Castello di Vicchiomaggio
History of the winery
Visitors to the peaceful countryside to the south of the city of Firenze, the Florentine part of the Chianti Classico appellation, might find it a bit difficult to imagine that these rolling hillsides were once an often dangerous place. The Middle Ages and the Renaissance were anything but peaceful times, wars and incursions, battles and marauding troops were very much a part of the local scene, and in both the cities and the countryside fortification and defense were an absolute necessity.
Castello di Vicchiomaggio, an imposing castle perched on a hillside dominating the Greve river valley, is an excellent example of the type of fortified castle constructed to command the surroundings, in this case – we are a mere twelve miles from Florence itself – the approaches to Tuscany’s largest and richest city. In its first centuries of life it hosted such notable personages as Leonardo da Vinci, who resided there in the period he was working on the Mona Lisa, and poet Francesco Redi, whose “Bacchus in Tuscany” is a hymn to the wines of his home territory. At the present moment, however, all this seems very much part of a entirely remote past.
Farm Holiday Accomodation
Hospitality is of top priority in this ancient Castle and guests have a choice of various forms of accommodation from among flats and suites. The entire estate is surrounded by the farm’s vineyards and olive groves and includes a beautifully kept garden, which also boasts a well-equipped panoramic swimming pool.
The view and the tranquillity to be found in this part of Italy is truly unique and unforgettable. The carefully selected furnishings of the apartments and suites are in typical Tuscan style.
A hearty breakfast is served in the mornings and includes many sweet and savoury organic products that can delight any palate. The flats themselves are all situated inside the castle, while the suites are only a short way away from the main complex, in a tasteful and recently restored building. Each flat or suite is characterised by different colours and features. Guests can also visit the farm’s historic cellars and taste the excellent wines produced there.
Flats
Flats
The flats come in various sizes and can host either couples or families. Each flat has its own private bathroom and a well-equipped and modern kitchen. Additional amenities include a Wi-Fi connection, a safe, pool towels and courtesy toiletries. Daily cleaning is included.
Suites
There are 8 suites altogether, suitable for accommodating from 2 to 4 people. The various amenities include a Wi-Fi connection, a safe, pool towels, air conditioning and complimentary toiletries. Daily cleaning is included.
Suites
There are 8 suites altogether, suitable for accommodating from 2 to 4 people. The various amenities include a Wi-Fi connection, a safe, pool towels, air conditioning and complimentary toiletries. Daily cleaning is included.
Restaurant
The Restaurant welcomes its guests inside some of the ancient rooms of the Castle, in an atmosphere that seems to date from another age. The cuisine is mainly based on traditional Tuscan platters that are carefully matched with the wines produced on the farm.
The estate, which now belongs to the Matta family, devotes itself to the production of the wine and olive oil which have made the fame and fortune of Chianti Classico. Matta would seem to be an archetypical Italian name, but the family is actually Anglo-Italian and imported Italian wine into the U.K. It was John Matta who returned to his ancestral homeland after the acquisition of the property and turned it into a functional, and highly successful, winery.
Which bases its work on Sangiovese, as is logical and proper, though its FSM is a high level Merlot and Ripa delle More an impeccable blend of Tuscany’s main grape and classic Bordeaux varieties.
Pride of place, however, obviously goes to Chianti Classico: 80 thousand well made bottles of the San Jacopo, one fine Riserva wine, Agostino Petri, and the lovely Gran Selezione Vigna La Prima.
Which bases its work on Sangiovese, as is logical and proper, though its FSM is a high level Merlot and Ripa delle More an impeccable blend of Tuscany’s main grape and classic Bordeaux varieties.
Pride of place, however, obviously goes to Chianti Classico: 80 thousand well made bottles of the San Jacopo, one fine Riserva wine, Agostino Petri, and the lovely Gran Selezione Vigna La Prima.
