There are lots of different wineries that one can choose to visit while on vacation in Tuscany but if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are looking for a pretty, respected, and nearby winery to head to on a day trip out of the city then few options could be as ideal as Castello di Nipozzano. Located high on a hillside in the municipality of Pelago in the Chianti wine region, near Florence, overlooking the towns of San Francesco and Pontassieve and the ancient Roman road, the Cassia Vetus, it has long been a point of strategic importance in guarding the city of Florence. It has also been long recognised as a rather special architectural gem and has been a winery that is opened to the public and a foodie destination since the 20th century. A truly magical and utterly beautiful place to sample some delicious local wines, it is a must for wine-lovers who are spending time in Florence.
A typical keep of the medieval period, this fairytale castle traces its origins to at least the 11th century with documents from 1062 declaring that the Castle of Nipozzano was a property of the Guidi Counts. The original structure was lost but then rebuilt. From the Guidi family, the property then passed to the Da Quona family and then by donation to the distant Abbey of S.Fedele a Strumi, located in Casentino. In order to pay a debt to the Adimari family the abbot then was forced to lease the lands, houses, and vineyards from 1218 onwards. By 1283, the monks had to renounce Nipozzano and it was exchanged for lands closer to the city by the Cerchi family from Florence. From the opening of the 1300s, the castle came to be controlled by the Republic of Florence and its role in protecting the city became incredibly important. However, the Cerchi were involved in a power struggle over control of the Municipality of Florence and Nipozzano passed to allies of the Cerchi family, the Albizzi family, who had become the richest noble family in Florence. It was under the Albizzi that the castle became a majestic country seat in the 14th century and quickly became a fashionable meeting place for culture, thinkers, artists, and writers.
Despite clashes with, and defeats to, the Medici in the following century, the Albizzi continued to beautify and add to the castle with architectural elements added during the 15th to 17th centuries still visible in its design today. It was also descendants of the family that progressed the vineyards of Nipozzano and under Vittorio degli Albizzi, new methods of viticulture were introduced in the latter half of the 19th century. However, as he did not marry, Vittorio's assets (the castle among them) passed to his sister Leonia degli Albizzi, wife of Angelo Frescobaldi, and into the Frescobaldi family, to whom it still belongs today. Though the castle suffered damage during WWII, it has since been restored and is now a must for foodies spending time in this part of Tuscany.
Not only can visitors tour the cellars, taste the wines in a beautiful old kitchen in the castle, enjoy sweeping views over the Arno valley, and stock up on some excellent vintages, but it is also possible to enjoy their wines with an elegant dining experience in their Florentine restaurant, Ristorante Frescobaldi, when you head back to town at the end of the day. Visits, tours, and tastings must be booked in advance so click here to reserve your place.
If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and you are spending time enjoying the foodie culture of the region, be sure to head to the beautiful Nipozzano Estate to learn more about Tuscan wine, see where it comes from, and, of course, sample it!
Despite clashes with, and defeats to, the Medici in the following century, the Albizzi continued to beautify and add to the castle with architectural elements added during the 15th to 17th centuries still visible in its design today. It was also descendants of the family that progressed the vineyards of Nipozzano and under Vittorio degli Albizzi, new methods of viticulture were introduced in the latter half of the 19th century. However, as he did not marry, Vittorio's assets (the castle among them) passed to his sister Leonia degli Albizzi, wife of Angelo Frescobaldi, and into the Frescobaldi family, to whom it still belongs today. Though the castle suffered damage during WWII, it has since been restored and is now a must for foodies spending time in this part of Tuscany.
Not only can visitors tour the cellars, taste the wines in a beautiful old kitchen in the castle, enjoy sweeping views over the Arno valley, and stock up on some excellent vintages, but it is also possible to enjoy their wines with an elegant dining experience in their Florentine restaurant, Ristorante Frescobaldi, when you head back to town at the end of the day. Visits, tours, and tastings must be booked in advance so click here to reserve your place.
If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and you are spending time enjoying the foodie culture of the region, be sure to head to the beautiful Nipozzano Estate to learn more about Tuscan wine, see where it comes from, and, of course, sample it!
Photo credit: Roberto Amerini / CC BY-SA 4.0
