That continuity lies at the heart of Casagrande della Quercia, a family-run estate located among the rolling hills of Siena, within one of Italy's most celebrated wine-producing landscapes. The winery represents a meeting point between tradition and innovation, where a deep respect for the heritage of Chianti Classico exists alongside a willingness to explore new possibilities offered by the land.

Today, the estate is led by Lucrezia Calagna, whose family has continued the work of cultivating vineyards and producing wines that reflect both the character of the territory and the individuality of the estate itself.

The foundation of Casagrande della Quercia's identity begins with Sangiovese, the grape variety that has defined much of Tuscany's winemaking reputation for centuries. According to the winery, one of its central objectives is to promote and enhance the use of Sangiovese while preserving the typicity and unique characteristics of the Chianti Classico territory.

Image: Casagrande della Quercia Vineyard and Sangiovese. Source: Casagrande della Quercia

This commitment is reflected throughout the estate's wines and vineyard philosophy. Sangiovese remains the principal reference point, providing a direct connection between the winery and the historic traditions of central Tuscany.

Yet Casagrande della Quercia is not solely focused on preserving the past.

Following a detailed analysis of the estate's soils and growing conditions, the winery identified a specific parcel that showed potential for varieties beyond those traditionally associated with the region. As a result, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot were planted, leading to the creation of Vis et Amor Toscana IGT Rosso 2016, which has become one of the estate's flagship wines.

The decision reflects a broader philosophy that values careful observation of the vineyard. Rather than following convention for its own sake, the estate appears committed to understanding what individual sites can express and adapting accordingly.

This balance between tradition and innovation is increasingly important in modern Tuscany. While the region remains inseparable from Sangiovese, many producers have explored the potential of international varieties where specific vineyard conditions justify their inclusion. At Casagrande della Quercia, that exploration emerged not from fashion, but from an assessment of the estate's unique pedoclimatic characteristics.

The landscape surrounding the winery plays an essential role in shaping the wines. Located among the hills of Siena, the estate benefits from a setting long recognised for producing wines of character and longevity. Tuscany's combination of elevation, sunlight, seasonal variation, and complex soils has helped establish the region as one of the world's most important wine-producing areas.

Within this environment, Sangiovese develops the qualities that have made it synonymous with the region: vibrant acidity, structure, aromatic complexity, and an ability to communicate the nuances of place. The estate's work with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot adds an additional dimension, allowing certain vineyard parcels to express themselves through a different lens while remaining firmly connected to their Tuscan origins.

The quality of the winery's work has received international recognition.

At the 2026 London Wine Competition, Casagrande della Quercia's 2020 vintage wine, produced by Azienda Agricola Casagrande di Lucrezia Calagna, was awarded a Silver Medal with 89 points. Judges described the wine as displaying rich and concentrated red and dark fruit characteristics supported by spicy oak, medium tannins, lively acidity, and a long savoury finish.

Such recognition is particularly meaningful because the London Wine Competition evaluates wines not only for quality but also for value and consumer appeal, providing a broader assessment of a wine's performance in the marketplace.

What emerges from Casagrande della Quercia is a story that mirrors the evolution of contemporary Tuscany itself. The estate remains deeply committed to Sangiovese and the traditions of Chianti Classico, yet it also demonstrates a willingness to innovate when careful study of the vineyard suggests new opportunities.

That balance is increasingly difficult to achieve. Tradition without evolution can become static. Innovation without respect for place can lose authenticity. Casagrande della Quercia occupies a thoughtful middle ground, drawing strength from the heritage of the Sienese hills while continuing to explore the possibilities offered by its land.

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In doing so, the winery contributes to a larger story unfolding across Tuscany today. It is a story of producers who recognise that great wines are not created by choosing between tradition and innovation, but by allowing the two to work together in service of the vineyard.

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