Castello Pomino

Castello Pomino is owned by the Marchesi de' Frescobaldi, one of Italy’s oldest and most prominent wine families, with documented winemaking activity dating back over 700 years. The estate is part of the Frescobaldi group’s portfolio, overseen by Lamberto Frescobaldi, who represents the 30th generation of the family. The technical team at Pomino includes both agronomists and winemakers committed to expressing the site’s unique cool-climate character, with a focus on precision viticulture and international varietals.

Castello Pomino has a rich viticultural heritage, with official records of wine production as far back as the early 1700s. In 1855, the Frescobaldi family planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at Pomino, well ahead of their time in Italy. By the late 19th century, the wines of Pomino were already receiving international recognition, including awards at the 1878 Paris Exhibition. The modern estate continues this pioneering spirit, integrating tradition with innovation in both vineyard management and winemaking.

The estate lies in the village of Pomino, within the commune of Rufina, northeast of Florence. It belongs to the Pomino DOC, a relatively high-altitude appellation within the Chianti Rufina zone. At elevations reaching 700 metres above sea level, the vineyards benefit from a cool, mountainous climate, distinct from Tuscany's better known winemaking areas. Pomino is ideal for aromatic whites and light, elegant reds. The estate surrounds the historic 16th-century Castello Pomino.

The Pomino estate covers roughly 100 hectares of vineyards, mostly planted between 400 and 700 metres above sea level. The soils are rich in sandstone and marl, providing good drainage and mineral complexity. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the key varieties, alongside Merlot and local red grapes. Frescobaldi embraces sustainable viticulture at Pomino, emphasizing site selection and canopy management to retain acidity and aromatic clarity. The high elevation allows for extended ripening periods, giving the wines finesse and structure.

The winemaking at Pomino focuses on preserving the delicacy and aromatic precision offered by the cool climate. Chardonnay is often fermented in a mix of stainless steel and oak, with careful use of lees aging to build texture without losing freshness. Reds like Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) and blends based on Merlot undergo gentle extraction and moderate oak aging to highlight fruit purity. Innovation and tradition coexist here—Pomino was among the first Tuscan estates to use barriques and temperature-controlled fermentation.

The estate is best known for its Pomino Bianco, a Chardonnay-dominant white often blended with Pinot Bianco, praised for its elegance, minerality, and aromatic lift. Pomino Benefizio Riserva, a barrel-fermented Chardonnay from a single high-altitude vineyard, is the flagship white—first produced in 1973, it remains one of Italy’s top expressions of the grape. On the red side, Pomino Pinot Nero offers rare Tuscan finesse, while Pomino Rosso Riserva blends Sangiovese with Bordeaux varieties for a supple, structured style.

Castello Pomino is open to visitors by appointment and offers a refined wine tourism experience. Guests can tour the historic villa and cellars, walk among the high-altitude vineyards, and enjoy guided tastings of Pomino’s wines in a serene mountain setting. The estate also features culinary experiences that pair the wines with local Tuscan cuisine, reflecting the Frescobaldi family’s emphasis on hospitality and tradition. The setting is especially appealing for those seeking a quieter, forested alternative to the busier areas of Tuscany.