Panzano in Chianti

Castello di Panzano in Chianti
Castello di Panzano in Chianti

Panzano in Chianti is a wonderful small village, part of Greve in Chianti, but, from there you need about 10 minutes to reach it, on an uphill road. Panzano, in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine region, is famous for its weekly Sunday market, for its ancient churches, for its wineries, for its butcher’s shop.

It is in the 12th century that the “Castle of Panzano” was built… and down through the centuries Panzano was frequently embroiled with the wars between the Siena and Florence. After the fall of the Sienese Republic, the fortifications of the castle was gradually dismantled and dwellings and a village grew up around the foot of the Castle. At the turn of of the 19th century the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cielo was built on the site of a former late medieval church building, and contains a few works of art salvaged from the previous construction.

Signor Papini in his shop in Panzano in Chianti
Signor Papini in his shop in Panzano in Chianti

Every Sunday, Panzano in Chianti hosts on its square a typical Tuscan market, where you can find almost everything! In the upper part of the village stand a butcher, “Macelleria Ceccucci”, an another one in the lower part, on the other side of the square the internationally famous Dario Cecchini who entertains his clients with glasses of wine and with “crostini”! You cannot miss it: he has painted his shop (and also the post office!) in red and white stripes. If you continue that uphill street, you will find on the right the shop of Mr Papini, who sells everything for the garden!

Most importantly a year ago, the territory of Panzano in Chianti has been recognized as a “Bio District” of organic viticultural excellence. The birth of this Biodestretto, recognized under the AIAB legislation, is the crowning of the work that, from the spring of 2005, the Union of Panzano wine growers and the Experimental Station for Sustainable Viticulture (Spevis) has made to create a large area where all the vineyards are cultivated according to the bio method. And you will be able to taste those wonderful Chianti Classico wines at the Yearly event “Vino al Vino” taking place this year 14th -17th September.

Cartina Panzano in Chianti 2017
Panzano in Chianti map 2017