Castello di Magione
Wines of the Knights of Malta, in the heart of Umbria
In Magione, near Lake Trasimeno, Castello di Magione — the ancient abbey of the Knights of Malta — grows its vineyards on the Umbrian hills: from here come the Colli del Trasimeno DOC and Umbria IGT wines, whites and reds that carry centuries of history in the glass.
The Umbrian face of Terre dei Cavalieri: a history that binds an ancient castle of the Order to the winemaking tradition of Lake Trasimeno.
Our wines
Six labels born around the castle, on the hills of Lake Trasimeno: three whites and three reds in Colli del Trasimeno DOC and Umbria IGT.
Whites
Reds
Beneath the castle vaults
In the cellars of Castello di Magione, among ancient walls and brick vaults, the wines rest in cask and barrique. It is here, in the heart of the Knights’ stronghold, that Morcinaia and the other reds find balance and depth before reaching the glass.
From vineyard to glass
The vineyards stretch over the hills around Magione, between 250 and 350 metres above sea level, near Lake Trasimeno. Here, in Colli del Trasimeno DOC and Umbria IGT, grow the Grechetto, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir and the other grapes that give life to our labels.
Castello di Magione, a commandery of the Knights
Recorded since 1171 as a hospitium of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem along the road to Rome and the Holy Land, the complex grew over time into a true square-plan castle. To this day it belongs to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, for whom it was long the summer residence of the Grand Master: one of its historic commanderies in Italy.
Eight centuries of Knights
The Knights' hospitium
The earliest documents record at Magione a hospital house of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem: a hospitium on the Via Romea, a shelter for pilgrims heading to Rome and the Holy Land.
From hospital to castle
The complex is enlarged to a square plan, with a central courtyard and corner towers. In the 15th century, with the round tower and battlements, it takes on the look of a true fortified castle of the Knights of Malta.
The Diet of La Magione
The castle hosts the famous conspiracy of Magione against Cesare Borgia, recalled by Machiavelli in The Prince: the lords and captains of central Italy gather here to oppose the Valentino.
In the Terre dei Cavalieri
Summer residence of the Grand Master in the 20th century, the castle is today the Umbrian face of Terre dei Cavalieri: from its vineyards come the Colli del Trasimeno and Umbria IGT wines. The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is today a subject of international law, with diplomatic relations with more than 100 States.
The frescoes of Saint John the Baptist
The castle chapel, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, holds 16th-century frescoes from the school of Pinturicchio: a treasure of art at the heart of the Knights’ residence, a witness to centuries of devotion and history.
The castle in pictures
Part of Terre dei Cavalieri
Castello di Magione is one of the historic estates of Terre dei Cavalieri: discover the Order's entire agricultural heritage and its products.