Monti: Roman Heritage and Wine Country

Monti combines architectural history, Roman heritage, and winemaking with opportunities for cycling and ball sports. If you’re looking for hotels in Monti, you can plan your stay around your own interests: Castello di Cacchiano represents local history and an extensive estate; the Pieve di San Marcellino and a nearby Roman villa add to the historical picture. A moderately difficult cycling loop, as well as tennis and volleyball, offer more activities. The distinctions below will help you decide which themes to focus on during your trip.

History from Roman times to the Middle Ages

The Ricasoli family built Castello di Cacchiano in the 10th century on the remains of an earlier Roman settlement. This links the site’s Roman past with the construction of the castle. Inside the Pieve di San Marcellino, six Roman columns and two capitals have been reused. A capital forms the upper end of a column. These two types of architectural elements illustrate the reuse of Roman architecture inside the church.

A Roman villa near the Pieve is considered evidence of imperial estates and of the Chianti region’s role in the economy and society of the Roman world. The Museo alle Origini del Chianti in Gaiole in Chianti displays marble from this villa. Roman connections can therefore be found in different forms: as reused architectural elements in the Pieve, as a nearby villa, and as material from that villa displayed in the museum.

Winemaking and landscape

The estate of Castello di Cacchiano covers 200 hectares of fields, woods, and olive groves; 36 hectares of this are vineyards. The vineyards lie on the high plateau of Monti in Chianti at elevations of 340 to 490 meters above sea level and face predominantly south. The figures describe different scales: 200 hectares refers to the estate as a whole, while 36 hectares refers to the vineyard area. The area is suitable for producing red wines and traditional Vin Santo.

Wine tastings are offered in the old prison at Castello di Cacchiano; reservations are required. If you’d like to include a tasting in your stay, remember that a reservation is necessary and check in advance which dates are available.

Cycling and ball sports

The “Alla scoperta dei Monti del Chianti” cycling tour is classified as a moderately difficult loop. It passes Castello di Brolio and Cacchiano before returning to Monti. Check the route details before setting out, as recommended for this tour.

At Monti’s sports area, anyone can use the tennis and volleyball court with a prior reservation and payment of the applicable usage fee. The two activities differ in how they need to be planned: for the cycling tour, it’s worth checking the route details before setting out; use of the sports court requires a reservation and a fee. This can help you decide whether a loop with a stated difficulty level or ball sports that require a reservation better suits your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Lecchi, Castagnoli, San Vincenti

Return to the main travel overview: Gaiole In Chianti.