THE HISTORY
Dated back to 1150-1170, the castle of the Knights of Malta placed in Magione at the beginning was a shelter for pilgrims going to Rome or to the Holy city of Jerusalem and crossing the nearby Francigena road to Santiago de Compostela. The original building was only composed of two sides (L shaped) including the bell tower and the Chapel in honour of St. John the Baptist. Anyway for security, privacy and isolating reasons, the hospital became sooner a castle. To the original "L"-shaped plant, two solid surrounding walls were built together with two angled towers. The present structure is the result of several changes during the centuries. Two were the main extensions: one in 1367 when an additional floor was added so that the modern squared plant was created, and the other in 1471 when the hospital turns out in the castle thanks to the building of a round-angled tower, several battlements and internal court rounded by three lines of overlapped arches. After, in 1644, next to the opposite entrance side, a stoned-well was built as a result of an ancient tank. In the most ancient side of the construction there is a small Romanesque-styled church with a rounded-vault honouring St. John the Baptist and preserving inside two precious frescos. The frescos, dating back to Pinturicchio's school of XVI century, represent respectively at entrance left the Holy Birth and at the right a portrait with the Virgin with the Infant Jesus and St. John the Baptist, patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta at the centre and St. Jacob, patron and protector of all pilgrims. The frescos are said to be commissioned by the Cardinal John Baptist Orsini commendatory of Magione castle in 1502. The castle was siege of several popes, sovereigns and famous people that during the centuries passing through the important road between Peruse and the Tuscany. Moreover in 1502, the castle was seat of a conspiracy organized by some Italian noblemen against Cesare Borgia, the famous history " dieta alla Magione nel Perugino" said by Machiavelli in "The Prince".
Today the castle, headquarter of the namesake farm, is the summer residence of the Prince and Grand Master of Sovereign Military Order of Malta who loves spending here the month of September.

THE ORDER
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta, owner of the castle, was founded about nine centuries ago in Jerusalem with the aim of protecting the Holy Land. Some merchants coming form the old maritime republic of Amalfi, obtained the permission to build in Jerusalem a church, a monastero and a hospital where to take care of the pilgrims of all faiths or races. On 15th February 1113 the Pope Paschal II issued a Bull approving the officially establishment of the Hospital under the jurisdiction of the Church authority, granting to its members the possibility to appoint its own chiefs, without any interference from the other religious authorities. The monastic community, dedicated to the hospital management for assisting the pilgrims in the holy Land called "Order of St. John of Jerusalem", is one of the most ancient Institutions of the western and Christian civilisation.
The Crusaders foundation of the Reign of Jerusalem, obliged the Order to grant the military defence of ill persons, of all pilgrims and of the territories conquered to the Muslims; thus for all these prerogatives the Order became a religious, laic, military, noble and knightly organisation. Among its 10.000 members, some professed the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, some others only the vows of obedience. Most of the Knights and Dames of the Order are devoted to the exercise of Christian virtues and charity with their commitment in assistance, sanitary and social structure. Afterwards, the Order adopted the white eight pointed Cross as their emblem: a symbol of the eight Beatitudes and their spirituality and which is still a St. John symbol. The order preserves the prerogatives of an independent Organisation claiming for the International Public Right with Sovereign qualities and has its own jurisdiction, releases passports, issues stamps and currency and appoints public order with their own juridical personality.
From 1988 Grand Master Fra' Andrew Bertie has been elected for life 78° chief of the Order.
Today, with its headquarters in Rome, the Order carries out its activities in 110 countries and succeeds in engaging lots of volunteers all over the world for humanitarian assistance and social activities. The Order has diplomatic relations with 92 countries - many of which non-Catholic - and missions to major European countries, as well as to European organisations and permanent Observer at the UN assembly. The Order of Malta is neutral, impartial and non-political, which is why it can successfully act as a mediator between States
Today the UN flag flies on specialised hospitals, first aid centres assisting children, women, old, ill and handicapped people.
The management of all Order's farms aims at these principles.

THE CELLAR
Placed in the restored ancient rooms of the castle, the cellar is a beautiful example of tradition and innovation.
The big thermo-conditioned stainless steel basins surrounded by the medieval walls and the vaults dating back to the XV century, the air-conditioning system for the constant humidity control, together with experience of our technicians, lead to high quality products. One side of the cellar is dedicated to high superior quality red wines preserved in barriques. A place where time passes slowly, where silent, wood perfume and half-light are all elements of fantastic and magic portrait. We are pleased to invite you tasting our wines and living the magic atmosphere of our castle.

THE VINEYARDS
Magione Castle farm covers an area of 1325 hectares. The vineyards are placed in the DOC district of "Trasimeno hills", with an area of 30 hectares and thanks to an adequate sun exposition the grapes ripe correctly. The vineyards, aiming at a high quality product, are planted in smaller vine cutting and whose number is not more than 5000 for hectare. Two thirds of the vineyards are dedicated to red grapes (Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Gamay, Sangiovese, and Pinot black) and the white ones are mostly represented by the local Grechetto. Among the cropping techniques, we mostly prefer the constant soil working, the reduction of chemical fertilizers usage and graft techniques. In order to have a high quality product, the grapes are thinned out.

THE OLIVE TREES
Placed inside the DOP district, "Controlled Designation of Origin" Umbria, Trasimeno hills, the olive trees of Magione Castle cover an area of 24 hectares with a good sun exposition and reach an altitude of 500m (sea level). The agricultural processes aim at reducing the chemical fertilisers usage and at the introduction of machinery. The trees are traditionally grown. The olives, Frantoio Moraiolo, Leccino, Dolce Agocia kind, are harvested by-hand. Afterward they are submitted to the cold extraction through the dripping. Thank to this method it is possible to exalt the aroma and the typical flavour of these olives variety. This is the method to have an extra-virgin olive with excellent characteristics with an acidity levels 0,2-0,3 gr/100gr; number of peroxides about 7; etc.. Thus it is right the special selection of the best oils controlled and certified by 3A - food and beverage technological park- assuring the origin and quality of the product.