CHIANTI CLASSICO ITINERARY

The geographic area where Chianti DOCG is produced, officially called Classico, is found in the
districts of Firenze and Siena, specifically among the hills of Chianti west of Val di Pesa and Val
d’Elsa, criss-crossed with many roads that lead to the production sites of the famous wine.
This itinerary suggests a departure from Greve in Chianti, passing through Panzano, Volpaia,
Radda, Gaiole, to ultimately arrive in Monteriggioni.

GREVE
Take Highway A1, exit at Firenze Sud. Once off the highway pass by the Sheraton and follow the
signs for SP 127, and arrive at Grassina by following the state road #222, Chiantigiana.
When visiting this city, you must see the Piazza del Mercato, at the centre of a densely populated
area. Full of rural parishes and churches, strewn with castles and feudal villages, that after the
conquest and successive Florentine transformation became distinguished residences, towns, and
factory-towns.
On this ancient piazza appears the Palazzo Comunale, rising above the other old, magisterial
palazzos, whose construction began in 1485 and ended in 1489. Above this building was
constructed the new palazzo comunale, beginning in 1894 and ending in 1895.. The administration
had its first seating there on January 24, 1896, as is stated on the memorial plaque in the entrance
hall.
On the opposite side from the palazzo is the Chiesa di Santa Croce, on the site where a small
medieval chapel was found and then demolished at the beginning of the 18th century to make way
for the new construction. The church, with three aisles and a semicircular apse, was constructed in
the Neo-Renaissance style between 1833 and 1835, under the direction of architect Luigi de
Cambray-Digny (the garret’s decoration is a direct reference to the Chiesa di Santo Spirito in
Florence). Several highly esteemed works of art are kept inside the church, among which are a
trilogy by Bicci di Lorenzo representing the Madonna col Bambino e Santi (from the first half of
the 15th century), and an elegant, Neoclassical, glazed ceramic depicting the Sacra Famiglia.
We must mention the small but valuable Museum of Sacred Art of San Francesco, with its
enclosed document centre, that informs visitors about the principal works contained in the churches
and parishes of the region, that altogether constitute the so-called, “diffuse museum.” The collection
of sacred art, taken in this context, also creates testimony to historical and cultural identity in
Florentine Chianti, by revealing works of art and handiworks derived from the territory’s churches.
In December 2004 an archaeological section was inaugurated to display recovered finds from
archaeological excavations in the area.
Not to be missed are the antique street market on Easter Monday, the sensational flower market in
May, and the Chianti wine show in September, one of the most important shows of the region.
Don’t leave Greve in Chianti without visiting the Castello di Montefioralle, encircled by 2 walls
since antiquity so that housing could be established. It is considered one of the most ancient villages
in Chianti that traces back to Etruscan-Roman times. The walls created an octagonal perimeter and
were partly destroyed, as well as the towers, during the months when Florence was under siege by
Emperor Carlo V’s armies. Their current aspect goes back to the 1500’s when the walls were fit
with houses constructed with materials left over from the destruction of the towers. Visit the Chiesa
di S. Stefano with works of art from 1200 and 1400 and the Pieve di S. Cresci in Montefioralle,
outside the city walls, that is one of the oldest churches in Chianti. The original structure was put up
in the XII century. The Piave di S. Cresci is characterized by the portico at its entrance with two
mullioned openings. Inside, the presbytery is supported by 4 columns and 6 semi-columns.

Wineries to Visit

Casa Vinicola Carpineto Snc

Loc. Dudda, 17/B, Loc. Dudda 50022 GREVE IN CHIANTI – (FI) Tel: 055 8549086 8549062 Fax:
055 8549001.
Founded in 1967 by Giovanni Carlo Sacchet and Antonio Mario Zaccheo, under whose direction
the company has attained an international reputation, attestable by its numerous awards and
acknowledgements. The winery merits recognition for its long aging, even up to 6 to 12 months,
pushing the limits of various disciplines. Confirming the spirit of the two associates, innovators of
tradition, they are still in the process of many other experiments, always maintaining the great
historical value of Tuscany. In fact, their line of wines include some of the most prestigious
DOCG’s.
Booking required for visits.

Castello di Querceto
Via A. Francois, 2, Loc. Lucolena 50020 GREVE IN CHIANTI – (FI) Tel: 055 85921 Fax: 055
8592200.
Castello di Querceto, of Longobard origins and under ownership of the Francois family since 1897,
it was erected as a lookout over Via Cassia Imperiale, one of the principle roads during the Roman
era. Today, framed by the green of the woods and hills, the castle maintains it’s original Medieval
image. In 1924 it became part of the 33 founding establishments of the Consorzio del Chianti
Classico. In its cellars are conserved valuable bottles from antiquity that remain from the first
harvest of the 20th century. At the bottom of the valley there happens to be a picturesque little lake
for trout fishing..
You can visit the winery according to the following schedule. Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 12:00 / 2:00
– 5:00.
The company offers the possibility to stay in one of their 10 agriturismo apartments; some of which
are located right in the middle of the establishment, a short distance from the Medieval castle, with
access to the old stone courtyards where their wine shop, the offices, and the old aging cellar are
sound.

Castello di Verrazzano
Via S. Martino in Valle, 12 50022 GREVE IN CHIANTI – (FI) Tel: 055 854243 Fax: 055 854241.
The castle, of Etruscan origins and subsequently Roman, stands in a panoramic position in Val di
Greve. It was owned by the Verrazzano family since the 7th century and in 1485 the notable
Giovanni was born, the famous discoverer of the bay of New York and much of the Eastern
American coast. The beauty of the castle and natural countryside justifies the continuing and
constant flow of tourists, attracted to the late Renaissance garden and the winery’s history.
Winery Visits: Monday – Friday, 11:00 – 1:00 / 3:00 – 5:00.
Besides visits for tastings, it is possible to book a stay in the farmhouse on the property, converted
into an agriturismo.

Fattoria di Calcinaia
Via di Citille, 84, Loc. Greti 50022 GREVE IN CHIANTI – (FI) Tel: +39 055 854008 Fax: +39 055
854008.
Owned by the Capponi Counts since May 23, 1524, Calcinaia is the heart of the family; generation
after generation, family members give new life to the fields, forests, vineyards, and cellars, like
every spring gives new life to the earth. And what could be a better example of this continuous
renewal than wine? Every harvest, the family shares the hopes, worries, pride, and commitments
that are included in the work. Chianti Classico of Villa Calcinaia is the purest expression of
tradition and is justly proud to be called Capponi.
Booking required for visits.
Guests at Villa Calcinaia can arrange a stay in one of the various apartments recently derived from
the typical farmhouses of the village. The apartments of San Pierino are valued for their
harmonization between more modern comforts, with attention to history, tradition, customs, and
architecture of the countryside.

Villa Vignamaggio
Via Petrolio, 5 50022 GREVE IN CHIANTI – (FI) Tel: +39 055 854661 Fax: +39 055 8544468.
The Villa Vignamaggio, surrounded by an elegant Italian garden, is set in a spendidly typical
Chianti frame of olive groves and vineyards that are an authentic and admirable testimony to a
rustic Renaissance way of life. The villa’s core was constructed in the 14th century to house
Gherardini’s art, to whom the celebrated Mona Lisa, “la Gioconda,” by Leonardo da Vinci
belonged. Since 1988 Gianni Nunziante, the present proprietor, has reconstructed the buildings and
garden and has undertaken a project to renovate the vineyards and cellars.
Bookings can be made for bed and breakfast in the rooms, apartments, and suites of the restructured
farmhouses.

PANZANO
Take the state road #222 to arrive at Castello di Panzano, of Roman-Barbarian origins. In spite of
the assaults and destruction over the centuries, the castle’s structure still conserves many of the
characteristics that made it an important fortress during the wars between Florence and Siena, in the
second half of 200. Original documents from the era show its development under the ownership of
Ricasoli Firidoli, the same person who was previously occupied with constructing the Montegrossi
and Brolio castles. Where the Chiesa di Santa Maria is now situated, it is still possible to admire
part of the castle walls and old towers, one of which is currently used as the church’s bell tower.
Pass under the round arch of the original castle door and don’t forget to visit the original tower
house, situated in front of the dungeon.


VOLPAIA
You must get off the Chiantigiana state road (#222), to put yourself on a secondary road to arrive in
Volpaia, a perfect Medieval village built around a castle which, with its location on the borders of
Florence and Siena, must have been notably important for defence. Inside the castle, where the
ambiance has been commendably conserved, is situated an unusual religious building, the Chiesa di
Sant’Eufrosino, called the “Commenda,” dedicated to the bishop from the East who is considered
the Evangelist of Chianti.

RADDA IN CHIANTI
Keep going south where Radda in Chianti is situated. It boasts Etruscan origins: traces of these
mysterious people are found in the habituated areas of this territory. In 1384 it became the chief
town of Lega del Chianti, that also included the territories of Castellina and Gaiole in Chianti (the
“leagues” were individual jurisdictions, that reunited the Florentine countryside, with administrative
functions, equipped to meet the specific needs for defence).
Radda still conserves some of its ancient encircling walls and Medieval town structure, formed in
an elongated ellipse. In the village centre is the Palazzo del Podestà, constructed in the 1400’s with
a coat of arms adorning its façade, and the Chiesa di San Niccolò. Nearby, and worth mentioning,
is the Francescan Convent of S. Maria in Prato, home to a religious art museum with works
derived from the churches of Radda and Gaiole. Radda is the centre of the Consorzio Chianti
Classico, founded in 1924, and of the Centre for Chiantigiani Studies.

Wineries to Visit

GAIOLE IN CHIANTI
In 1300, with the “Lega del Chianti” proclamation, Gaiole became the main city of “terziere,” and
the importance of this place grew, although already famous for its trade and customs market on the
road to Siena. Today it hosts, from June to September, numerous fairs and festivals, culminating in
“Settembre Gaiolese,” a celebration of the harvest. Around Gaiole is found the largest concentration
of farms and castles, at least 15, some of which have a decidedly grand historical and vinicultural
importance. The itinerary from Gaiole to Siena passes through the historical Brolio castle-village. It
has been a residence for the family of baron Bettino Ricasoli since the Middle Ages, who had many
turns as president of the Consiglio in the years before Italy’s unification (1860). The castle, from the
9th century, was remodelled in the 15th century in the Florentine style.

Wineries to Visit

Azienda Agricola Rocca di Castagnoli
Loc. Castagnoli 53013 GAIOLE IN CHIANTI – (SI) Tel: 0577 731004 Fax: 0577 731050.
This is a young vine-growing and wine-producing company that is already very prestigious; it has
succeeded in reaching a significant size in a short time. A place dedicated to entertainment and free
time, good dining and relaxation, with a restaurant and an agriturismo well considered as natural
complements to Rocca’s cellars and vineyards.
Winery visits: Monday, Wednesday – Friday, 9:00 – 1:00 – 2:00 – 6:00; Tuesday, 2:00 – 6:00;
Saturday, 9:00 – 1:00. Booking required.
Castello di san Donato in Perano
Loc. San Donato in Perano 53013 GAIOLE IN CHIANTI – (SI) Tel: 0577 744121 Fax: 0577
745023.
Booking required for visits.

MONTERIGGIONI
The route of Chianti Classico makes an obligatory pass by Siena without actually touching it and
heads towards the south to join the first part of the main highway for Florence, arriving at
Monteriggioni.
The town was built by the Sienese on the back summit of a hilly area with the town walls on the
cliff’s border and it’s thirteenth-century structure is well-conserved. The houses within are situated
around the lovely 14th century parish. The inhabitants number little more than two hundred. On the
piazza you will find a wonderfully characteristic restaurant; several artisanal stores, most commonly
featuring wrought iron and lace.