written by Savannah McManus
Everyone has messy family dynamics: an estranged uncle, a crazy mother-in-law, or maybe just an annoying brother. However intense you think your family lore is, nothing compares to the families of the Medici and Pazzi. The Medici family was the most powerful family in Florence during the fifteenth century because of their extremely successful banking empire which led to huge political influence. The two heads of the family were brothers, Lorenzo and Giuliano. Lorenzo was the brains of the operation, he was a strong diplomatic and supporter of the arts. Whereas Lorenzo was the bronze. He was said to be very charming, athletic, and attractive (opposed to his “homely” brother) and together they made the perfect duo.
The Pazzi were another banking family in Florence but was much less successful, so the families were naturally rivals. In hopes to ease some tension between the two, a marriage agreement was formed. The sister of the brothers, Bianca de’ Medici married Guglielmo de’ Pazzi, who was the nephew of Jacopo, the head of the family. However, the Pazzi still grew tired of the Medici supremacy and enlisted support from Pope Sisto IV who also expressed an interest in a change of government in Florence.
It was in the Pazzi estate, Castello del Trebbio, that the conspiracy to kill the Medici brothers was formulated. The attack took place on Sunday April 26th, 1478 at Mass during the ceremony of the consecrated Host. Giuliano was killed while Lorenzo escaped with only superfical wounds. After the attack there was bolstered public support for the Medici family and the Pazzi were all either killed or run out of town, like Guglielmo who was spared because he was “family”.
This dramatic history is what the present day winery, Castello del Trebbio, is referring to when they titled their white wine, Congiura–conspiracy. This wine is made up of 3 grape varietals: fifty percent of Pinot Grigio, forty percent of Riesling, and ten percent of Manzoni Bianco. The wine is made by taking half of the must–grape juice cleared of any solids like skins, seeds, or pulp–and fermenting and aging in stainless steel tanks to keep the wine fresh, fruity, and crisp. Whereas the other half is done in oak barrels, also called tonneaux, to add subtle oak flavor, texture, and smoothness. Then three months prior to selling a blend of the two parts rests in the bottle, creating a balanced profile.
The wine has a strong minerality to it and keeps the crisp texture making it a more forceful white with floral and fruity undertones. There are subtle notes of apple, plum, peach and acacia flowers. This wine would be best paired with a spread of fresh cheese that’s sharpness matches the wines powerful profile. Or it works well accompanied with well seasoned white meat or pasta dishes with shellfish.
The Castello del Trebbio was passed through several owners until it was eventually abandoned for a few years due to the labor needed to maintain the property and the desire to move to the city and abandon rural life. It was in 1968 that the Baj Macario family purchased the property and transformed it into their flourishing winery and agritourism company. They managed great success and formed the group company, Famiglia Casadei whihc encompasses this winery as well as the estates Casadei and Olianas.
Purchasing the Castle that was so important to Florentine history grants the winery an unique marketing opportunity. The Baj Macario family is able to employ storytelling strategies to draw in tourists. Naming the wine after one of the most influential events of the city adds a certain appeal to the product and grants consumers the ability to get more personal to the saga. How does it feel to drink something that failed to kill Lorenzo the Magnificant?
So be thankful that your family dynamics aren’t as messy as Pazzi and Medici. I encourage you to stop by Ganzo and enjoy a piece of this “Conspiray” and maybe come up with a more successful plan to ease your personal family tension that doesn’t involve bloodshed…