Castiglione

The Castiglione grape is a rare native variety of Calabria, cultivated almost exclusively in the southern Italian provinces of Cosenza and Reggio Calabria. Unlike more widespread Italian grapes, Castiglione remains little known outside its region, making it a true hidden gem of Calabrian viticulture. Its distribution is extremely limited, and historical records about its origins are scarce, adding to the intrigue and uniqueness of this variety.

Traditionally, the Castiglione grape is used both in blends - to add depth, color, and structure to Calabrian red wines - and in single-varietal vinification, where it fully expresses its personality. The vine produces large, black, ellipsoidal berries covered with a thick, waxy, blue-black skin. Its clusters are typically medium-sized, pyramidal, elongated, and loose to medium-loose, while the leaves are medium, pentagonal, and five-lobed, characteristic of many traditional southern Italian grape varieties.

When vinified, the Castiglione grape yields a ruby-red wine of varying intensity. The bouquet is vinous, with a dry aroma, and the palate shows a slightly tannic and acidic profile, giving freshness and structure. Well-balanced and full-bodied, Castiglione wines are excellent representatives of Calabria’s winemaking tradition, offering an authentic taste of the region’s terroir.