Archive for 'Chianti'

Beautiful and historic wineries that are located in the most extraordinary settings are not unusual in Tuscany but, though there are many and many that we have discussed in this blog on numerous occasions in the past, there are many more excellent examples that we have yet to discover and for visitors to the region to discover. So, if you're a serious wine-lover who is thinking of planning a vacation sometime soon, there can be no doubt that Tuscany makes for a truly idyllic and perfect holiday destination to go and see where great Italian wines are made, taste wines, learn about them, buy and ship bottles home, and to engage in a vibrant and ancient wine culture.

One particularly scenic and lovely winery in which one can do all of the above and more besides is the beautiful Castello di Monsanto. While the Castello di Monsanto actually dates back to the middle of the 18th century and wine production in the area goes back centuries, it is in the last fifty years that the estate has become home to the Bianchi family and their beloved wines. Located in Barberino Val d'Elsa, in western Chianti Classico, a bit northwest of Castellina in Chianti, this incredible historic castle was where founder Aldo Bianchi, a native of San Gimignano who had first left Tuscany before the Second World War to seek fortune elsewhere in the North of Italy, found himself at a wedding. Taking in the amazing views across at his hometown of San Gimignano, over the hills of the Chianti Fiorentino region, and right to Monte Amiata and the Apuan Alps from the terrace of the castle, Aldo fell in love. Within a few months, he owned the Castello di Monsanto.

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Castello Sonnino, or Castello di Montespertoli, is a stunning castle on a wine estate next to a village called Montespertoli in the Chianti region of Tuscany, 20km south of Florence. Dating back as far as the 13th century, this 150 hectare estate has been the home of the de Renzis Sonnino family since the beginning of the nineteenth century. The arrival of Baron Alessandro and Baroness Caterina de Renzis Sonnino, with their children Virginia and Leone, in 1987, saw the estate transformed into the well-oiled machine that it is today and their conservative renovation work and “commitment to the protection of the historic-cultural heritage and the revival of the winegrowing activity” have made Castello Sonnino one of the most highly regarded wine producers in Florentine Chianti.

You begin researching a vacation, decide on a destination and then start looking for the perfect holiday rental. Once you've found some good options, it can be hard to narrow them down but one thing that really helps are reviews. Hearing what real people have to say about something helps give us peace of mind and, luckily, here at Italy Villas, we have been blessed with lots of customers who give us great feedback. Therefore, we thought that it would be a good idea to put together a list of our most-reviewed properties to show some of the excellent villas and experiences you can expect when you book with us!

1. Montegufoni

Montegufoni is a wonderful castle dating back to the 12th century that was restored in the 17th century by the Acciaioli family, who added its distinctive and impressive tower that was modelled after the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. Part of a large estate that is comprised of gardens, vineyards and olive trees in the heart of the Chianti region, it is located 1km away from the small village of Montagnana and 20km from Florence.

Sitting back with a wine and taking in the distinctly Italian landscape is a must for any person of legal age that appreciates a drink and has found a vacation rental in Italy. Italy is, of course, famous for her cuisine and wine and visiting a winery to taste and learn about local wines is a wonderful way to spend a day. We have compiled a list of some of the country's best and most beloved wineries for you to peruse so all you need to do is get planning your next trip!