Giuseppe (Pepito) Castiglioni, an industrial entrepreneur and lifelong wine lover bought a single hectare of a vineyard on a Tuscan hillside and set about creating an estate that would now spans the breadth of the region. The name Querciabella means "Beautiful Oaks" as they are surrounded by wonderful oak trees.  Querciabella’s commitment to creating extraordinary wines, without causing harm or disrupting the delicate balance of nature, is what makes their wines as lively and beautiful as their land.

Tasting Notes

The 2017 Palafreno, 100% Merlot, from vineyards in Greve, is a wild, exotic wine that marries the natural richness of the year with the structure of this site. Blackberry, licorice, cloves and menthol all build in a resonant, super-expressive Merlot that will tempt readers with its considerable powers of seduction. The 2017 is classy and supremely elegant.

Food Pairing

Pairs well with the sweetness in caramelised root vegetables, especially roasted butternut or honey nut squash, red bell peppers, onions and red and golden beets helps bring out the vibrant red fruit in the wine. With some age, Palafreno can be paired with terrines or a mushroom-walnut pâté, polenta with grilled mushrooms and herbs, a caramelised onion tart or simple pasta with truffles.

Merlot

Italy, Tuscany