凱撒城堡酒廠 Castello di Querceto

在十八世紀時，源自法國的法蘭西斯家族於義大利托斯卡尼定居，1897年買下凱撒城堡。二十世紀初，Carlo François將莊園由居家鄉村型轉型為農業式莊園，快速地提升了凱撒城堡的運作過程達到非常卓越的階級。1911年凱撒城堡便已經贏得了國際釀酒大獎；1924年更被Chianti Classico釀酒協會評定為三十三座莊園的會員之一。

對於釀製葡萄酒，Alessandro François (城堡主人、首席釀酒師)認為應該讓每種葡萄品種的特性發揮到極致，展現出其優點。在葡萄的種植過程當中，嚴格控管葡萄的品質，每年的九月底至十月底為採收葡萄的時間，凱撒城堡以人工摘取葡萄的同時嚴格挑選，並採用有機方式發酵。 凱撒城堡的橡木桶採用來自法國Allier，Tronçais，Limousin的橡木製成，用來存放Cignal及單價較高的葡萄酒與Chianti Classico Riserva。 Alessandro François深入研究莊園中精選系列的運作程序，提升各種葡萄品種的特質以發揮到極致，奠定葡萄園的特色。他勤奮謹慎的研究莊園內各個葡萄園的微氣候及物理特性，由於影響葡萄特質的條件有顯著的不同，只有分別栽種於各個葡萄園才能確保葡萄酒保有其原有特質。也只有這樣的葡萄酒才能夠滿足不同的葡萄酒鑑賞專家及消費者需求。

經過多年努力以後，凱撒城堡已生產四種不同的葡萄酒以及Chianti Classico和Chianti Classico Riserva，這兩支葡萄酒是酒莊的精選系列，使用特定區域栽種的葡萄，並且單獨採收及釀造。

For some time now, Alessandro François, has based estate operations on the production of some special selections that were identified through an in-depth study of the characteristics of the vineyards. It is Alessandro's idea and intention to exalt to the maximum the characteristics and potential of the various varieties, each of which is cultivated in different environmental conditions. Diligent study of the microclimatic and physical aspects of the various vineyards on the estate has led him to conclude that, because of the pronounced variations of the parameters that influence the characteristics of the grapes, only separate vinification of the fruit of each vineyard and, therefore, production of crus would assure wines with strong characters and outstanding personalities, each different from the others. Such wines would be capable of satisfying a wide variety of expert and demanding consumers. As a result and for many years now, Castello di Querceto has been producing four wines, in addition to Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva, that are selections or crus. They are made from grapes grown in specifically selected vineyards and harvested and vinified separately.

Three other wines are made from the white grapes cultivated in the Castello di Querceto vineyards and further enrich an already substantial array of estate products. A selection of Chardonnay and Trebbiano Toscano grapes yields François I, a classic-method sparkling wine, while the remaining grapes provide a dry white wine, Le Giuncaie. The last type of wine produced is the Castello di Querceto Vinsanto, which is made from Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia del Chianti grapes. The estate uses the traditional method, which involves slow fermentation and maturation in small oak casks lasting at least five years.