Vignamaggio is an historical wine estate in Tuscany which has been producing and selling wine since 1404. It is located in the hills between Greve in Chianti and Lamole, in the heart of the Chianti Classico. It is also often attributed as the birthplace of the sitter from Leonardo's Mona Lisa. Some even claim that the scenery in the background of the painting is the view from the terrace of the villa on the estate. Whether this is actually the case or not, it is a beautiful estate with fine gardens, a lovely villa and extensive vineyards. You can take tours of the estate and go on tastings to sample the famous wine and other products which are produced there. If you're a wine fan or just interested in immersing yourself in Tuscan culture, you need to find a luxury villa in Chianti and spend a day exploring this prestigious estate.
At Villa Vignamaggio, they claim that Mona Lisa was born within their walls in 1479. She was a noblewoman by the name of Lisa Gherardini and later became the wife of a rich silk merchant named Francisco Giocondo before being immortalised in her now wildly famous portrait by Da Vinci. Her husband commissioned Leonardo to paint his wife and then mysteriously refused to part with it, taking it with him to France where it remains since it became part of the French royal collection after his death. The views which surround the estate could easily be the setting of the painting but it is also well-established that Da Vinci was inspired by the Tuscan landscape in general.
While questions surrounding this painting will likely remain forever unanswered, there is one thing that is certain; the villa, estate and wine are well worth the visit! There are a variety of tours which are organised daily upon reservation, normally in the morning at 10.30 or 3.30 in the afternoon and lasting around an hour and a half.
The Classic Tour sees guests shown the Italian Garden and Cellars without wine tasting and costs 10 Euros per person. The Tasting Experience, costing 25 Euros per person, includes wine tasting of wines such as Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva, Vinsanto and sampling of foods such as extra virgin olive oil, salami from the “Antica Macelleria Falorni”, a selection of local cheese, Tuscan bread and cantucci.
The Tuscan Lunch includes a tour, lunch and guided tasting and costs 55 Euros per person and the Sunset Dinner costs 62 Euros per person and includes tasting, a tour and dinner.
A truly pleasant way to spend a day and to experience Tuscan food and wine, this is a must for foodies or culture-lovers visiting Tuscany!
The Classic Tour sees guests shown the Italian Garden and Cellars without wine tasting and costs 10 Euros per person. The Tasting Experience, costing 25 Euros per person, includes wine tasting of wines such as Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva, Vinsanto and sampling of foods such as extra virgin olive oil, salami from the “Antica Macelleria Falorni”, a selection of local cheese, Tuscan bread and cantucci.
The Tuscan Lunch includes a tour, lunch and guided tasting and costs 55 Euros per person and the Sunset Dinner costs 62 Euros per person and includes tasting, a tour and dinner.
A truly pleasant way to spend a day and to experience Tuscan food and wine, this is a must for foodies or culture-lovers visiting Tuscany!
Photo credits
picture 1: keikatagiri / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Michal Osmenda / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 3: charley1965 / CC BY-SA 2.0
picture 1: keikatagiri / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Michal Osmenda / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 3: charley1965 / CC BY-SA 2.0
