Castello della Sala
Castello della Sala is located in Umbria, a white wine territory, where time stands still. The castello was built in 1350 by Angelo Monaldeschi della Vipera whose family arrived in Italy in the IX century following Charlemagne’s troops. The 1300’s marked the beginning of a long series of conflicts between family members in order to gain control over Orvieto. In 1437, Gentile Monaldeschi della Sala, grandson of Angelo dei Monaldeschi della Vipera, gained control of the city and reigned as dictator for over a decade. Following Gentile’s death in 1466, a peaceful period started at the castle, culminating with the reconciliatory marriage of Gentile’s son, Pietro Antonio della Vipera, and his cousin Giovanna Monaldeschi della Cervara.
The Vineyards
Castello della Sala is located in Umbria, a short distance from the Tuscan border, about 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the historic city of Orvieto. Castello della Sala, a magnificent medieval manor with 600 hectares (1,482 acres) of land 200 hectares (495 acres) of which are planted with vineyards, is located halfway between the Paglia River and the summit of Monte Nibbio.
The region is exceptional for producing white varieties with one exception, Pinot Noir, that has found ideal conditions in this terroir to best express its full potential. The vines grow in clay and calcareous based soils, rich in fossil shells, and they are well exposed to the rising of the sun with an ideal difference of temperature between day and night.
