Wild-berry, underbrush and blue-flower aromas waft out of the glass along with a whiff of mint. Made with 92% Sangiovese and 8% Merlot, the bright easy-drinking palate offers crushed cherry, dried herb and a white-pepper note set against lithe tannins. Producer Information Castello di Farnetella is located in Sinalunga, in Siena province, and within the Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG. It was purchased in 1981 by the Poggiali family, who also own the Fèlsina wine estate in Castelnuovo Berardenga. Castello di Farnetella lies in a very distinctive climate niche, southeast of the Chianti Classico DOCG zone and north of Montalcino, bordering on the growing area for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG. The revival of Farnetella began when Giuseppe Mazzocolin (whose wife is a Poggiali) and Franco Bernabei (the duo responsible for the wines of Fèlsina Berardenga) took control and began bottling the wines. Going back to its very beginnings in the 5th and 6th centuries AD, Farnetella was located in an elevated location, known as Castelvecchio, above the current village, where an ancient castle also rose. In the Late Middle Ages, the Conti della Berardenga, a noble family with origins in France, held sway. They exhibited more interest than did the Lombards in ensuring open communication links with Rome, and perhaps inspired establishment of the Via Francigena. During the most intense historical vicissitudes of the Republic of Siena (1200-1500), the unique position of Farnetella, on the boundary of the territory it administered, contributed to not a few problems for its inhabitants, who often extended, or more probably were forced to extend, sanctuary to exiles of the opposing political side.
