Castelvecchi: Vineyards, History and Cycling Tours

Castelvecchi combines the concentrated atmosphere of a small hamlet with wine landscapes, medieval traces and several cycling tours. The village lies in the hills above Radda in Chianti at an altitude of 600 metres and is surrounded by vineyards and oak forests. This makes Castelvecchi a distinctive base for visitors who want to combine culture, landscape, wine and active exploration.

Vineyards and Landscape in Chianti

The landscape includes the Castelvecchi vineyard, located northwest of the municipality of Radda in Chianti at 530 metres above sea level. Its soils consist of galestro and sandstone. In the heart of Chianti, the Castelvecchi estate covers around 300 hectares of vineyards and forests. Within this estate lies the Madonnino vineyard in Castelvecchi, in front of the Pieve di Santa Maria Novella; it is one of the oldest vineyards in Chianti.

Medieval Traces and Historic Cellars

The origins of Castelvecchi date back to the 10th or 11th century. In the Middle Ages, the village was known as “Castello et Curtis” – a name indicating a military function and the presence of a farmstead. Historically, Castelvecchi also served for observation and defence and was fortified with strong surrounding walls.

Among the notable historic elements are the cellars of Castelvecchi. They extend across around 1,000 square metres of underground rooms and were built on the foundations of a medieval defensive structure. Thus, when exploring the village, you encounter not only wine and landscape but also architectural traces of its former protective function.

Chianti Wine and Tuscan Specialities

Wine tastings in Castelvecchi pair organic Chianti Classico wines, produced exclusively for guests of the borgo, with a Tuscan platter of cured meats and cheeses that can be adapted to taste. The products of Fattoria Castelvecchi also form part of this local focus: the production of wine, extra virgin olive oil and grappa can be traced back there over centuries.

Cycling Tours with Different Highlights

Several cycling tours with significantly different distances are available for exploring the Chianti landscape. “Il giro delle pievi” starts and ends in Castelvecchi, passes through Volpaia and the Pieve di Santa Maria Novella, is around 30 kilometres long and runs mostly along unpaved white roads. “Il classico raddese” also starts and ends in Castelvecchi and passes through Radda in Chianti, Panzano in Chianti and Greve in Chianti; the route is around 65 kilometres long.

“Le strade bianche di L’Eroica” is more demanding. This cycling tour starts and ends in Castelvecchi, passes through Gaiole in Chianti, Brolio and Castelnuovo Berardenga, is around 80 kilometres long and partly follows the L’Eroica route. “L’anello delle cantine” is a medium-length option: it starts in Castelvecchi, passes through Monterinaldi, San Sano and Ama before returning to Castelvecchi, covers around 40 kilometres and combines cycling with the discovery of Chianti Classico wineries. The different lengths and routes help you adapt your day planning to your preferred focus.

Planning Your Stay

Castelvecchi is located around 3 kilometres from Radda in Chianti. A large car park is available near the Pieve. When choosing a hotel in Castelvecchi, the cycling routes, historic cellars, vineyards and connection to Radda in Chianti can serve as important points of reference for planning your own trip.

Further destinations for your trip planning: Castello Di Volpaia, Lucarelli.

To the main travel overview: Radda / Chianti.