History

The Tuscan winemaking tradition was formed over 3,000 years ago when the Etruscans cultivated vines and made wine. During the Middle Ages, battles raged between Siena and Florence for control of this fruitful land. This led to the construction of the region's many castles or Castelli. As part of the fortification, the "cavaliere" knight on horseback, as depicted on our labels, protected the owner from the threat of invasion.

Construction of the Castello began in 1124 and included a wine cellar intended for the production and conservation of wine. The existence of the wine cellar is proof that wine was being made at the estate from the beginning of its history. The estate's original owners, the Bardis, were one of the wealthiest Florentine banking families. In the late 1200's, the family expanded the fortress, building walls on either side of the original tower. The new walls were crenellated (notched along the top of the wall) in the Guelph architectural style of that time. In 1408, the Bardis sold Castello di Gabbiano to the Soderini family, another powerful Florentine family - politically very prominent and influential.  In 1505, the Soderinis added the round towers to the Castello's four corners. The round towers are an example of the influence of French architectural style. It was during the Soderini era that the castle was transformed into a structure very similar to the one that stands today. In 1506, when the township of Bolgna urged the rulers (seigniory) of Florence to send Michelangelo to Bologna, it was Castello di Gabbiano’s Pier Soderini who wrote a letter of introduction for Michelangelo. It said:

“The bearer of this letter is the sculptor Michelangelo. We place him at your disposal to serve His Holiness, Our lord. We bear witness that he is a very talented young man and second to none as regards to art in Italy and maybe in the whole world. It is not possible for us to recommend him warmly enough; he is so good natured that, with gentleness and friendship, you can obtain all you want from him. You must treat him lovingly and kindly and he will make things that will amaze everyone who will see them.”

Soderini Family History

The Soderini family, residents of Castello di Gabbiano in the 15th and 16th centuries, was a formidable political influence in Florence from the 1340's until 1512. In 1465 Niccolò Soderini opposed Cosimo de' Medici and joined other Florentines in a failed attempt to exile the Medicis from Florence. His brother, Tommaso Soderini was elected Gonfaloniere (governing magistrate) five times in the 15th century. His son Piero Soderini was elected Gonfaloniere for life but actually served 10 years during which time Florence enjoyed great prosperity. His brother Francesco was made cardinal under Pope Julius II. During that time another brother was the Florentine Ambassador to the French court of Louis XII.