From June 16 to July 3, 2025, Annette and I spent time in wine country Italy, by car.
For an overview of the whole trip, go here: Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025
Third Stop: Chianti Classico (Tuscany)
From Bolgheri we drove to Chianti Classico and stayed 3 nights at Fattoria e Villa di Rignana.
On the arrival day, we went to the pool and had dinner at La Cantinetta di Rignana.
On the second day, we visited Greve and several Chianti Classico estates. The day ended with dinner again at La Cantinetta di Rignana.
On the third day, we started with an extensive winery visit at our hotel, at Fattoria di Rignana, with owner and winemaker Cosimo Gericke, followed by visits of more wineries in the Chianti Classico region. For dinner, as La Cantinetta di Rignana was closed on that day, we went to Locanda di Poggio al Sole, the restaurant of the Poggio al Sole winery, near Fattoria et Villa di Rignana.
Badia a Passignano (GoogleAI based)
Ancient History and Religious Significance: Documents mentioning the abbey date back to the 890s during the Lombard era, though some sources suggest an even earlier foundation in 395 AD. In 1049, it became part of the Vallombrosan Order, a reformed branch of the Benedictines known for their viticulture and forestry expertise.
Cultural and Scientific Hub: The abbey was a significant center for learning and scholarship throughout the centuries, and famously hosted Galileo Galilei as a mathematics teacher in 1587-1588.
Stunning Location: Situated atop a scenic hilltop surrounded by cypress trees, it offers picturesque views that embody the traditional Tuscan landscape.
Architectural Beauty: The abbey features impressive Romanesque architecture, including the 12th-century Church of San Michele Arcangelo and cloisters added in the 15th century. The refectory also houses frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio and his brother Davide.
Wine Heritage: The vineyards surrounding Badia a Passignano have a long and respected history of wine production, with evidence dating back a thousand years. The estate is now owned by the prestigious Marchesi Antinori family, who produce their Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from the grapes grown there. The wine is aged in the abbey's historic cellars.
Marchesi Antinori (web site)
One of the most ancient areas in the Chianti Classico region
Badia a Passignano is located above the town of Sambuca Val di Pesa, just 3 kilometers south of the Tenuta Tignanello estate. The property extends over an area of 223 hectares (551 acres), of which 65 hectares (160 acres) are planted with vines. The estate’s historical importance in the Chianti region is well documented in hundreds of volumes that are kept in the Florence State Archives that provide descriptions and details about the Sangiovese vineyards and local crops over the centuries. Further proof of this came to light in 1983 when a thousand year old vitis vinifera plant was discovered on the land surrounding Badia a Passignano.
History
There is much conflicting information regarding the year the abbey was founded. In Pietro Aretino’s biography of San Zanobi, he states that the archbishop of Florence founded the Passignano monastery in 395, however the monastery’s oldest documents are dated 891. In 1049 the Badia became property of Vallombrosian order, a reformed branch of the Benedictines who specialized in viticulture and forestry. Historical archives in the monastery report many prominent events, including the stay of Galileo Galilei in 1587-1588 as a mathematics teacher. The monastery has undergone restoration and conservation work that has changed its structure and appearance over the centuries.
The Vineyards
The abbey's 65 hectares (160 acres), planted principally with Sangiovese, grow at an altitude that varies between 250 meters (820 feet) and 300 meters (984 feet) above sea level on calcareous soil in one of the most naturally endowed and beautiful environments in the Chianti Classico region.
The Cellars
Fascinating medieval cellars from the tenth century are found directly under the monastery. Vaulted ceilings and massive walls naturally keep humidity and temperatures constant year round. Badia a Passignano is aged in Hungarian oak barrels in the maze of passageways in these underground cellars.
The vineyards around Badia were acquired by Antinori in 1987 and within a very short time one of the most exclusive and qualitatively almost perfect vineyards has been created on the historic spot - Tenuta Badia a Passignano. Very close to the entrance to the abbey, Allegra Antinori opened in 1995 the small enoteca "La Bottega", to which the restaurant "Osteria di Passignano" is attached. Of course, Antinori wines can be obtained in both. Together with the idyll of the surrounding countryside, this place should not be missing on any trip to Italy.
Osteria di Passgignano (1 Star Michelin)
Part of the Antinori estate, this restaurant has an elegant feel despite describing itself as an “osteria” (a more informal inn). It occupies an old site next to the old Badia di Passignano abbey after which it is named, and in whose wine cellars some of Antinori’s best Chianti is laid to age. This charming setting is full of history and references to wine. In the kitchen, the young chef maintains strong connections with the region and its wine, creating a menu with a resolutely seasonal focus. The personalised dishes are modern and cleverly designed to make full use of the property’s two stand-out features – the abbey’s beautiful kitchen garden which provides the chef with his herbs and vegetables, and the wine list which is truly impressive. The Tuscan wines are particularly notable, especially the legendary labels from the restaurant’s own winery.
.jpg)
Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025
Lake Como
At Villa Almana in Cernobbio at Lake Como - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Bolgheri
Dinner at La Tana del Pirata in Marina di Castagneto Carducci, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Winery Tour and Tasting at Tenuta Argentiera, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Florentine Steak - Dario Cecchini Selection - for Lunch at Osteria Magona in Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Running into Marco Balsimelli, Production Director, Ornellaia and Masseto, at Osteria Magona, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at La Macchiole, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Visiting Vigna Lodovico and Tasting Lodovico Antinori's Cult Wines Lodovico and Il Nicchio with his Assistant at Locanda dell' Aioncino - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Dinner at Locanda dell' Aioncino, Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Tasting the Wines of Tenuta di Biserno and Staying at Relais di Biserno, Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia): Barrel Cellar Tour and Tasting - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Bistecca alla Fiorentina for Lunch at Osteria Enoteca San Guido (Sassicaia), Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Ornellaia, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Dinner at La Pineta, with Chef/ Co-owner Daniele Zazzeri, a Michelin Starred Seafood Restaurant, at Marina die Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Grattamacco, a Benchmark Producer in Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
No comments:
Post a Comment