The history of Castello di Ama starts in the 1970s. A number of families bought a hamlet with historic vineyards, with the aim of restoring it. Lorenza Sebasti Pallanti, one of the founders, is the current owner and together with her husband and winemaker Marco Pallanti she has made Castello di Ama one of the most prestigious wine estates in Italy. In 2003 Marco was named Winemaker of the Year by Guida Vini d'Italia of Gambero Rosso. His wines are among the most sought after in the region and adorn wine lists of the best restaurants in the world. The flagship is the classic Chianti Classico San Lorenzo, but Castello di Ama is arguably more famous for its Super Tuscan L'Apparita, the first 100% merlot wine from Tuscany. The olive groves of Castello di Ama are located on slopes between 450 and 500 meters altitude: the part where the vines do not thrive optimally, but the olive trees all the better.
