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| Villa Piaggia |
| The first traces of a settlement at Piaggia date back to the year 1000 A.D. At that time the complex was a cloister on the “via Francigena” (the main route from France to Rome) which still passes through the property connecting San Vivaldo to Montaione. |
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The estate was originally owned by the Guicciardini Strozzi family, who used it as hunting lodge. Later it changed hands and became the property of the Bardini family, for whom the Bardini Museum in Florence is named.
Finally, in the second half of the 20th century, it was bought by the Billeri family and is now owned by Francesco and Veronica Passerin d’Entrèves.
The villa is located in a marvelous area, between Florence and Siena, which offers picturesque landscapes, breathtaking panoramas and constantly changing colors of the land and sky.
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From here, one can easily reach the most famous cities of art in Tuscany, as well as smaller but renowned towns like San Gimignano. The region is also home to the marvelous hills where Chianti wine is produced, and where numerous hilltop medieval hamlets dot the area, each proud of its particular heritage and traditions. |
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Arriving at this splendid estate is like leaving the present behind and entering an ancient world rich with history and legends almost as tangible as the old bricks of this marvelous spot.
Villa Piaggia appears as a formidable and traditional stone building that has been recently restored, maintaining all the particular details linking it to a past that, although quite removed, is still clearly present.
The façade has a generous number of windows illuminating the interior and permitting guests to admire the lovely garden and surrounding panorama of gentle hills, vineyards, groves of olive trees and several tiny villages perched on nearby hillsides.
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Located a few steps down from the lawn is the swimming pool area, well equipped for relaxation and refreshment. Scattered about the lawn are umbrellas, lounge chairs and small tables, the whole area being surrounded by attractive plants, shrubs and trees.
Here one can enjoy a well-deserved period of rest and renewal while appreciating the Tuscan countryside in all its forms and splendors and leisurely sharing such memorable moments with family and friends.
The pool area is also equipped with changing rooms, bathrooms and showers, and is illuminated at night by glowing lamps.
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| Nearby, under a covered porch, lies an area specifically furnished for outdoor dining. Here tables, chairs and lounge chairs are protected by large white billowing drapes. A barbeque completes this area, enabling guests to savor the traditional Florentine beef steak cooked on the grill and enjoy all the tastes and aromas of a real Tuscan culinary experience |
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The villa is part of an old farm situated on 150 hectares of land, 25 of which are vineyards located on hilly calcareous terrain at an altitude of 350m above sea level with a south, south-west exposure. The predominant variety of grapes is Sangiovese, together with Canaiolo, Colorino, Malvasia from Chianti, Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon and a small quantity of Trebbiano. The vineyards, the majority of which have been recently replanted, have a density ranging from 3600 to 5500 plants per hectare and a spur cordon training system.
The olive-groves extend over about 20 hectares, hosting the many different varieties such as Frantoio, Leccino, Pendolino and Moraiolo that make up the extraordinary Piaggia olive oil, rich in intensity and personality.
Francesco and Veronica Passerin d'Entrèves personally manage all stages of production from the vineyards to the cellar, offering a selection of products fully respecting local traditions and true to the philosophy that each wine and olive oil must be a sincere expression of the terrain from which it comes.
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| CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO SEE THE FULL GALLERY |
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