CHIANTI’S TOWNS AND HAMLETSChianti is a geographic area between Siena and Florence that includes the territory composed by the towns named “in Chianti”: Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Greve in Chianti and Gaiole in Chianti. Chianti is the production area of the famous wine Chianti Classico D.O.C.G. (which means Controlled and Guaranteed Origin Denomination).
MAP OF OUR VILLAS - CHIANTI AREA 
The D.O.C.G. rules follow the European Union agreement for the origin protection of European wines, and according with this rules. The first important point is that the grapes grow in the correspondent geographic area and the complete process of making the wine takes place in this area from the cultivation to the bottlling. So, nobody can call his wine a “Chianti Classico” if it is not made in this specific area, and that’s why Chianti has become so famous, just like the Bordeaux in France, for example. You will recognize a Chianti Classico from a rose label on the top of the bottle with the reference number and the “Gallo Nero” (Black Rooster) label. Gallo Nero is the cooperative that controls the origin and quality of each winery in Chianti area.
But Chianti area doesn’t hide only wineries and green rolling hills covered of vineyards. It hides much more: medieval towns, historic hamlets and castles. Moreover, Chianti is located in the central Tuscany, which makes it a strategic position to reach the most important cities in Tuscany, north or south; east or west. This area has an important history from the Etruscans, during the 7th and 6th centuries b. C., passing through the Roman domination until getting its major importance during the medieval time. On the 12th century started a war between Florence and Siena, the two strongest Tuscan cities at that period. This war has lasted until the year of 1.554 when Florence has won the war and signed the end of the Siennese Republic, the beginning of Tuscan Grand Duchy.
The Chianti towns have played a strategic military role during the war, they have been conquered many times and passed from the hands of Siena to Florence and vice-versa several times. The country territories under Florence domain have been divided in leagues. The leagues used to work as administrative and political branches for the control of the territory. The famous “Lega del Chianti” (Chianti League) have been created on the 13th century, and included in the beginning the towns of Castellina, Radda and Gaiole. The Leagues have played an important military and pecuniary role during the big war between Siena and Florence.
Chianti main towns:
Castellina in Chianti
Located in the Province of Siena, this medieval town has its oldest origins in an Etruscan village called Salinvolpe (VII – VI b.C.). The nowadays Castellina has medieval origins and has been an important town at that time. It used to belong to Florentine territory and used to be a military jail on the 12th century. But most of its remaining architecture comes from the 15th, for example the main sight tower, called La Rocca.
Inside La Rocca you can visit an Etruscan Antiquarium and admire an old well built inside it. The church of San Salvatore originally from the 1.500’s has been destroyed during the II World War and rebuilt after that. Anyway, you still can see in the church 13th and 14th centuries frescos, 18th century bells and relics of San Fausto, the protector of Castellina. Another interesting sightseeing in Castellina is Via delle Volte, a medieval trail under the town with military origins.
Surrounding area: you will find some Etruscans tombs like Monte Calvario and Fotnerutoli and many Romanesque churches like San Leonino, Cispiano e San Quirico; Castle of Monternano – 12th century, on the way to Poggibonsi.
You can’t miss, of course, a visit to one of the several wineries and make a tour of the cellars and wine tasting. The town is full of wine shops (called Enoteca) where to taste the local wines and other typical products.
Touristic Info: Comune of Castellina in Chianti – Viale della Rimembranza, 14 – Tel. + 39 0577 742311
Restaurants:
OSTERIA ALLA PIAZZA – Chianti typical cuisine Loc. La Piazza – Tel. +39 0577 733580 Closed on Monday
ANTICA TRATTORIA “LA TORRE” – Antique Chianti typical cuisine Piazza del Comune, 15 – Tel. + 39 0577 740236 Closed on Friday
Radda in Chianti
Located in the Province of Siena, the medieval town of Radda, that used to belong to Florence territory, have never had peace until the end of the Siennese Republic, after the war between the two biggest cities in Tuscany. From the original fortress still stand up the main tower, and part of the surrounding stone walls, that originally have protected the village. Radda still keeps the original structure of a medieval fortified village that has grown around the church of San Nicolò and the 1400’s Podestà building – now municipal building. Among the stony buildings of this cosy town you will find souvenirs shops, wine shops, restaurants, bars and typical products boutiques.
Surroundings: Franciscan Monastery of Santa Maria al Prato from the 10th century; Pieve di Santa Maria Novella, from the 12th century - Romanesque style; Albola castle from the 1000’s; Volpaia hamlet.
Volpaia:
Particularly interesting to visit is the hamlet of Volpaia, from the 12th century. Located 6 km from Radda direction to Greve, this place has only 44 inhabitants. Like Radda, it used to be one of Florence fortresses to defend the territory against Siena. Paradoxally, nowadays either Radda then Volpaia are part of the Province of Siena, but local people still preserve the Florentine accent and customs. In the hamlet you will find a winery that offers many activities like wine + olive oil tour and cooking classes, two restaurants and a wine bar that offers light lunch. Surely a worthy day-trip. Nearby, walking down a gravel road, you can reach an enchantable chapel called Madonna del Fossato, built in the middle of the woods. The Enoteca (wine shop) of the winery is located in the main tower of the hamlet, where you will find on sale a booklet that proposes hiking itineraries from 25 min up to 3 hours. Or, if you are not a sportive person but a wine lover, you can taste a glass of quality Chianti Classico.
Touristic Info: Comune of Radda in Chianti – Piazza Ferrucci, 1 - Tel. +39 0577 738003
Restaurants:
RISTORANTE VIGNALE – Fine Tuscan cuisine Via Pianigiani, 9 Tel. + 39 0577 738701 Closed on Thursday
* LA BOTTEGA – Specialty Chianti roasts and steweds and BAR-UCCI – Wine bar and snacks Loc. Volpaia, Piazza della Torre, 2 – Tel. + 39 0577 738001 Restaurant closed on Tuesday – Bar closed on Monday
* OSTERIA DI VOLPAIA – Fine Tuscan cuisine Loc. Volpaia, Piazza della Torre – Tel. + 39 0577 738905 Closed on Wednesday
(*) Tasted by Tuscan Villas staff
Greve in Chianti
Located a few kilometres south of Florence, Greve is one of the oldest towns in Chianti area. Its origins come from the 11th century with the small hamlet grown around the hill of San Francesco. The territory has been donated to the Monastery of San Salvi, than it became a hospital for pilgrims and in the end of the 14th century it passed to the Order of Saint Francis, where nowadays hosts the Museum of Sacred Art.
The territory of Greve used to be an important communication between via Volterrana (that connected the countryside with the seaside) and via Francigena (that connected Rome to France). Because of that, this town developed as the main activity the commerce. The famous Piazza del Mercato in the centre represents its vocation. Moreover, Greve became the abode for noble Florentine families, that built their majestic villas and country houses. And this fact transformed Greve in a politically important territory.
Economically, Greve region has grown over the wine production, like the whole Chianti, because of the territory hilly structure, that provides a fine quality wine. Already from the 14th century there are documents that mention that the wine from this region was very special. Greve oldest architecture is composed by the building located between the San Francesco Monastery and the Piazza del Mercato. Piazza del Mercato is nowadays the biggest attraction. There are more then 20 restaurants, wine shops, souvenir shops, typical products shops and so on. The traditional street market happens every Saturday, just like in the medieval time, and sometimes different events take place in this enchanting square, like for example old cars meeting.
Every last Sunday of the month takes place at the Piazza del Mercato the fascinating Mercato Biologico - Il Pagliaio. It consists of stands that sell local organic products like cheese, honey, bread, extra virgin olive oil, wine, cakes, marmelades... all delicious products of Tuscany!
On the months of May, June, July and August there is "Stelle & Mercanti", an open market letteraly under the stars, in the evening. It happens on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
On the first weekend of May, opening the Spring, takes place the "Festa dei Fiori" - a flower market that covers the Piazza del Mercato with all its colours and perfumes.
Surroundings: Castello di Uzzano; Castello di Terrazzano; Montefioralle hamlet; Lucolena hamlet; Panzano in Chianti; Castello di Lamole.
Panzano in Chianti:
Located a few km from Greve going down direction to Siena, you will find the small town of Panzano, a charming hamlet built on the top of a hill during the 11th century. The main attraction of this town is the church of San Maria a Panzano, positioned on a dominant location. It has been rebuilt on the end of 19th century over the base of a medieval church and still exposes 13th –14th century artworks.
The village has been controlled by the noble family of the Ricasoli Firidolfi Florentine counts. Panzano, like the other towns described before, has been involved in the war between Florence and Siena for the domination of Chianti territory. Nowadays, pieces of the old walls circuit is still well-preserved and en bloc it is still presented like a medieval ocean-going village.
An interesting touristic point of this town is a butcher shop located down-river, i the opposite side of the square that you see from the “Chiantigiana” road. The butcher makes you taste his typical products, excellent meat matched with the best local wines and other specialties.
Lamole in Chianti:
Actually, there are two different hamlets 1km one from another, located a few km before the entrance of Greve, coming from Siena. The first one is Castello di Lamole, a medieval hamlet built among the woods around the 10th century with a fortress function. The settlement is presented like a group of stony building put together in an elliptical placement, as the buildings themselves formed the defence walls. Together with Panzano, the castle of Lamole has been represented as one of the strongest fortified villages in Chianti area. Nowadays, Castello di Lamole belong to a winery and offers direct sale of typical products, a fine restaurant and hospitality.
Lamole in Chianti, instead, is a village built 1 km higher on the top of a hill, around the small 13th century church of San Donato, rebuilt on the 1900’s. In this village you will find a cosy square where local people promote lots of events, like concerts or wine fairs. And here is located one of the most famous restaurants of Chianti: Il Ristoro do Lamole, that presents the typical “chiantigiana” cuisine. Particullary interesting to visit is the winery Vignamaggio, that hosts other than a vineyard, a beautiful villa where has been shoot the British movie “Much Ado for Nothing” based on the comedy of Shakespeare.
Touristic Info: Chianti & Chianti S.r.l. – Palazzo del Fiorino – Piazza G. Matteotti, 10 – Greve in Chianti Tel. +39 055 8546299 or 287
Restaurants:
* GALLO NERO – Enoteca – Pizzeria – Trattoria Via C. Battisti, 9 – Greve in Chianti Tel. + 39 055 8544802 Closed on Thursday
* RISTORANTE PIZZERIA CONCA D’ORO – Specialty Pizza and Tagliata (grilled steak) Via Chiantigiana, 31 – Panzano in Chianti Tel. + 39 055 852602 Closed on Wednesday / On summer it is opened every day!
RISTORO DI LAMOLE – Famous local restaurant – hand made pasta and panoramic terrace Via Lamole, 6 – Loc. Lamole Tel. + 39 055 8547034 Closed on Wednesday / On summer it is opened every day!
RISTORANTE AIA DEI CANTI – Antique traditional cuisine – Florentine ballad singer Loc. Castello di Lamole Tel. +39 055 8547115 Opened olny for dinner! Closed on Tuesday
(*) Tasted by Tuscan Villas staff
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