Castello di Ama - for contemporary art and fine wine

This was the wine estate that entranced the Obamas on their post-presidential tour of Tuscany. Just when you think you’ve got the measure of Tuscany, it throws a curve-ball. Castello di Ama is one of the biggest surprises in the Chianti. It’s not even a castle but a wine estate, restaurant and centre of contemporary art. At first sight it’s yet another traditional borgo, a stone-built hamlet nestling in the Chianti hills. At its core is an acclaimed wine estate, home to one of the leading Chianti Classico producers, with serried lines of vineyards as far as the eye can see. This family-owned cantina remains a working wine estate known for its superb, full-bodied reds. You can tour the cellars and try the fabled wines but also visit the villa, hamlet and sculpture gardens, too. It’s a complete experience.

The grounds are home to a world-class collection of contemporary art installations. This ambitious collection, Castello di Ama per l’Arte Contemporanea (Castello di Ama for Contemporary Art) was set up as a legacy project in 1999. Lorenza and Marco Pallanti have created a sculpture garden of site specific installations in keeping with the spirit of the wine estate and medieval borgo beyond.
Castello di Ama repurposes original buildings, such as an on-site church and wine cellar, to showcase art installations in a striking way. The most engaging is the show-stopping mirrored installation by Daniel Buren that reflects the rolling hills.

Book a wine tour and tasting, come for lunch, visit the sculpture park, or simply visit the estate’s Enoteca to sample and buy the wines, olive oil and nature-inspired home fragrances.

T: (+39) 0577 746069 (wine estate) (+39) 0577 746191 (restaurant)
Address: Castello di Ama
Localita Ama
53013
Gaiole in Chianti
Web: www.castellodiama.com