Italy · Tuscany

Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi)

Castelgiocondo is the Frescobaldi family's principal Brunello di Montalcino estate, covering approximately 270 hectares (roughly 100 under vine) in the western Montalcino zone near the town of Montalcino itself. The Frescobaldi family, one of Tuscany's oldest wine dynasties, acquired Castelgiocondo in the 1990s and significantly upgraded the cellar. The Brunello di Montalcino is produced from Sangiovese Grosso aged in large Slavonian casks, typical for the appellation. At auction, the standard Brunello is the most-traded wine (151 lots, $90, 2001 peak), while the Ripe al Convento Riserva—a single-vineyard selection—averages $114 across 21 lots (2001 peak). The 2001 vintage marks the estate's auction high point. Total activity: 344 lots at $93 average. As one of the larger Brunello producers, Castelgiocondo provides consistent auction supply at mid-tier prices, with the Riserva representing the prestige tier. Prices reach $1,554 for the rarest releases.