Your Special Day Trip in Chianti is a unique experience. Enjoy a relaxing day, exploring this wine and oil region. We will pick you up at your accommodation around 9 AM. I will be your guide for the entire day, and a private driver will take us in an air-conditioned minivan. The ride to the countryside will take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic and your pickup location. Once we arrive, we will enjoy a comprehensive visit of the villa, where we can admire the Italian-style garden, the chapel built by the Machiavelli family (yes, that Machiavelli, buried in Santa Croce in Florence!), and the stunning Renaissance mansion. We will spend some time exploring the wine cellars to learn about the entire winemaking process. Finally, we will indulge our taste buds with a wine tasting, accompanied by charcuterie, pecorino cheese, and bruschetta. Next, we will head to the family-run olive farm, where Giovanni and his dog will greet us. He will guide us through the olive grove and the mill, sharing insights about the production process. To wrap up the day, we will enjoy a delightful light lunch featuring extra virgin olive oil paired with soups, pasta, bread, and even gelato!
The first place we will visit is nestled in the Chianti hills near San Casciano. The villa, with its fascinating history, is a true gem that tells of past eras and illustrious figures. The access through the cypress-lined avenue is an invitation to discover the beauty of its 18th-century façade, while its privileged location offers breathtaking views of the Chianti hills and Florence. There’s actually a spot where you can gaze upon Florence and Brunelleschi’s Dome, seeming just a stone’s throw away. This natural context, enriched by vineyards and olive groves, contributes to making the villa a charming and evocative place, perfect for those seeking beauty and history in a single experience. Hosting Tsar Paul I and Pope Pius VII makes it a place of great historical and cultural significance. Amongst the first owners of the property we find even Machiavelli’s family, famed for given birth to the illustrious historian Nicolò Machiavelli.
Our second stop of the day takes us to the enchanting area known as “Chianti Colli Fiorentini” (Florentine Hills). This charming gem is nestled between Florence and Siena and is run by Giovanni and his family, who are dedicated producers of organic extra-virgin olive oil. However, in Tuscany, we don’t even need to specify Extra Virgin Olive Oil; it’s simply taken for granted! The combination of advanced technology, attention to quality, and a deep care for the land by the brother and sister team at the mill has resulted in exceptional extra virgin olive oils, both blends and single varietals. Among these are the Leccino del Corno, Morellino, and Frantoio varieties, as well as fine aromatic oils. The oil that we will taste is organic, multi-award-winning, and can be savored against a breathtaking landscape.
A small medieval gem nestled among hills covered with endless rows of vines, the village of San Donato in Poggio is located in the municipality of Barberino Tavarnelle. Indeed, it’s considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Thanks to its sturdy defensive walls, built in the 12th century, and the lookout tower, it still retains the charm of a bygone era. Furthermore, this quaint locale played an important role in the conflict between Florence and Siena. Actually, two significant peace treaties were signed here between the Republics of Florence and Siena in 1176 and 1265, just a few years before the famous Battle of Montaperti, which saw the defeat of the Florentine Guelphs. In fact, the influence of these two cities is still evident today in the main access gates to the village: the Porta Fiorentina to the north and the Porta Senese to the south. Strolling through the streets of San Donato in Poggio you can feel the charm of an illustrious past that still lingers.
Don’t wait longer, contact me to arrange your unforgettable memories of a special day in Tuscany!
