text Teresa Favi
The best wine resorts in Tuscany
A selection of the best Tuscan wine cellars where wine production and hospitality are at their best
It is called wine tourism, a phenomenon which has literally exploded in the aftermath of the pandemic. A brilliant blend of exclusive hospitality, manic care of the land, top-quality wine production, immersive experiences in the style, landscape, history and roots of Tuscany, with the plus of sunny weather, excellent food and the finest wines. Conviviality, which has always been traditionally associated with wine, has extended to the art of hospitality. The selection that follows includes some of the best Tuscan wine resorts, which provide both luxury hospitality and top-quality wine production.
CASTELLO DI BROLIO
Our tour starts at one of the pillars of Italian winegrowing, a property of the Ricasoli family for nearly 900 years, the place where, in the 1800s, Bettino Ricasoli created the recipe of Chianti wine. The castle soars over the green countryside of Gaiole, a small town in the Chianti Classico Senese area whose name, in the past few years, has been attached to the Eroica, a vintage bicycle race which attracts nostalgic cycling fans from all over the world. A combination of history, nature and beauty, but also of hospitality with all the comforts of modern life, including the Agribar Eroica Caffè, l’Osteria di Brolio, the holiday farm Agresto and Capanna di Citerna (a lovely cottage nestled in the Colledilà vineyard which gives the Cru Sangiovese wine, one of the signature labels of the Ricasoli production) and, last but not least, the magnificent castle with its Italian gardens and museum filled with curios and antiques. Baron Francesco Ricasoli has been at the head of the Ricasoli 1141 winery since 1993. The property stretches over 1,200 hectares, 235 of which planted with vineyards and 26 with olive trees, and welcomes over 50 thousand visitors every year for wine tastings and tours in the name of good taste and love of wine.
Ricasoli Castello di BrolioCASTELLO DI FONTERUTOLI
Fonterutoli is a village near Castellina in Chianti, in the province of Siena. The historic residence of the Mazzei family since 1435 ( for 25 generations), the village of Fonterutoli has lost nothing of its original medieval appearance. The Castle is reached via the Chiantigiana, the panoramic route which runs through the Chianti countryside and connects Florence and Siena. All the rooms of Castello di Fonterutoli are located within the village. Furnished in traditional Tuscan style with stone walls, terracotta flooring, wooden beams and large fireplaces, the rooms features a warm and welcoming atmosphere with view over the Tuscan countryside. The property spreads over 110 hectares planted with vineyards and the grapes are vinified at the modern winery that is considered to be one of the most impressive of the Chianti area. Castello di Fonterutoli’s signature wines are Siepi and the 3 Gran Seleziond Chianti Classico: Castello Fonterutoli, Vicoregio 36 and Badiòla, the Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo.
Castello di Fonterutoli
DIEVOLE WINE RESORT
In Castelnuovo Berardenga, is the estate of the Argentinian entrepreneur ( of Italian origin) Alejandro Bulgheroni. The heart of the estate is the eighteenth-century manor house, surrounded by Italian gardens and age-old trees: 8 apartments and 23 rooms furnished in the Tuscan style, 2 infinity pools giving onto the vineyards, the Novecento restaurant with outdoor seating run by Chef Monika Filipinska. The estate spreads over 400 hectares covered with vineyards, olive trees, woods and gardens. In addition to the many wine and wellness experiences to be enjoyed here, guests can visit the circular vineyard Fidelio, where every radius is planted with a native Tuscan grape variety. Dievole produces also fine Chianti Classico wines, including the iconic Riserva Novecento, which celebrates 30 vintages this year with the release of the 2019 wine.
Dievole Wine Resort ph Moggi
BORGO SAN FELICE
Situated also in Casteluovo Berardenga is Borgo San Felice, a five-star Relais & Châteaux nestled in the countryside. It is one of the first scattered hotels in Tuscany, with 29 rooms and 31 suite rooms in the old medieval village, plus Villa Casanova and Villa Colonna, both located just steps away from Borgo San Felice, in addition to the swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts and the Botanic Spa. What makes the stay even more unforgettable are the culinary experiences offered by Chef Juan Quintero who, under the supervision of multi-awarded Chef Enrico Bartolini, runs the resort’s 2 restaurants: the Michelin-starred Poggio Rosso and Osteria del Grigio. The San Felice winery produces excellent Chianti Classico wines, including Gran Selezione Il Grigio and Poggio Rosso, to be paired with the dishes on the menu. The vegetables and herbs are grown in the Orto Felice garden, a social inclusion project. Guests can tour the surroundings by bicycle, Vespa, vintage spider car or by going on an adventurous hot-air-balloon ride. San Felice’s business takes place at three separate estates: San Felice, 150 hectares planted with vineyards and over 15,000 olive trees in the Chianti Classico Senese countryside; Campogiovanni, 23 hectares planted with vineyards to the south of Montalcino, and 15 hectares in the Bolgheri area.
Borgo San Felice CASTELLO VICCHIOMAGGIO
The castle is a charming country estate set within 150 hectares of land in Greve in Chianti (Firenze). Viticulture has always been their passion and John and Paola Matta along with their four children have continued to carry on this ancient tradition since 1964. The main activity is winemaking for the production of Chianti Classico and Super Tuscan wines. Guest accommodation is in the Castle and Rectory of the ancient 13th-century church: 7 apartments are situated in the shade of the tall, crenellated tower and 7 suites in the rectory, elegantly furnished in typical Tuscan-style. The herb garden is close to the rectory where seasonal products are grown and used in the sophisticated dishes of the restaurant.
Castello Vicchiomaggio
FONTE DEI MEDICI
Set in an old 15thcentury country estate, only a few kilometres from Florence and Siena, the estate is surrounded by vineyards which belong to the Antinori family, internationally renowned winemakers, active for over 600 years and 26 generations. It is in this area that two of its flagship wines are produced: Tignanello, the first Super Tuscan wine in history, and Solaia. Here it is Fonte de’ Medici: a reception area and all standard amenities such as the swimming pool, the gym, the restaurant the Trattoria della Fonte, tennis courts, five-a-side football, a handful of apartments and an events area with cookery courses.
Fonte dei MediciIL BORRO RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX
A magical atmosphere: the Borro Relais & Châteaux is owned by Ferruccio Ferragamo since 1993 and set within an old estate in the Tuscan countryside in San Giustino Valdarno (Arezzo). It is a hotel, organic farm and winery. Guests can choose to stay in the historic residence, Villa Casetta, Villa Mulino or in any of the suites found between the hamlet and the farmyards of the Borro. Its strong point is the tastings of the most important wines of the Borro and the cuisine of chef Andrea Campani at the Borro Tuscan Bistro who uses locally grown ingredients from small local producers and the organic garden. Besides the panoramic swimming pool and the spa, the Borrobar is the perfect place to enjoy some time whenever you like. The amphitheatre with modern décor offers a new exclusive location ideal for ceremonies, weddings and private events. You are always surrounded by nature between horse-riding and nature trails by bike or on foot.
Il Borro ©FrancescaPagliai
ROSEWOOD CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO
An idyllic wine resort set within the National Reserve of Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO world heritage site in the region where the Brunello di Montalcino wine is produced. Castiglion del Bosco is a country estate set within 2000 hectares of land that was acquired by Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo in 2003. Since January 2015, it has been managed under Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, thus changing its name to Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco. Set within the estate of one of the oldest producers of Brunello wine, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco consists of a hamlet, an old village houses the ruins of the ancient castle dating back to 1100 AD, a medieval church, 42 suites, 11 villas with private pool, the Campo del Drago restaurant and the Osteria La Canonica, both managed by the executive chef Matteo Temperini, an organic vegetable garden, a cookery school as well as a Kids Club. There is also a wine cellar and 62 hectares of vineyard, and an 18-hole Golf Club within 210 hectares of rolling hills that is the only private golf club in Italy.
Rosewood Castiglion del BoscoFATTORIA DEL COLLE
A small country estate built in 1592 which has developed over the years around the manor house and the chapel, a place adored and nurtured by Donatella Cinelli Colombini with the aim of making the tourism experience stronger by combining local traditions with tourism. In this idyllic corner of Tuscany with its breathtaking views of the Val d’Orcia and the Crete Senesi, you will find 16 apartments, 2 villas, rooms, 3 swimming pools, a fine dining restaurant, a cookery school, a wellness area and a vegetable garden. The estate is surrounded by 6 hectares of olive groves, 17 hectares of vineyards and 5 truffle reserves. The flagship of wine production is the Cenerentola Doc Orcia based on Sangiovese and the Foglia Tonda, a Tuscan vine that was abandoned for more than a century, but it is here that it now thrives.
Fattoria del Colle
CASTELLO DI VICARELLO
Surrounded by the greenery of the hills of southern Maremma, the Castello di Vicarello is the wine estate which belongs to the Baccheschi Berti family. It was built around a 12th-century medieval country estate and transformed into a boutique hotel of immense charm by Carlo and Aurora Baccheschi Berti. with 2 swimming pools surrounded by lush gardens, olive groves, breathtaking scenery, 9 eclectic suites. A modern concept of hospitality: privacy, nature, tailor-made accommodation, and fine dining with locally grown ingredients, today managed by the sons of Carlo and Aurora, Neri and Corso. The restaurant uses the philosophy of Aurora, a proud supporter of the “from the garden to the table” philosophy as well as the creativity and talent of chef Kevin Luigi Fornoni, a former student of Carlo Cracco. His dishes are prepared using seasonal products grown in their vegetable garden, according to their availability. He ensures they pair perfectly with the wines of the house, managed by the eldest son Brando. Their flagship wines are the Castello di Vicarello, a Bordeaux-inspired blend, and from 2004 also Terre di Vico, a cuvée of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Other wines are the pure Sangiovese Merah and the sophisticated Santaurora, a Malbec rose wine.
Castello di Vicarello - Suite Villa ChiesinaL’ANDANA RESORT TENUTA LA BADIOLA
Located in Castiglione della Pescaia. It is the boutique resort owned by Terra Moretti, which wine lovers know very well because of the production of Acquagiusta, the brand by Tenuta La Badiola that houses L’Andana, and gourmands because of the Michelin-starred restaurant run by Enrico Bartolini, La Trattoria. At this five-star resort, which is part of The Leading Hotels of the World association, guests can go horse-riding through the pinewood up to the sea, do dynamic meditation at dawn on the beach of Cala Violina, go on a bicycle tour of the wineries designed by starchitects, play golf on the green with view of the sea and learn all the secrets behind the Natked method. L’Andana has 47 rooms, twenty of which are superior and deluxe, 13 suite rooms and 14 housed inside Casa Badiola Tuscan Inn, a building separate from the main Medicean villa and nestled in the green park. Among the resort’s highlights, in addition to the Espa Spa, are the 3 restaurants including La Trattoria run by Enrico Bartolini. The executive chef is Marco Ortolani, who manages the other two restaurants too, that is, La Villa restaurant-bistro and the restaurant of Casa Badiola.
L’Andana
TOSCANA RESORT CASTELFALFI
Imagine a medieval gem surrounded by hills between Siena, Pisa and Florence, and vineyards and olive trees as far as the eye can see. It is Castelfalfi, a magical historical resort with a medieval Castle, church, apartments in the hamlet, stunning villas and farmhouses with private pool, a 5-star hotel with panoramic rooms and suites, Spa, 3 swimming pools, 4 restaurants and a lounge bar, as well as a spectacular 27-hole golf course with Club House. Here, time flows slowly in complete harmony with nature, offering travellers the opportunity to enjoy its incredible tranquillity surrounded by amazing scenery. All around the resort, almost like guardians of these ancient farming traditions, there are 1,100 hectares of forest and agricultural land (including 25 hectares of vineyards that produce 6 organic wines, especially the Poggio alla Fame).
Castelfalfi 
