The Estate of Villa Castelletti is located outside the hills West of Florence, just North of the Arno river, along the Lucchese plain – literally between Florence and Lucca (The historic heart of Florence is about 9 miles away). The estate grounds are set within an ancient park that is surrounded by forest. The main villa is spectacular, large and beautiful.

 Villa accomodation is sometimes used for congresses, conventions, special events and receptions and the entire space within the villa can hold up to 1500 people for special events.

 The origins of the villa date to the beginning of the 4^th century AD. The oldest nobile landlord was the Strozzi family. Through the centuries the villa passed hands from the Strozzi to the Lapi, then to the Uguccioni, then the Cavalcanti (of whom the poet Guido belonged; he was a companion of Dante), then the Cattani-cavalcanti family.  It was the Cavalcanti family who, in the 18^th century, radically expanded the villa’s structure adding 2 outside walls, enlarging the central area, adding a second level and the characteristic top. In the following century, under the guidance of the Count Leopoldo Cattani Cavalcanti, the property became a model agricultural producing estate founding the Istituto Agrario Filantropico (Agricultural Philanthropic Institute). At the end of the 18^th century, the Montagliari Counts (of German origin with the name “Mayer”) came to acquire the villa. Today the villa is managed by a historical society that promotes cultural initiatives and special events.

Accommodations for guests are in a borgo (hamlet) made up of a group of renovated farmhouses, which maintain the original style of an old Tuscan country-house. The renovated apartments are fully independent and equipped with all modern conveniences, as well as a sophisticated electronic system which controls the functioning and safety of air

temperature, humidity, locks etc. to guarantee guests a comfortable and secure stay.
Specifically, the mini-apartments are made up of a lounge/dining room, split-level bedroom, bathroom, and corner kitchen, and can occupy families of more than 2 persons. There is central heating and air-conditioning, satellite TV and pay TV all of which operate utilizing a “chip card” computerized system.

You will sample an array of fine wines from the area where you will be based. This area is known as one of the oldest wine zones Carmignano and this DOCG (the highest quality denomination assigned by the Italian governement for authentic wine producing regions, literally “di origine controllata e garantita” translated as: of controlled and guaranteed origin) blends Cabernet with the Sangiovese grape which produces some of Tuscany’s finest wines.

You will also experience the smooth DOC red known as the Rosso delle Colline Lucchesi in Lucca and Tuscany’s only white wine found in the Chianti region, a favourite of the Grand Medici family, known as the Vernaccia of San Gimignano.

The best of Carmignano wines will be experienced at one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries of Carmignano known as “Tenuta di Capezzana”. You will be taken on a tour of the winery situated on an estate of over 670 hectares of which consists of 90 hectares of vineyards and 140 hectares of olive groves. You will visit an historical cellar dating back to the 16th century and taste a selection of Capezzana wines.

Click here for information on selected Capezzana Wines!

Known as one of the oldest wine cellars as it is the area where numerous vases and wine pitchers have been found, amoung Etruscan remains proving wines were already being grown in this area about 3000 years ago!.
 

EXCURSIONS & ITINERARY:

 Not only will you be experiencing a fine Tuscan Estate, I will take you to discover the famous towns that you will come to experience from a more native perspective. You will be learning all there is to know about Tuscan cuisine from cooking on the beautiful Castelletti estate (your home for one week!) to cooking in a 16th century palazzo in the centre of Florence!!! Along with cooking fantastic meals I have incorporated a number of excursions for the week, incorporating the regions cuisine, culture, art and not forgetting to give you time to shop in some of the most exciting towns and cities. We will visit Leonardo di Vinci’s home town , stroll around the best preserved Roman City known as Lucca, become immersed in a cultural experience.

Karen & Alessandro work at Villa Castelletti and help me with many aspects of the program. You will feel welcomed and we will make you feel at home and make your stay unforgettable.