On 31 December 1877 the Countess Cerretani sold the entire property to Francesco Ciacci, head of a Castelnuovo-based family. In the mid 1900s, the so-called “Palazzo del Vescovo” became known as the Palazzo Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona after the marriage between Count Alberto Piccolomini d'Aragona, the direct descendent of Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pope Pius II) and Elda Ciacci. In 1985, in the absence of direct successors, the property was inherited by Giuseppe Bianchini. He and his family took residence in the Palazzo, the head quarters for the agricultural estate. They uphold the heritage of the property and, with determination and pride, maintain the traditions and culture that are part and parcel of the estate. Sadly Giuseppe, a wine man, extrovert and Montalcino “character”, passed away in February 2004, leaving a huge loss and an immense series of projects for his children to accomplish. Paolo and Lucia, who already flanked him in the estate administration are now at the helm of the Tenuta Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona. In order to cherish Giuseppe's memory, the Bianchini family dedicated the estate's 1999 Riserva to him since it is thanks to his work and dedication that the estate has reached the highest levels. The Cateriniano Committee awarded him the prestigious international prize “Santa Caterina d'Oro – Città di Siena” for his life's work and demonstrated attachment to this area. The origins of the Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona estate go back to the 17th century. The oldest part of the property is the palace or Palazzo, erected by the Montalcinese Bishop, Fabivs de'Vecchis, abbot of Sant'Antimo. Fabivs qualified as a doctor “utriusque legis” before beginning his ecclesiastical career, a common path for the heirs of noble families from Siena . He soon became a Canon at the Metropolitana di Siena and in 1663, aged only 39, he was elected Bishop and assigned Montalcino. On 14 January 1664 he took up his role with the titles of Abbot of Sant'Antimo, Conte Palatino and Imperial Advisor. Fabivs was quick to start the construction project for his personal residence in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, a castle erected by the abbots of Sant'Antimo on what was already the site of an ancient ruined castle. The Palazzo is late baroque and impressive in its grandeur. It is in the heart of the village, in front of the parish church and the ancient “council house,” an area which was the site of the abbots' residence in medieval times. Fabivs adorned the garden with ancient sculptures from the abbey. Over the course of time, the Palazzo became property of the Montalcino diocese and was auctioned according to Italian law regarding ecclesiastical property. The Palazzo and its land was purchased on 16 September 1868 by the Countess Eva Bernini Cerretani. In the mid 1980s Giuseppe found himself the owner of an estate that was still based on the principles of “mezzadria,” the medieval system of share-cropping or metayage . There were only four hectares ( 9,88 acres ) of vineyards that he had convinced the ageing Piccolomini Countess to plant. Since then, in little more than a decade, the estate has been transformed into a winery. 35 hectares ( 86,49 acres ) of vineyards were planted and the Santo Stefano farm was purchased. This secondary property is in the Montecucco area, near Montenero d'Orcia, and is run organically. A new cellar has been built there, reuniting in one property the terroir of the two banks of the Orcia river, Siena and Grosseto . Paolo and Lucia's accomplishments also include the completion of the new cellar belonging to the estate at Molinello close to Castelnuovo Abate. The cellar exceeds 2.500 square metres and was conceived and designed by their father, Giuseppe. The project for the new labels was Giuseppe's brain child. He wanted to make the Ciacci Piccolomini D'Aragona brand more visible and start the marketing of the wines in the new Millennium with a new image. And although everything is going to plan, the estate is always ready to further perfect the welcome guests receive at the agriturismo and to maintain and enhance where possible the quality of its wines. Market demands are ever more exacting but the goal of the Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona estate is and will continue to be, the consolidation of its position amongst the traditional Brunellos, safeguarding the quality of the wines to offer a product that can be appreciated to the full by the final consumer.