Castello di Ama Collection

The Rebirth of an 18th-Century Hamlet

Perched in the breathtaking, high-altitude hills of Gaiole in Chianti, Castello di Ama is not merely a winery; it is a meticulously preserved 18th-century agricultural borgo (hamlet) that has fundamentally rewritten the destiny of Tuscan winemaking. Founded in the 1970s by a group of Roman families, the estate was revitalized to restore the region’s historical splendor. The turning point arrived in 1982 with the appointment of master agronomist and oenologistMarco Pallanti, who alongside CEOLorenza Sebasti, established Ama as one of the elite fine wine benchmark houses of Italy.

Beyond the cellar, the estate is world-renowned for its visionary integration of contemporary art. Each year, globally acclaimed artists are commissioned to build site-specific installations across the estate's historic cellars and pathways, mirroring the family's philosophy: great wine, like great art, must be an irreplaceable, emotional expression of its place of origin.

High-Altitude Terroir & The Cru Revolution

The vineyards of Castello di Ama span approximately 75 hectares, uniquely positioned on a rounded hilltop ranging between 420 and 527 meters above sea level. This exceptional elevation is vital: it guarantees dramatic diurnal temperature shifts (warm, sun-drenched days and cool alpine nights) that allow Sangiovese to retain a precise, vibrant natural acidity while slowly developing rich, complex phenolic ripeness.

The soils are a classic Tuscan mosaic dominated by Galestro (crumbly schistous clay) and limestone pebbles. This gravelly, poor soil forces the vines to dig deep, imbuing the wines with structural power, fine-grained tannins, and a signature chalky, savory mineral finish. Long before it became a standard regional practice, Marco Pallanti pioneered the strict concept ofCru (single-vineyard zoning) in Chianti Classico, isolating unique micro-terroirs to showcase the multi-faceted personality of the estate.

The Sovereign Portfolio: Chianti Masterworks & Legendary Merlot

Our curated collection showcases the sheer breadth and critical precision of Castello di Ama's world-class offerings:

• Ama Chianti Classico: The perfect introduction to the house style. Sourced primarily from younger estate vines, it is polished, energetic, and bursting with crunchy red cherry, wild thyme, and vibrant freshness.

• San Lorenzo Gran Selezione: The estate’s highly decorated flagship Grand Vin, crafted from the finest parcels across four historic estate vineyards. It delivers a symphonic, silky texture bound by deep black fruits, tobacco leaf, and refined, age-worthy tannins.

• The Legendary Single-Vineyard Crus (Bellavista & La Casuccia): Produced exclusively in exceptional vintages and elevated to Gran Selezione status. Vigneto Bellavista (first produced in 1978) is intensely elegant, structured, and mineral-driven. Vigneto La Casuccia provides a plush, deep, and remarkably velvety companion of staggering power and complexity.

• L’Apparita Toscana IGT: An absolute titan of Italian viticulture. Released in 1985 asTuscany’s first 100% pure Merlot, grown at the top of the Bellavista vineyard, it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the greatest right-bank Bordeaux legends. It is a masterpiece of dark plums, black truffles, and impossibly silky, multi-layered tannins.

• Haiku Toscana IGT: A gorgeous, poetic blend that effortlessly weaves estate Sangiovese together with Cabernet Franc and Merlot to create a fluid, sleek, and highly sophisticated modern classic.

Epicurean Food Pairings

The aristocratic structure, high natural acidity, and deep savory undercurrents of Castello di Ama make them magnificent stars at the dinner table. Pairs flawlessly with:

• The Chianti Classicos: Traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina (thick-cut porterhouse grilled over wood coals), slow-braised wild boar ragù over pappardelle, or herb-roasted rack of lamb.

• L’Apparita and the Elite Crus: Pancetta-wrapped veal cutlets, rich duck breast with a cherry reduction, or artisanal wood-fired porcini mushroom risottos.

Shop Castello di Ama at ZYN

Explore the artistic and viticultural heights of our Castello di Ama collection in-store at ZYN Calgary or buy online at ZYN.ca. Every bottle is sourced with immaculate provenance and held in our temperature-controlled cellars, ensuring these high-altitude Tuscan masterpieces arrive at your table in flawless condition.