Tenuta di Carleone

From tea plantations in Sri Lanka to Tre Bicchieri in Tuscany

The story sounds fictitious: An Englishman from a family of tea planters who studies in Geisenheim, works as a cellar master at Schlossgut Diel - and then becomes the most celebrated Sangiovese interpreter of his generation. But Sean O'Callaghan, born with a blind right eye (hence his nickname „Il Guercio“), took exactly this path. About He shaped the legendary Riecine winery for 20 years, before founding Tenuta di Carleone together with Austrian entrepreneur Karl Egger in 2012 - on an estate that was first documented as Castiglioni in 1078.

Montane coolness at 700 metres

The approx. 30 hectares of vineyards of the Tenuta di Carleone are located between Radda and Gaiole, in the historic centre of the Chianti Classico region. What makes this location so special: the altitude of up to 700 metres creates almost alpine conditions. A breath of fresh air The wind constantly sweeps over the rows of vines, the nights are cool and the temperature differences between day and night are enormous. The result: Sangiovese with vibrant acidity and crystalline precision. The Limestone and clay soils give the wines additional mineral depth - a combination reminiscent of the best sites in Burgundy. Some of the Sangiovese vines are over 60 years old and bring their history to every drop.

Concrete instead of barrique

In the cellar at Tenuta di Carleone, O'Callaghan consistently goes his own way. Where others rely on new barriques, he prefers Concrete tanks and large, used wooden barrels. The reason: he wants the Sangiovese to taste like Sangiovese - not like toast and vanilla. Fermentation is carried out with natural yeasts and there is no filtering or fining. For wines like the Il Randagio he uses whole bunch maceration for up to four months - a process that creates structure and complexity without sacrificing the characteristic freshness. Even with Corzano e Paterno, another traditional Tuscan estate south of Florence, has a similarly respectful approach to the terroir - there are even sheep grazing among the vines.

The wines: from Pianvecchio to Tre-Bicchieri-Chianti

The portfolio spans a wide range. The Pianvecchio - an unusual cuvée from Vermentino and Riesling - shows O'Callaghan's German roots and surprises with its floral fragrance and citrus-fresh juiciness. The eponymous Il Guercio is pure, concentrated Sangiovese: dark, dense, with notes of black cherry and figs, carried by ripe acidity and velvety tannins. The Chianti Classico, now awarded the coveted Tre Bicchieri by Gambero Rosso, epitomises the essence of Radda: brilliant energy, crisp fruit and that unmistakable tension that can only come from this altitude. Antonio Galloni from Vinous sums it up: „Sean O'Callaghan makes some of the most distinctive wines in all of Chianti Classico.“