In 1817, Grand Duke Leopold of Tuscany commissioned an updated land survey (cadaster) of the Maremma, the coastal area of southwestern Tuscany with its center at Grosseto on the Mediterranean and stretching into the wild forests and backwaters of the interior. Known as the Leopoldin Cadastre, it already showed vast vineyards planted on the property owned today by the family of Pepi Lignana, known as Fattoria Il Casalone. The Lignana family has been in possession of the property and tending its vines since 1960. The estate consists of about 300 hectares. Today, 14 hectares on the farm are dedicated to high-quality wine production, of which six hectares are planted to white grapes. The proximity to the sea and the presence of hills protecting the northeastern side of the territory ensures mild winter temperatures and dry summers tempered by sea breezes. In advance of harvest, nights are cool and the significant temperature divergence guarantees optimum conditions for the enrichment of the grapes, particularly of aromatic substances.
The red-grape vineyards are located on higher ground that slopes down towards the sea. The soil is made up of silt and sand, with a clay loam rich in fossils, good depth and excellent drainage. It is particularly suited to grow the Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot clones, planted to obtain soft, fragranced wines with good structure. The soil of the vineyards nearest to the sea is made up of sand and gravel which imparts greater fragrance to the wine. Rich in magnesium this soil is perfect for growing Vermentino and Viognier wines. A limited number of buds per plant, high-density planting and limited fertilization leads to perfect balance between leaves and fruit, thus producing a higher concentration and intensity of fragrances, polyphenols and sugars. Thanks to agronomists Curtaz Federico and Stefano Bartolomei and famed enologist Paolo Caciorgna, the utmost care is taken in every aspect from farming to winemaking. They apply disciplinary integrated farming where possible, to reduce the amount of chemicals used. In order to preserve the native breed of Maremma cattle, they keep a herd of 40 animals, which, under the periodic health checks and the management of our butteri (the local word for cowboys), live in the wild on 300 hectares of pasture and forest. Of course, they contribute greatly to the fertilizers used on the estate.