Vineyards at the producer estate

Il Palazzo

A versatile estate whose broad portfolio pairs deeply with Tuscan cuisine

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Founded

1946

Farming

Sustainable

Altitude

350m

Hectares

42

Estate story

Historic Tuscan Estate Near Beautiful Arezzo

Il Palazzo is a historic Tuscan estate located in the hills northeast of Arezzo, where vineyards, olive groves, grains, and medieval architecture form a landscape deeply connected to rural tradition. Its origins are linked to the Etruscans, while its name comes from the Romans, who used the site as a military station along the ancient Via del Sale between Rimini and Rome. Today, the estate is a working farm, winery, and agritourism property, producing Chianti DOCG, Toscana IGT wines, Vermentino, and olive oil. The wines offer an Arezzo perspective on Tuscany: balanced, structured, and rooted in place, with Sangiovese at the center.

Map of Arezzo in Tuscany, central Italy

Why this place matters

Chianti Through the Lens of Arezzo

Chianti is one of Tuscany’s defining wine traditions, with Sangiovese at its core and a style shaped by red fruit, floral lift, lively acidity, and firm but balanced tannins. In the hills around Arezzo, east of Tuscany’s more famous central wine zones, the landscape offers a distinct expression of the region: warm days, cooler nights, olive groves, historic farms, and gently rolling vineyard sites. Wines from this area tend to combine ripeness and structure with freshness and accessibility, making them especially versatile at the table. For Il Palazzo, Chianti and Toscana IGT wines become a way to express both classic Tuscan identity and the quieter, more independent character of Arezzo.

Soil

Clay-limestone and varied hillside soils of eastern Tuscany

Exposure

Sunlit hillside vineyards northeast of Arezzo, moderated by cooler, evening air

Grapes

Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Alicante, Trebbiano, Vermentino

Cellar

A harmony of stone, wood, steel, and modern technology, where careful aging preserves balance and Tuscan character.

Estate details

Historic Tuscan Roots, Modern Arezzo Expression

Set among the hills northeast of Arezzo, Il Palazzo brings together centuries of Tuscan history, sustainable farming, and a modern cellar

Portrait of the producer
Producer portrait

Family & estate

Three Generations of Tuscan Winemaking

The Banelli family purchased Il Palazzo in the 1950s, reviving a property rich in history and agricultural memory. Since 1971, the family has cultivated the estate with passion and perseverance, developing it into a 42-hectare farm with vineyards and 6,000 olive trees. Il Palazzo remains closely tied to the rhythms of rural life, combining wine production with hospitality, olive oil, and traditional Tuscan food culture. Its philosophy rests on preserving local agricultural identity while using modern tools to improve quality and sustainability.

Cellar at the estate
Cellar

Cellar philosophy

Tuscan Character in the Cellar

The cellar is self-described as the beating heart of Il Palazzo, a place where earth, stone, wood, and steel meet modern oenological technology. Vinification, conservation, and aging are guided by precision, but the estate also emphasizes skilled manual work and a meticulous, craft-based approach. Stainless steel helps preserve freshness and clarity in wines such as Vermentino, while oak aging supports depth, spice, and structure in its Sangiovese and other reds. The goal is not excess or heaviness, but clean fruit, balance, and a clear Tuscan identity.

Sangiovese grapes at Il Palazzo, Arezzo, Tuscany
Sangiovese vines at Il Palazzo

Farming & philosophy

Sustainability and Local Tradition

Il Palazzo’s vineyards lie in the hills northeast of Arezzo, in eastern Tuscany, where warm days and cooler nights help produce wines with ripe fruit, freshness, and structure. Vineyard cultivation at the estate dates back to the early 1970s, with production focused on Chianti DOCG and Toscana IGT wines. Sangiovese is the foundation of the estate’s red wines, appearing in classic Chianti, Chianti Riserva, and more ambitious Toscana IGT bottlings. The estate also works with Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Vermentino, allowing the range to move from traditional Tuscan expressions to more contemporary styles.

Sustainability is central to Il Palazzo’s work in both the vineyard and cellar. The estate collects rainwater in a lake for irrigation, reducing reliance on groundwater, and limits detergent use in the winery by cleaning tanks with high-pressure hot water. The vineyards themselves carry local history through names such as Poggio Gallo, Maspino, and Stella, each connected to stories, legends, or archaeological traces from the surrounding area.

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