When we last looked at the Castiglion Del Bosco Zodiac Boar, we found a very complex, yet lively wine. While we love the Tuscan wine, we are acutely aware that there are Brunellos, and there are Brunellos. The terroir of the wine certainly plays a huge part in differentiating the top wines from the merely passable.
Of course, one should not downplay the role of the winemaker in creating the wine that we love. We had a chance to get eight questions in with Cecilia Leoneschi, the 44-year-old lady behind the wines of Castiglion Del Bosco.
There are many things that go into winemaking that people often do not know about. Give us a little insight into your day-to-day routine.
I follow the production throughout its entire process, but especially the first part in the vineyard. I observe the weather conditions as well as how the vine develops in the vineyard; I constantly speak with the team of people that work in the vineyard as well as in the winery; Every day I taste the wines that we have in the winery, in order to follow their development throughout their ageing. I very often share opinions and with other people, from the both from winemaking industry and not.
What motivates you and what keeps you inspired?
I was born in Maremma, south of Tuscany, in a family where my dad was working in the wine industry. When I was a child he used to take me in the vineyard with him and that is when I started to learn about Sangiovese grape, which is the best grape variety of Tuscany. I totally fell in love with it
and I still am today. Through the years I’ve had the possibility to discover more about it and see how it express itself in the different Tuscan wine denominations.
As a winemaker in Tuscany, home to some of the most famous wines in the world, how do you keep up with your peers? What do you think differentiates the wines that you make from the others?
We produce wines that our soil enables us to make, therefore they are distinctive wines of great integrity that are more rooted in the land, more complex and more enduring.
What is your opinion on the traditions of winemaking? Do you consider yourself more traditional or do you prefer a more “modern” approach?
I consider myself a traditional, I love fine and elegant wines, that represent the vineyard where they come from.
Recently, there has been a lot of interest in natural, or biodynamic wines. What is your opinion on them?
The approach to natural viticulture at Castiglion del Bosco started with baby steps quite a few years ago and it was fully embraced in 2014. In 2016 we obtained the certification for organic vineyard management, which for us it has never been the end goal, but it is simply the best way to obtain distinctive wines of great integrity that are more rooted in the land.
How would you describe the wines of Castiglion del Bosco?
As said above, we produce wines that our soil enables us to make, therefore they are distinctive wines of great integrity that are more rooted in the land, more complex and more enduring.
How do you think the terroir influences the wines of Castiglion del Bosco?
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.
With what food would you pair your favourite Brunello?
Brunello pairs perfectly with red meat or pasta with ragout; I do not eat much meat, therefore I love to pair it with vegetables, legumes and cereals.
To find out more about the Castiglion Del Bosco Zodiac Boar, check out our review here.
