The Castiglione grape is an exclusive indigenous variety from Calabria, found in the provinces of Cosenza and Reggio di Calabria. Its distribution is very limited, and little is known about this grape. In the area, Castiglione is also known by the synonyms Zucchero and Cannella, or Zagarolese. The main areas of vine cultivation in southern Calabria are the hilly slopes along the entire coastline, where over the centuries artificial terraces have been created, supported by dry stone walls. In this area, the vine was presumably introduced by the Greeks in the 8th-7th centuries BC. From the ports of Sibari, Crotone, and Locri, ships laden with amphorae filled with wine would set sail. After the Roman era, cereal cultivation was favored in this region, and it was only in the Middle Ages that wine production resumed, likely marking the characterization of Castiglione as a grape variety.

Ampelographically, Castiglione has medium-large clusters, medium-long, conical in shape, with rather adherent wings and a medium-short, robust peduncle of green color. The berries are medium or medium-large in size, ranging from ellipsoidal to ovoid. The skin is of medium thickness but very resistant, well-pruinose, and blue-black with violet hues. Cultivation-wise, Castiglione has medium-high productivity and prefers not overly expansive training systems. It has good resistance to climatic adversities and tolerance to major cryptogamic diseases, especially botrytis and sour rot. It is vinified both in blends and as a pure variety. As a wine, Castiglione presents an intense ruby red color. On the palate, it is dry, fresh, rightly tannic, slightly acidic, and of decent body.