Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort Vicchio

Villa Campestri is set in the Tuscan hills, just a stone’s throw from Florence. The Resort, set in the Mugello Valley, traces the history and traditions of Tuscany, a land full of open-air masterpieces and treasures to look for. This is Villa Campestri: a jewel immersed in the Tuscan hills.

With more than 800 years of history, the Villa is testimony to its past and the centuries it has passed through. The Resort, set in Mugello, has changed over time: from a defensive fortress in the Middle Ages it was transformed into a Renaissance Manor House, until it became a Liberty-style Villa between the 19th and 20th centuries.

In one of the richest lands of history and culinary traditions (like Tuscany is) there is a Luxury Resort in the Mugello Valley. Homeland of out-of-the-ordinary beauties and unparalleled landscapes, where history intertwines with poetry, and culinary art with the creativity of a land that has given birth to brilliant men.

In the centuries-old park in the Tuscan hills there are olive groves from which a superior quality Olive Oil is extracted, directly from centenarian trees. The contact with nature is what you will rediscover in our Luxury Resort, through walks in the woods and honey tasting courses where you will learn about the importance of bees, fundamental insects for the ecosystem.

Villa Campestri is the antidote to disconnect from the routine and rediscover a primordial connection with nature and landscape. A Villa taken directly from the flames of the Renaissance, where history becomes the protagonist of your stay, in an oasis of refreshment in the heart of Tuscany.

We adore the soil and the way it smells after a rainfall. We adore the Olive: its round, noble shape and its precious Oil that we obtain at our Olive Oil mill – Olive Oil that you will become familiar with during an Olive Oil tasting experience in the Oleoteca.

We adore the history, the luxury and harmony emanating from every corner of this Renaissance Resort: from the fresco of the private chapel to the tapestries in the sitting rooms with open fireplaces, from the century-old trees in our park to the light-hearted scratching about of chickens in the coop; from the industrious bees of our hives to the fragrance of our vegetable garden where seasonal vegetables are picked to become the fresh ingredients: of our cooking class “Picked and Cooked. The Cuisine of the Vegetable Garden”, or of the food you will savor in our in-house Restaurant L’Olivaia. Villa Campestri is like an Olive. It is a relishable experience.

THE HISTORY
Bringing to life Villa Campestri’s 800 years of history and combining this with its transformation into a luxury Resort was quite an endeavor. It was an endeavor that our family faced with passion, year after year, in order to make Villa Campestri a place where each day of your stay would offer the excitement of entering into an historical context similar to that of the famous Medici Villas that have been declared World Heritage Sites of UNESCO.

Before going down the tree-lined road, you will catch sight of a shrine with a sinopia of the splendid fresco created by the illustrious Lorenzo di Bicci (who probably studied under Spinello Aretino) in the second half of the 1300’s. The original fresco is now in the Beato Angelico Museum of Vicchio.

The manor house that you see today began to take on its present form when the building was enlarged in 1430. It was completed as a Renaissance Villa at the end of the 1600’s. Come into our Restaurant L’Olivaia. In the Sala del Pozzo you can admire an artesian well that goes back to the 13th century when the Villa was a small defensive fortress.

The façade of the building was completed between the end of the 1800’s and the beginning of the 1900’s. Its decorative frieze was painted, it seems, according to a drawing by the famous Michelozzo Michelozzi. As a Florentine Renaissance architect under Cosimo de’ Medici, Michelozzi designed Cafaggiolo Castle and Careggi Villa.

The stained glass windows of some guest rooms, the in-house Restaurant, and the small chapel of the Villa were manufactured in the Chini factory of Borgo San Lorenzo. Galileo Chini, sublime decorator, ceramist, and protagonist of Italian Art Nouveau movement, founded the factory in 1896.

ROOMS & SUITES 
Your experience at Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort will be a private Renaissance. Besides the historical context that will surround you, your Renaissance will occur within the embrace of the gentle Mugello hills and the total relaxation you will consequently experience.

Here you can revel in a magnificent landscape that has made Tuscany renowned. Visits to nearby medieval hamlets will become unique adventures where history, nature, and traditional cuisine will intermingle.

The 25 Guest Rooms of the Resort are arranged according to the original layout of the Renaissance period. The rooms have been carefully restored and furnished with authentic antiques. All of the rooms overlook the century-old park and the breathtaking Mugello Valley.

Some of the Rooms are in the Villa; others are in the adjoining farmhouse (called “Colonica”) and the old “dairy” in front of the Villa (called “Latteria”). Our guests have free access to the park, the pool, the farm area and the olive grove, the vegetable garden, the chicken coop, the beehives, and the children’s recreation area.

All of the Guest Rooms and Suites are equipped with a telephone, minibar, satellite TV, hairdryers, a complimentary set of cosmetics, and comfortable slippers. Guests may choose double or single beds. We also have rooms that are accessible for guests with disabilities.

The gentle hills of Mugello, the fields cultivated with wheat and fodder, vines and olives are the exclusive visiting card to our Guests. A region rich in history, from the Etruscans to the Romans, from the age of the Communes in the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, has held a central importance in Western culture thanks to the boost of a farsighted patronage given by the Medici domination in Florence.

In the wake of the Renaissance, you will discover the peace and sensations of well-being and contact with nature, immersed in a green oasis in a region full of gems to look for and discover: architectural jewels, medieval villages and landscapes that offer a variegated and succulent culinary culture.

Having the Villa Campestri’s Suites as a springboard, you can easily visit all the attractions of the area, stroll through the narrow streets of Florence and admire all its architectural and artistic treasures and enjoy all the charm of villages like Scarperia, counted as one of the most beautiful Villages in Italy, with the Palazzo dei Vicari dating back to 1300, the Museo dei Ferri Taglienti and a recently restored tower clock, by Brunelleschi.

PRESTIGE SUITE
The elegant Prestige Suites overlook the century-old park, the olive grove, or the cypress lined avenue. Each Suite has a spacious bedroom with a double bed and a sunny sitting room with sofas and a coffee table.

Authentic exposed beam ceilings and elegant period furnishings add to the charm of these Suites that can measure 50 sqm (538 sqft) or 60 sqm (645 sqft). The Honeymoon Suite features a lavish 18th century canopy bed. The bathrooms, equipped with a shower, are tiled with the artistic ceramics of the “Antica Manifattura Chini” in Borgo San Lorenzo.

JUNIOR SUITE
An ambiance of bygone days makes our Junior Suites the perfect choice for romantic getaways. All of the Junior Suites have comfortable sitting room corners where guests can relax with splendid views of the park or the olive grove.

Exposed beam or vaulted brick ceilings enhance these suites that are furnished with double beds and unique antiques. Room measurements vary from 45 sqm (484 sqft) to 55 sqm (592sqft). The bathrooms, equipped with a bathtub and/or shower, are tiled with the artistic ceramics of the “Antica Manifattura Chini” in Borgo San Lorenzo.

SUPERIOR DOUBLE ROOM
The Superior Double Rooms revel in splendid views of the Mugello valley, the park, or the olive grove. These bright and spacious rooms are available with either double or single beds. These rooms are furnished with a desk and antiques that highlight the distinctive architectural characteristics of the rooms.

Room measurements vary from 30 to 35 sqm (325 sqft to 376 sqft). The bathrooms, equipped with a bathtub or shower, are tiled with the artistic ceramics of the “Antica Manifattura Chini” in Borgo San Lorenzo.

APARTMENTS
The ideal solution for a group of friends or a family with children. These original and comfortable Apartments have splendid views of the park, the olive grove, or the typical rural courtyard. Each one consists of a master bedroom with a double bed, another bedroom with two single beds, and a bathroom.

A fireplace and a 16th century wardrobe are antique elements that blend with the elegant period furnishings of these apartments that measure approximately 55 sqm (592 sqft). The bathrooms, equipped with a bathtub or shower, are tiled with the artistic ceramics of the “Antica Manifattura Chini” in Borgo San Lorenzo.

L’OLIVAIA RESTAURANT 
In the environment of Villa Campestri you can rediscover the sense of time and tradition through the L’Olivaia Restaurant: slowly savors the dishes prepared with raw materials at zero km.

Rediscover the rhythm of Nature when the cycle of the earth used to mark the day, as in the old farmhouses where everything revolved around the vegetable garden and the succession of the seasons. Take a moment of slow living from the daily grind, and re-learn to taste genuine food of the past mixed with the creativity of the modern time.

The combination of tradition and innovation gives life to an experimental and dynamic cuisine, in which the Olive Oil of Fattoria di Campestri, obtained from centuries-old olive groves, is the absolute protagonist of the dishes offered by the L’Olivaia Restaurant in Mugello.

The dishes on the menu of the Restaurant L’Olivaia often change. There are evenings dedicated to typical Tuscan cuisine, pizza cooked in a 1600s wood-burning oven, fresh fish . Whatever the theme of the evening will be, we promise you an unforgettable experience! For questions or further information, write us an email to villa.campestri@villacampestri.it

Simplicity is a must when mastering the subtle techniques of fine cooking. Simplicity means only the essentials, and the quality of fresh produce. It means tradition infused with creative intuition.

It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the sensuous dining experiences of L’Olivaia Restaurant prove that an excellent Olive Oil can radically transform the taste and quality of a meal.
So why not discover this first-hand? You have two choices: the “Live Olive Oil” menu or the “Olive Oil and tradition” menu.

A slow approach is the chief feature of Villa Campesti’s kitchen. Here, slow cooking on the wood fire and low temperatures release the most intense flavors of food. Slow is applied to many aspects of our food: homemade bread is left to rise slowly, and there is no rush in the creation of jams, preserves, and honey.

Our restaurant uses only fresh seasonal foods that come either directly from our estate or from nearby farms that practice free-range breeding. Quality is the prime element of our cuisine. Genuine products is the starting point from which our Restaurant sets out to make guests enjoy a journey through the flavors of Tuscany.

The wisdom of Tuscan cuisine lies in the use of vegetables to create unforgettable recipes. That is why we offer, alongside meat and fish, vegetarian dishes created with organic grains, and fruit and vegetables from our farm.

Wine is another great protagonist in the L’Olivaia Restaurant in Mugello. How could it not be? In a land that has a centuries-old vocation of wines, it is not difficult to find a list of good local wines.

A list, however, of new talents in wine making is something special. Selected by our wine scout, these up-and-coming wines are a feature that will make your visit to our Restaurant worthwhile.

Unforgettable rendezvous are easy to come by at L’Olivaia Restaurant. The Restaurant of Villa Campestri will accompany, with taste and refinement, your holidays inside the Resort.
Make a reservation for one of our “exploration of taste” menus that wed excellent Olive Oil with unusual ingredients:

• Olive Oil and beer;
• Olive Oil and chocolate;
• Fish combined with exotic fruit and Olive Oil.

The result? Try it and discover if it is true love. Do not separate what Olive Oil has combined!

THE OLEOTECA
Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort is the first of its kind in the world. Here the privilege of living in the luxury of a Renaissance estate in the heart of Mugello is combined with the sensory pleasures that excellence in Olive Oil provides.

Our Olive Oil comes from the careful cultivation of century-old olive groves and by olives that are cold extracted in our olive mill. With cruet in hand come and savor different Olive Oils during an Olive Oil Tasting Seminar in the Oleoteca.

The Oleoteca is a unique place where we have developed methods for the production and preservation of Olive Oil that have been adopted by award winning restaurants around the world. Would you like to know more about what is happening at the Villa Campestri Oleoteca? Continue reading and discover a new world beyond the boundary of taste.

The sensory seminar in Oil tasting that we offer at the Villa Campestri Oleoteca revives traces of a forgotten age-old culture which now flourishes thanks to the studies and perseverance of the owner of Villa Campestri, Paolo Pasquali.

During the seminar you will learn how to smell, taste, and observe in order to discover the incredible flavors of fine Olive Oils. You will learn the true meaning of “extra virgin” as well as how to describe it correctly with terms such as “fruity”, “bitter”, and “spicy”.

You will discover how to recognize a defective Oil from a good one as well as how to correctly combine specific Olive Oils with different foods in order to transform a simple dish into something extraordinary.

During the oil tasting seminar as well as in the L’Olivaia Restaurant you may happen to notice an interesting dispenser. This dispenser is OliveToLive – a patented apparatus created by Paolo Pasquali that preserves the organoleptic properties of Olive Oil so that its flavor will always seem freshly pressed.

This exclusive system of Olive Oil preservation can be found in the most exclusive Restaurants of the world. It is quickly becoming a worldwide treasure chest of quality Olive Oil.

After you have learned to appreciate the sensory properties of Olive Oil in the Oleoteca, you can continue your journey into the culture of Olive Oil by savoring the dishes of our Restaurant L’Olivaia. Here you will find menus that only offer excellence. Would you like to take a look at a menu?

How about Fresh Nettle Dumplings with Cosimo’s Olive Oil served on a fondue of grana cheese or Fan-shaped Duck Breast playfully prepared with 3 different Olive Oils and caramelized shallots?

Complete your full immersion in the world of Olive Oil with a visit to the century-old olive grove of the Villa. Our Olives are cultivated organically; they are hand harvested and then crushed the same day in our Oil mill.

THE OLIVE GROVE
There are many centenarians at Villa Campestri. They are our Olive trees. These strong healthy trees thrive, some for hundreds of years, thanks to the hillside location and an ideal soil for the cultivation of olives.

Woods nearby the groves create a microclimate that makes it possible for us to avoid phytosanitary treatment of our plants and hence produce organic superior quality extra virgin olive oil. Our olives are hand harvested and then pressed the same day in our Oil mill.

The olive groves cover 7 hectares which are cultivated with a variety of olive trees such as the Frantoio, Moraiolo, Leccino, Pendolino, and Correggiolo trees. There are also small quantities of Leccio del Corno and Piangente cultivars – two ancient olive tree varieties that are on the brink of extinction.

THE PARK
Our century-old park talks about us and leaves you speechless. Maintaining without transforming or distorting: this is our guiding principal in the care of our century-old park. As an essential part of our home, it is a fundamental element of identity and charm.

In this corner of Mugello where Nature has remained intact, plants flourish, some for hundreds of years. Their intermingling corresponds to the essential nature of this territory.

Thus century-old olive groves, that produce a superior quality of Olive Oil, grow harmoniously beside arable fields, and woods of mixed vegetation where you can find chestnut, oak, wild cherry, maple, alder, hazel, and hornbeam trees. What could you do in our splendid park?

• Dive into the pool that is nestled in the green and relish the magnificent view of the Mugello valley below.
• Take a walk and discover the essence and peculiarities of the natural flora.
• Trekking on the grounds: follow one of the four marked routes that we have created for our guests and you will discover one that leads through the woods to a panoramic view of the Mugello valley or another that leads to refreshing springs that come from Monte Giovi.
• Truffling. A truffle hunter and his dog will accompany and teach you to unearth this precious fungus that transforms the most simple dish into a delicacy.
• Indulge in an Olive Oil massage under the shade of our olive grove and absorb all of the regenerating energy of these ancient plants.
• Take a ride on a mountain bike and experience the rolling hills and ancient hamlets.
• Take a mini-course on bees and learn how honey as well as the process of pollination, which pollution and monoculture farming endanger, is important for our health and our world.
• Take a painting class. The surrounding vegetation will provide the context for your lesson with a maestro d’arte who is specialized in 14th century (Giotto’s era) painting techniques.
• Take part in the activities of our SPO (Salus per Oleum): Fitness Yoga, a yoga trail in the garden during which you will practice “Breath Walking”, a discipline that focuses on combining breathing and movement, Asana positions, Stretching and relaxation.
• Earthing, soak up the energy of the earth through your feet. Precise concentration techniques can help us find an awareness of our freedom, essence, and body in every step that places us in contact with the earth. Accumulated tensions are left behind and every cell of our bodies is recharged with pure energy.
• Try out our Nature Gym: gardening activities and a hoe will become an interesting way to practice fitness in complete communion with Nature.

THE POOL & THE PANORAMIC TERRACE
The bright sky that you admire while you relax in our pool is the same one that inspired artists such as Giotto and Beato Angelico. There is nothing unusual, therefore, if the moments that you spend in this luminous and serene place are linked to something poetic or inspiring.

Ancient green trees and an extraordinary view of the Mugello Valley add to these feelings as your eyes scan the Tuscan hills and their colors that change throughout the day. Take a dip in the pool in the evening beneath a starry sky. The magic of this experience will be enriched with a basket of cantucci (typical Tuscan almond cookies) that will be served with Vin Santo.

We may serve you something similar to this or something completely different when you arrive. We believe in these small gestures of hospitality that accompany seasons, time, or whatever each moment inspires. We adore pampering our guests.

With its unique view over the green sea of Nature of the Mugello Valley, our large terrace is a stage where every occasion becomes unforgettable: breakfast with homemade bread and cakes, candlelit dinners, special events that we will organize with pleasure, family gatherings, and business meetings.

EVENTS & CERIMONIES
Not a single day passes at Villa Campestri without someone in the family proposing a new idea. At times, these ideas are quite revolutionary like “OliveToLive”, our patented system for the preservation of Olive Oil, that has been adopted by fine Restaurants all over the world.

This system has made us protagonists of new ways of thinking about taste. At times, our ideas are so original that they end up creating new trends. Villa Campestri offers countless events.

The olive tree symbolizes robustness and longevity with its strong roots often secular and the difficulty of eradicating something that dwells deep: a promise, a commitment, an intent. Inspired by the versatility of this plant, we propose the Olive Tree Ritual Union, officiated by an expert in symbolic unions.

The Olive Tree Ritual Union is a symbolic celebration that takes place in our century-old olive grove. During this ceremony, which is unofficial, words are spoken freely and Olive tree related objects are exchanged to seal a union between two people.

This moving event is a novelty at the same time that it is somehow antique. Emotions flow freely and intensely, and everything that occurs makes the event more memorable than “official” occasions.

We organize many other unforgettable events in the beautiful setting of our Villa. Events are unforgettable for the elegance of our organization and attention to detail; they are unforgettable for the unique sophistication of our Restaurant, L’Olivaia, which is always attentive to eco-friendly trends and new ways of thinking about taste.

Perhaps we have become memorable for the many team-building activities that we propose. These activities help companies to consolidate group potentials with work that “gets in touch with the earth”.

In which way? It’s very simple. We give gardening spades to the people of the team and then we send them out in the fields to plant Olive trees. Working together and sharing earthy rituals may seem a bit “pagan” but it really works.

MEETINGS & TEAM BUILDING 
Villa Campestri is the ideal place for organizing meetings, conference and educational meetings for training. With its 3 meeting rooms, and its location in the Mugello Valley, immersed in the green of the rolling Tuscan hills, it is the perfect setting for organizing events characterized by good taste, refinement and originality; the naturalistic background is a spectacular landscape, away from the chaos of the city.

You will definitely be immersed in nature. An opportunity to organize an event in a prestigious environment, and also focus on personal growth. In fact, there are activities such as:

• Olive Oil Tasting Seminar;
• Cooking classes;
• Riding lessons;
• Visits our farm;
• Trekking in the park.

The ability to carry out many activities in a valuable context is the strength of Villa Campestri, which makes it suitable for organizing team building activities and business dinners and / or lunches to reinforce and develop the empathy and the bond within a group. All this will make your stay an opportunity of personal and collective growth.

EXPERIENCES
Do you adore the refined charm of a historic Resort in the Tuscan hills as well as picking vegetables for a Tuscan ribollita that you will prepare with our Chef? Can you imagine leaving a pool reflecting Giotto’s sky and finding yourself in the middle of a wine tour?

You may find our Restaurant L’Olivaia unmatchable and at the same time you will think that no other experience can compare to our Olive Oil Tasting Seminarin the Oleoteca. Welcome to Villa Campestri, where incongruity is a virtue that we offer in more than 28 activities from which you can choose. Come and immerge yourself in a unique experience of “Tuscanitude”.

VISIT THE FARM
Beehives, hens, olive groves, vegetable garden, and orchards: your renaissance starts from the earth. If you live in the city perhaps you have never held a warm, freshly laid egg. Perhaps you don’t even know the difference between a cabbage and a cauliflower.

You probably have never hugged an Olive tree that has reached the venerable age of 300 years. Maybe the moment has arrived for you to look around our farm at the Olive grove, the vegetable garden, the chicken coop, the beehives, and the orchards.

You can do it on your own, together with a companion, or with children whenever you want. We just ask you to be quiet and respect the hens, Ettore the rooster, and nature.

TREKKING IN THE PARK
Villa Campestri is surrounded by a majestic park that covers hills and consists of a century-old olive grove, a bamboo grove, fields, streams, and country paths. Nothing is tiring in this setting, especially if your objective is to reach either a hamlet at the top of a hill, an ancient oak under which you will do a bit of stretching, or a stream in which you can refresh your feet.

What type of a walk attracts you most? Take a look at our menu and check out the 4 marked trekking routes: you may choose one that leads through the woods to Cantalupo, a locality with a panoramic view of the Mugello valley, or another that leads to refreshing springs that come from Monte Giovi.

GOLF CLUB POGGIO DEI MEDICI
Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort is just a few kilometres drive from the Golf Club Poggio dei Medici. The 18-hole, par 73 course was designed by Baldovino Dassù and architect Alvise Rossi Fioravanti to United States Golf Association (USGA) standard. Opened in 1995, the course measures 6,397 metres and is open all year round. A PGA Professional is available for private lessons.

MEDICI VILLAS TOUR
Powerful, ambitious, impassioned with culture and science, the Medici family (that produced 3 Popes and 2 Queens of France) exercised its enlightened sovereignty in Tuscany from the 15th to the 17th century.

Direct evidence of their extraordinary feats can be seen in the Medici Villas that Unesco recognized in 2013 as part of its cultural heritage. The architecture of these buildings is the highest expression of Humanism and Renaissance values of harmony, eurythmics, and measurement.

Various moments in the history of the Medici family are woven into the history of Villa Campestri. The owners of this estate during the Medici era, the noble Roti Michelozzi family, were on familiar terms with the Medici family. There is an intriguing episode related to Villa Campestri.

On February 27th, 1573 the natural son of Giacomo Boncompagni was born at Campestri. Boncompagni was the legitimate son of Pope Gregory XIII; his godmother was Isabella de’ Medici and his godfather was Cardinal Ferdinando I de’ Medici. Interestingly, the baby’s father, Giacomo Boncompagni, was the last son of a Pope to be declared legitimate before the Reformation of the Church.

THE CHOCOLATE ROUTE
You don’t have to be a gourmand in order to adore chocolate. Whatever level of passion you may have for this divine food, don’t miss this opportunity of discovering and tasting the world of chocolate making in an artisan chocolate making business of Tuscany that boasts centuries of experience and fame.

Our visit will be a fascinating voyage where the procedures and “secrets” of chocolate making will be revealed. This business uses cocoa that comes from the finest cultivations of the world. At first toasted cocoa beans are winnowed until they become cocoa nibs.

The process continues until there is a chocolate mass that is refined and then melted to create various types of chocolate. Here you will taste pralines, chocolate bars, chocolate creams, and drink hot or cold chocolate.

The dark chocolate of this business has won prestigious prizes throughout the years. Take a look at these chocolate tasting “menus” in order to have a foretaste of a mouth-watering tour. Which would you choose?

HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS
Recent studies have demonstrated that horseback riding has an incredibly beneficial effect, not only on our bodies that become slimmer, but also on our moods. It appears that whenever we sit on one of these animals our bodies release large amounts of endorphins, our hormones of well-being.

And this can happen to anyone, whether they are beginner or expert riders, or whether they prefer trotting to a more adventurous gallop. This probably occurs because wherever we go with a horse is a destination that brings us closer to ourselves.

NATURE GYM
Did you know that a day of gardening or rural work is equivalent to 3 days in the gym? Maybe the time has come for you to change your ideas about fitness. In our gym, light, temperature, and sounds change throughout the day and the name of your personal trainer is Mother Nature.

It’s incredible how the simple act of putting our bare feet on the ground can give us such a sense of well-being. We feel a harmony with the magnetism of the earth, and we release all of our pent up tensions. If you add a well-structured course to all of this, you will discover that with feet firmly planted on the ground you will touch the sky with a finger.

TRUFFLING
You will find this out during a unique experience – a walk through the woods of the estate with a truffle hunter and his dog. Immerged in nature, with its slow and reflective rhythms, you will learn to use your sight, intuition, and sense of smell to unearth this delicacy.

The oak woods surrounding Villa Campestri offer an ideal environment for the growth of truffles. In fact, you will find them near the roots of the oak trees with which truffles establish a symbiotic relationship.

What types of truffles could you find? During the winter and springtime you can find the “bianchetto” or “marzolino” truffles. The black summer truffle “scorzone” can be found from the beginning of June to the end of autumn. From September until the end of winter it is possible to find excellent black truffles as well as the precious white ones.

COOKING CLASSES
If you think that cooking is a way to discover and reveal your personality, we agree with you. Our exclusive Tuscan cuisine classes tackle various issues so that you can learn to create with precision the dishes that attract you most. During these classes you will feel free to use your creative touch as well as to communicate your vision of cooking.

Unlike many Chefs that never reveal their secrets, our Chef Cristian Borchi, is an exception to the rule. He is willing to share the secrets of his creative touch in first-rate cuisine. He is also happy to nourish your culinary talents with a brief and intense 2 hour course in Villa Campestri’s spacious kitchen.

You may choose between two options: one lesson on one topic, or five lessons on five different mornings. Thanks to these Tuscan cooking lessons, and the advice of our chef, you will learn to create traditional dishes of this rich and extraordinary land. Examine the specifics of these cooking classes and choose the ones that interest you most. Enjoy!

WINE TOUR
If you have not tasted the wine of this region, you cannot say that you have been to Tuscany. That is why we have decided to organize a captivating wine tour for our guests so that they can discover the art of wine making in this area. The tour will visit Chianti Rufina wine makers.

Are you ready for a day that will spark your enthusiasm? Keep your 5 senses alert to explore the production and refining of great, soul inspiring wines that are esteemed the world over. You will taste the fruit of the experience and passion of those who have dedicated their lives to this art for generations.

Just as wine can differ from one year to the next, even the wine makers that you will visit will change with each tour. This is because there are many fine wine makers in this area and we cannot visit them all. Our wine talent scout also enjoys suggesting new emerging talent in wine making. Furthermore, our tours are never prepackaged; they can respond to your specific needs.

Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort is in Mugello, a place that is not only famous because Giotto and Beato Angelico were born here, but also for its production of quality wine such as Chianti Rufina.

Just a few kilometers from the Villa, in fact, there is valley where one of the most important wines of Tuscany is produced: Chianti Rufina. Chianti Rufina is a DOCG wine (acronym for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita – “Controlled Designation of Origin” a quality assurance label for wine in Italy) that can be produced only in the province of Florence, in the district of Rufina and its surrounding areas.

Rufina is a small area of the Chianti which includes districts on the hills east of Florence: Dicomano, Londa, Rufina, Pelago, and Pontassieve. In 1716 Cosimo III de’ Medici counted this area in his “Bando del vino” (wine announcement) as one of the most important wine making areas, along with Greve in Chianti and Carmignano, of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

The Chianti Rufina wine road is about 10 kilometers from Villa Campestri. The wine produced in this area has typical organoleptic qualities. Chianti Rufina wines are obtained from grape varieties that have been declared and selected according to commercial requirements.

These grape varieties are: Sangiovese, Canaiolo nero, Trebbiano Toscano, and Malvasia del Chianti. Other types of recommended and authorized red grapes may be utilized as long as they do not exceed 10% of the wine.

Some of these are the so-called autochthonous varieties; others are international, such as Cabernet-Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. If a Chianti Rufina wine is aged for at least two years, with six months in the cask and three in the bottle, it receives the title of “Riserva”, Reserve.

CHEESE EXCURSION
One of the most ancient human activities is pastoral farming. A legendary episode in the life of Giotto recounts that while he was supposed to be guarding a flock of sheep, he was instead very intent on a freehand drawing of a perfect circle on a stone.

Legend has it that Cimabue, who happened to be passing through Vicchio di Mugello at that moment, noticed him and immediately recognized his artistic genius. Giotto, afterwards, became a part of Cimabue’s studio.

We will focus on the art of cheese making during our visit to a farm that boasts a tradition in the making of fresh cheeses, a tradition that has been passed down from father to son.

During this full immersion we will follow the process that starts with fresh unpasteurized milk and finishes with three cheeses: raveggiolo, pecorino, and ricotta. We will also have the privilege of tasting each cheese the moment it is ready.

Raveggiolo is the first cheese that will be prepared. The milk is inoculated with a thermophilic cheese making culture, salt, and natural rennet and then cooked in a large pot. When the milk reaches a specific temperature, it begins to curdle.

With the help of a perforated spoon the curd will be transferred to molds and left for excess whey to drain off. Nothing else is necessary in the preparation of a fresh and delicate raveggiolo. It is ready to be tasted.

The procedure for preparing pecorino comes after the preparation of the raveggiolo. Residual curds are manually broken into small pieces with a curd knife. The curd is then placed in molds and vigorously pressed to eliminate whey, and then to be tasted. However, this time the fresh pecorino cheese will be slightly salted and will take on the name “primo sale”, or “first salting”.

MOUNTAIN BIKE
With the complimentary mountain bikes that Villa Campestri provides its guests, you can enjoy the natural beauty, history, and art of the Mugello Valley. The following itineraries are just examples of routes that were planned by a specialized tour guide in mountain biking.

The routes correspond to three levels of difficulty so that everyone, experts, beginners, and families, can experience the beauty of our countryside. Itineraries may be personalized according to your specific needs.

Have you ever heard the story of the famous circle that Giotto drew freehand with masterful ease? You can face this panoramic excursion of the hills surrounding Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort with pleasure and the same ease.

Blessed are those who can reach the stunning Medici castles of Trebbio and Cafaggiolo after a few gentle slopes and with a bit of sweat on the forehead. They will feel like travelers in ancient times who had the pleasure of admiring this renowned countryside and its places of historical and architectural interest.

The Medici family, powerful, proud, passionate conquerors. In name of this local family, we propose our third excursion. This intense and exciting excursion is a small challenge that must be faced with resolution as well as with healthy discernment. If muscles and breath are not up to the challenge, just ask for a softer version.

MUGELLO CIRCUIT
The history of the Mugello Circuit at Scarperia, which dates back to 1914, entered its first golden age in the 1920’s, when the leading motor sportsmen of the day challenged each other in official competition. Originally conceived as a road circuit, the Mugello road race was interrupted at the outbreak of the World War I.

The challenging and selective competition knew its golden years in the postwar period, when the best drivers challenged one another on the 66 km. Dusty track, which went from Scarperia uphill to Firenzuola, and then through the Futa Pass downhill to San Piero and Scarperia.

The legendary names linked to this historical race still echo today: Campari, Brilli Peri, Enzo Ferrari (who won in 1921 on an Alfa Romeo class 4.500), Ascari, Borzacchini and perhaps, most importantly, Emilio Materassi, the local idol.

Today the International Mugello Circuit attracts attention not only because of the Italian Grand Prix class 125 cc, 250 cc, MotoGP (competing respectively on 20, 21 and 23 laps), but thanks also to the fact that the track is open to the public, giving those who wish to experience the thrill of driving on a major international autodrome the chance to do so.

The allure of the Mugello district is not limited to its splendid natural setting and rich history of folklore! Today the area is known, first and foremost, for one of the chief attractions in the eyes of car and motorcycle racing aficionados: the Mugello International Racing Circuit hosts over the first weekend in June the most important motorcycle racing event in Italy: the Italian Grand Prix, a must-see event for motor racing enthusiasts.

But the racetrack, owned by Ferrari, hosts from late March to early October several other motorcycling and car racing events, as well as F1 tests of the Ferrari and other racing teams, which may occasionally be open to spectators.

Rooms: 26

Price: from 105 EUR per night

Source: www.villacampestri.com