasis of pure timeless quality.”
Capanna faces southwest at an altitude that begins at 250 meters and reaches 450 meters above sea level. The vineyard, registered exclusively for Brunello production, is divided into separate parcels, beginning at the top of the hill, which is called Campo del Drago, and extending down to the foot of the slope. The soils in the uppermost areas are marked by an abundance of Galestro rock, “a compact, schist based mass,” explains winemaker Cecilia Leoneschi, “which, combined with scarce groundwater reserves, forces the vine to push its roots down deep.”
Capanna Vineyard
Here the vines are most exposed to the wind, which is the predominant characteristic of this vineyard, and most subject to considerable variations in temperatures from day to night. As the slope descends the rocky composition changes, with the central swathe composed largely of galestro, while rock-studded clay schist preponderate farther down.
The estate’s second vineyard is Gauggiole, 20 hectares located in the northern part of the estate at 250 meters above sea level. Here the soil is distinguished by a mixture of clay and rock, while the microclimate alternates in a balanced way between winter and summer temperatures, ideal conditions for the development of the fruitiness classic to the Sangiovese varietal.
“In 2003, we began a re-planting program,” added the winemaker. “We left the best lots untouched, but gradually re-planted the lesser performing parcels. We used this opportunity to change the vineyard layout, which went from 4,000-4,500 vines per hectare to the present 5,600.” Future layouts are expected to reach 6,000 vines per hectare.
The oldest vines still surviving on the estate date to the early 1990s, while the other vineyards were systematically re-planted in 1998 (under the previous ownership) and between 2003 and 2009. Once the replanting had been completed, 51 out of the 62 hectares under vines were Brunello registered.
Gauggiole Vineyard
OUR WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY
At Castiglion del Bosco, the soil is worked to preserve and perfect each single vine. Our philosophy is that every intervention is tailored to each parcel of land. The natural isolation enjoyed by the vineyards protects the vines and considerably reduces the number of interventions required.
“Our aim is to produce exceptional wines that our soil enables us to make, distinctive wines of great integrity that are more rooted in the land, more complex and more enduring thanks to this type of viticulture,” continues winemaker Cecilia Leoneschi.
Winemaker Cecilia Leoneschi
Castiglion del Bosco has been organic-certified since 2016.
The approach to natural viticulture started with baby steps a few years ago and the new philosophy was fully embraced in 2014.
At Castiglion del Bosco natural viticulture means: intimate knowledge of the vineyards: one of the main and most difficult objectives was to create a team of individuals who knew every inch of the estate’s vineyards, who would observe them every day and work in a diversified way according to the needs of each single vine. This attention to detail has resulted in the finest wine and a strong sense of terroir; zoning: vineyard management as the sum of small parcels focusing on the needs of the vines, ripening times and different traits enables a differentiated production and the utmost quality to be obtained from each single parcel. The concept of cru is fully embraced, guaranteeing intimate knowledge of the Castiglion del Bosco vineyards and a profound connection between the wine and the land; balance in the vineyard: organic vineyard management has never been the end goal; it is simply the best way to eliminate chemical agents and obtain the balance required in a natural vineyard; creating a complete winery cycle: the first steps lies in the winery’s production of its own compost to replace all kinds of chemical fertilizer. The organic compost we use is made from pruning and fermentation waste mixed with organic mature, the only product from an external supplier, when and as needed; well-balanced vines: the vine must look after itself, hence allocating the resources it has available in equal measure to growth and vegetation. In this way, not overly vigorous vines grow, which require scarce intervention to the vegetation and produce a perfect amount of grapes that achieve full and even ripening; vine longevity: The vines do not undergo any drastic measures to force their personality and culminate in overproduction. The Guyot pruning system, in addition to avoiding major cuts for return pruning, allows small, barely compact bunches to grow, a hallmark of quality and perfect ripening; minor soil care: in line with the low-intervention philosophy of natural viticulture, the use of machinery is minimal and work is restricted. This ensures that the soil does not become overly compacted, leaving its structure intact with naturally circulating oxygen. A row of vines with herbs growing in between limits soil erosion and maintains soil humidity; biodiversity: the vineyard is a single-plant environment that makes its vines and immediate surroundings more susceptible to attack. Enticing useful insects and sowing different herbs increase the biodiversity and bring balance. The vine becomes rejuvenated and hardier. This is
why green manure techniques are implemented through the growth of wild or planted herbs and flowers. Reaping the herbs brings additional protection to the soil, enriching it with organic substances; natural isolation: the position of the Castiglion del Bosco vineyards is particularly favorable, the ideal natural barrier against vineyard parasites and the use of sulfur and copper (the only two elements that can be used in organic agriculture) is minimal. Less vigorous vines are less
susceptible; in difficult years help is provided in the form of natural herbal products that boost the vine’s self-defense;
harvested by hand: the grapes are gathered by hand and placed in aerated 15 kg boxes. The harvest usually begins in mid-September and ends in late October in the Campo del Drago and Millecento vineyards.
THE WINERY
The modern, functional winery extends across two floors and is perfectly at one with the hill slope, almost hidden amidst the poplar and beech trees. The natural selection done in the vineyard is perfected at the winery. The grapes are transferred by gravity into 60-100 quintal tanks, in which fermentation takes place separately according to the vineyard. Natural fermentation at controlled temperature maintains the aromas in the wine, yielding the space needed by the native yeast to add character. For bolder grapes in terms of aroma and flavor, very long maceration times are
applied, which soften and lend elegance. Once fermentation is complete, the wines begin their refinement in wood.
The wine is moved into French oak casks and barriques in the controlled-temperature semi-underground area. A sight to behold from above in the tasting room, a glass prow that looks out over the ageing cellar.
The ageing process continues with bottle refinement for between 6 and 36 months before release to market. Depending on the wine, bottle refinement may be preceded by time spent in concrete tanks.
The aging Cellar and the Zodiac Tasting room
THE WINES
The Castiglion del Bosco range embraces the two local appellations Rosso di Montalcino DOC and Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, also as the prized single-vineyard Campo del Drago, the Zodiac Limited Edition as well as Millecento Riserva, only produced in exceptional vintages.
The IGT Toscana Chardonnay and Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice San Michele complete the wine portfolio. In true Tuscan tradition, Castiglion del Bosco also produces Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Honey and Grappa del Drago, aged for 5 years in oak barriques.
GAUGGIOLE ROSSO DI MONTALCINO DOC
Gauggiole Cru Rosso di Montalcino is a young, refreshing Sangiovese, that originates from Gauggiole Vineyard, which is situated at the top of gentle hills, ranging from 250 to 350 metres above sea level. Here the soils are fresh and not overly clayey, and the northeast aspect mitigates Sangiovese’s signature characteristics of power and heat.
Over the years, our winemaker Cecilia Leoneschi has studied this vineyard at length, concentrating on the best soil and microclimate qualities and pinpointing parcels that now allow the very best grapes to be selected in the vineyard, which results in even more superior wines.
Rosso Gauggiole is the cherry-pick of grapes from different parcels. These grapes vaunt all the characteristics to express themselves at the highest level and to become Brunello, but due to the particularity of the vineyard the decision was made to refine the wine for less time than a Brunello and not to use traditional wood but concrete instead to preserve the primary aromas that the vineyard itself enhances. These choices have led to a wine that communicates a fresh and crisp fruitiness.
About 20,000 bottles are produced every year in 750 ml formats.
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG
Brunello di Montalcino of Castiglion del Bosco is complex, elegant and enticing on the palate, hallmarks of the Sangiovese grown in the stunning 42-hectare Capanna vineyard, unique in the Montalcino region for its position and prowess. The organic viticulture enhances the vineyard in the wine, which is a garnet-flecked ruby red and releases generous, emphatic aromas classic to Sangiovese.
The grapes are fermented for 18 days in steel tanks at a controlled temperature of approximately 28°C. The future Brunello di Montalcino is moved into wood where it spends 24 months ageing in barriques (30% of which are new) and a part in 30-50 hl French oak casks.
Around 120,000 bottles are produced every year in 375 ml, 750 ml, 1.5 liter, 3 liter and 5 liter formats.
CAMPO DEL DRAGO CRU BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG
Campo del Drago deserves an explanation all of its own. The Brunello di Montalcino cru that hails from the most prized parcel of the Capanna vineyard, 1.5 hectares at 450 meters above sea level with the best exposition.
The centuries-old name derives from the dragon-tail shaped trench at the foot of the vineyard.
Looking at the stream the realization immediately dawns that the local farmers could never have called it anything else. The name is so distinctive that the owners have made Campo di Drago one of the hallmarks of Castiglion del Bosco: it’s the name of the Brunello cru and one of the estate’s restaurants.
Campo del Drago was first created from the 1999 vintage, when Massimo Ferragamo found some top-quality vats upon taking over the estate, one of the cellar choices made by the previous ownership. One of these tanks proved particularly interesting due to its mineral nuances and it
wasn’t hard to work out that it contains the wine from the parcel up on the top of the hill.
The production philosophy has changed completely since then. “Now the vineyard has the first word,” explains winemaker Cecilia Leoneschi. “We implement strategic decisions in the single parcels, which are usually also emphasized in the cellar.” Indeed, Campo del Drago has always lived up to—and surpassed—expectations, offering top-quality grapes.
The geological and microclimatic conditions of this small “vineyard within a vineyard” means that it produces bunches that are few in number and quite loose, but year after year assisted by day-night temperature variations and the southwest exposure, it offers up grapes that exhibit optimal physical ripeness. “The Sangiovese that we receive from this parcel displays such an extraordinary expression of the terroir that it could be none other than our Brunello cru.”
The grapes are fermented for 20-25 days in steel tanks at a controlled temperature of approximately 28°C. Ageing takes place for 24 months in barriques and a part in 30-50 hl French oak casks. Refinement occurs in natural concrete tanks for 6 months.
About 6,000 bottles are produced every year in 750 ml, 1.5 liter and 3 liter formats.
MILLECENTO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO RISERVA DOCG
The Millecento Riserva is the most traditional expression of Sangiovese by Castiglion del Bosco, a wine of extraordinary elegance and distinctiveness drawn from its terroir.
Millecento hails from the expert selection of grapes by hand from the vineyard of the same name, which was planted in 1998. The Riserva was made for the first time from the exceptional 2010 harvest.
The Millecento vineyard boasts a southeast exposition, which lends elegance, finesse and a high- acidity tenacity, and a southwest parcel that bestows complexity and longevity to the wine.
After fermentation in steel vats with lengthy maceration, Millecento is aged solely in 50hl grand barrels for 36 months. The wine is refined for another 6 months in concrete tanks before being bottled. About 6,000 bottles are produced annually in 750 ml, 1.5 liter, 3 liter and 5 liter formats.
LIMITED EDITION ZODIAC BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG
In 2013 Castiglion del Bosco launches a limited edition Brunello di Montalcino called “Zodiac”. A wine of extraordinary character and individuality.
Every year the very best grapes are expertly selected from the estate’s finest vineyards to produce this rare Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, the fullest expression of Castiglion del Bosco terroir and the singular characteristics of each vintage. The careful selection of the finest grapes ensures that this riserva remains uniquely distinguishable over time.
A profound knowledge of the vineyards, paired with the singular characteristics of every vintage, defines the uniqueness and authenticity of these much-cherished collectors’ labels.
Every vintage is celebrated with a personalized label featuring the corresponding Chinese zodiac sign, exclusively designed for Castiglion del Bosco by renowned Chinese artists, selected by Massimo Ferragamo. Six vintages have been produced to date, sparking competition among collectors all over the world. Every year, some of the bottles are sold at auction during an annual fundraising event with proceeds going to charities in Italy and in China.
RATINGS
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG James Suckling | 2014 | 91
Vinous-Antonio Galloni |2013| 94
James Suckling | 2013 | 94
Wine Spectator | 2012 | 94
James Suckling | 2012 | 96
Wine Advocate | 2011 | 92
James Suckling | 2010 | 96
Wine Spectator | 2010 | 94
Wine Advocate/Robert Parker |2010 | 94
CAMPO DEL DRAGO
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG
James Suckling | 2013 | 95
Wine Advocate |2013 | 94
Wine Advocate/Robert Parker |2012 | 94+
James Suckling | 2012 | 94
James Suckling | 2011 | 93
Wine Advocate/Robert Parker |2010 | 94
James Suckling | 2010 | 96
MILLECENTO RISERVA
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG
James Suckling | 2012 | 95
Wine Advocate |2012 | 94
Wine Advocate/Robert Parker |2011 | 94
James Suckling | 2010 | 96
Wine Spectator | 2010 | 94
Wine Advocate/Robert Parker |2010 | 94+
ZODIAC
LIMITED EDITION
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG
James Suckling | 2012 | 98
Brunello Riserva Year of the Boar
James Suckling | 2011 | 96
Brunello Riserva Year of the Dog
James Suckling | 2010 | 99
Brunello Riserva Year of the Rooster
James Suckling | 2010 | 98
Brunello Cru Year of the Monkey
James Suckling | 2009 | 93
Brunello Year of the Goat
James Suckling | 2006 | 97
Brunello Riserva Year of the Horse
WINERY TOURS
Castiglion del Bosco is recognized for its top-tier winery hospitality.
Named as one of the top ten wineries to visit in Tuscany by international wine magazine Decanter, Castiglion del Bosco offers cellar tours and tailored tastings, a way of exploring Tuscany at its most beautiful, where the spontaneity of nature, a trust in tradition, culture and craftsmanship meet
attention to detail and the height of elegance.
A visit to the stunning Capanna vineyard and tasting a selection of Castiglion del Bosco’s finest wines is a unique experience, ranging from a barrel tasting to Tuscan cheese pairing and even a vertical tasting of old vintages dating back to 1967, the year in which the Brunello di Montalcino
Consortium was founded.
MILLECENTO WINE CLUB
At Castiglion del Bosco we have a long standing passion for nature, wines and the art of winemaking. Millecento Wine Club is meant to share our passion with a small group of wine enthusiasts and collectors, who become part of the Castiglion del Bosco family. It is one of the most exclusive clubs in the wine world, inspired by this unique corner of Tuscany and the fine wines of Castiglion del Bosco.
Hailing from all over the world, members gather in the refined ambience of the Members’ Cellar, where they share their love of wine as well as other interests. Private events and outstanding tastings are organized throughout the year.
The name Millecento derives from the year in which Castiglion del Bosco was founded, when the castle was built, proudly emblazoned on the estate’s logo.
This exclusive club is by invitation only.
HOSPITALITY: ROSEWOOD CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO
The Castiglion del Bosco resort is the most authentic expression of Tuscan refinement and the personal taste of the owners, Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo.
Situated in the highest part of the estate, Castiglion del Bosco began its new life with the renovation of the centuries-old village, known as Il Borgo. Every detail has been lovingly perfected by interior designer Teresa Burgisser and Chiara Ferragamo as if it were an actual home, in absolute respect of the past and the authenticity of the estate.
The five-star luxury resort has been managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts since 2015. The resort comprises 23 suites, with antique furniture, locally crafted textiles and artisanal accessories, 11 villas with private pools set in lovingly restored 17th- and 18th-century farmhouses, 2
restaurants and a spa. A wide range of amenities is available on request, such as a private chef to cook in your villa.
THE CLUB: ITALY’S ONLY PRIVATE GOLF CLUB
The Club at Castiglion del Bosco is Italy’s only private golf club and is reserved for members only.
The golf course is one of the finest private courses in Europe and the only Continental European design of Champion golfer Tom Weiskopf.
Weiskopf’s Tuscan masterpiece is exquisitely blended into the soft curves and contours of the estate’s rolling hills and valleys, treading lightly in an environment whose natural beauty requires little enhancement or embellishment. As Weiskopf himself says about the course, “It looks as if it
has been there 100 years.” As well as the standard 18 holes, one of which is one of the longest in Europe, at 620 meters, Weiskopf added a final challenge, the “Brunello Hole”, a short distance from the Club House, where members often enjoy competing for a Magnum bottle of Brunello.
For the golfer striking out across the rich, rolling grasslands, the same Tuscan topography that yields the ripe delights of acclaimed Brunello wines also produces turf of the finest playing quality.
Beautifully conditioned tees and fairways give way to elegant green complexes with eminently smooth, true-rolling putting surfaces.
CLUBHOUSE
An historic farmhouse overlooking the course has been converted into an elegant Clubhouse.
Members benefit from exclusive access to locker rooms, including a wellness corner with sauna and steam room, as well as a members-only lounge and a Professional Shop.