Castiglion del Bosco – Where world-class golf meets Tuscan wine excellence
In one of Tuscany’s most treasured wine regions, nestled among the rolling hills of Montalcino, Castiglion del Bosco offers golf enthusiasts and wine lovers alike an unforgettable escape. Not only is this historic estate home to a championship golf course, it’s also where you’ll find one of Italy’s most prestigious wineries for lovers of Brunello, pairing sport and terroir like nowhere else.
The Golf
The golf course at Castiglion del Bosco, Italy’s only private golf course, is a masterpiece of design and natural beauty. Opened in 2012 and designed by former professional Tom Weiskopf, this Tuscan masterpiece is set amidst centuries-old olive groves, with cypress-lined fairways and panoramic views of the countryside, making it a challenge and a delight for players of all levels.
Blending into the contours of the estate, the course respects and enhances the natural landscape. Each hole offers a blend of strategic challenges and visual splendour – from gently undulating greens to dramatic elevation changes that test your shot-making skills. The course’s layout encourages thoughtful play, with carefully placed bunkers, water features, and native vegetation shaping the contours and strategy of every hole.
But, the course is more than just a test of golf. Playing here means breathing in the fresh Tuscan air, hearing the distant rustle of vineyards, and enjoying uninterrupted views of Montalcino’s iconic medieval hilltop town. For any golfer, this combination of sport and scenery elevates a round into a genuine sensory experience.
The wine
While the golf course is reason enough to visit, Castiglion del Bosco’s winery is the true jewel in this crown. The estate, whose fertile soils and sun-soaked hills have hosted grapevines for millennia, where once utilised for sweet whites in the pre-Roman era, but since the mid 20th century, the Sangiovese red has been king here, namely Brunello di Montalcino.
The estate is one of the original founders of the Brunello di Montalcino consortium, a wine region famous for producing some of Italy’s finest and most coveted red wines. Its vineyards cover over 240 hectares, and the terroir here is ideal – composed of limestone and clay soils, combined with the optimal Tuscan climate – resulting in grapes with intense character and complexity.
Visitors to the winery can expect a curated experience that goes beyond simple tasting. Guided tours take you through the vineyards, where expert sommeliers explain the nuances of the terroir and vine cultivation. You then visit the cellars – vast underground caverns carved from local stone – where Brunello di Montalcino ages gracefully in oak barrels over several years.
The estate’s flagship Brunello, as well as other wines such as Rosso di Montalcino and the exquisite single-vineyard Poggio al Vento, showcase the diversity and quality of Castiglion del Bosco’s production. Each bottle tells a story of the land, the climate, and the passion behind every harvest.
Why Castiglion del Bosco?
What sets this 5,000-acre estate apart is the seamless integration of golf and wine tourism, offering bespoke experiences tailored for guests who appreciate both the game and the culture that surrounds it.
Imagine a day beginning with a sunrise round on the course, where the morning mist still clings to the vineyards and the sun slowly illuminates the cypress trees. Afterwards, you retreat to the winery for a private tasting session paired with Tuscan delicacies – local cheeses, cured meats, and freshly baked breads.
The estate’s restaurant completes the experience, serving authentic Tuscan cuisine crafted from local produce and perfectly matched to the estate’s wines. Dining here, with views over the vineyards and the golf course, offers a true taste of la dolce vita.
For those wanting to delve deeper, Castiglion del Bosco also offers wine masterclasses, blending sessions, and cellar visits that provide insight into the intricacies of wine production.
And, Castiglion del Bosco is more than a golf course and winery – not only does it retain the magic of its 12th century origins, its hotel, a Rosewood, is one of the finest in the world – in fact, the resort was named the best hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2022. With a spa, tennis courts and cookery school, the hotel provides absolute luxury within the warm embrace of Tuscany.