Villa Le Calvane Chianti

Under the patronage of passionate and charismatic partners known for their devotion to quality and exquisite estates throughout the world, The Estate of Villa Le Calvane has been reborn as a uniquely luxurious boutique 5 Star Hotel catering to the most discerning of travellers.

Restored to its original beauty, the Villa captures the splendour of the Renaissance era in which it was built, now finished with the finest amenities.

The Resort offers accommodation in 12 of the most spacious and elegantly decorated suites in Chianti, as well as an independent serviced residence, Villa Tornabuoni, consisting of 3 bedrooms, a living room and fully equipped kitchen.

The resort features a magnificent infinity edge pool, a whirlpool, a children’s pool and a fitness area for use by all our guests. The Estate is situated in Tuscany’s agricultural heartland allowing guests to indulge in an exciting voyage in Tuscan cuisine, born out of the freshest local ingredients.

The restaurant offers a fine array of authentic flavours, tasteful food preparation and innovative cuisine sure to delight the more exquisite palate. The chic lobby bar is the perfect place to enjoy some of the finest premium spirits from around the world.

Our Tuscan inspired wine cellar is the ideal venue for tasting the highest quality wines of the Chianti region produced by our winery and other local producers. Guests will be immersed in understated luxury and sublime charm created through a perfect balance between tradition and modernity. Villa Le Calvane is truly an embodiment of the best that Italy has to offer.

HISTORY
Villa Le Calvane sits perched on the Montagnana Val di Pesa hills in the heart of Tuscany, 20 kilometres from Florence, neighboring the legendary Castle of Montegufoni. The earliest records date back to 1135, when the Florentines destroyed the castle of Montegufoni and seized the surrounding properties, including the Le Calvane estate.

In 1305, Leo Acciaioli built the Church of Santa Maria Nuova in Montegufoni and the Oratory of Our Lady of the Snows on the spot where the hotel currently stands; traces of these buildings remained up until the 18th century, but they have now been demolished.

From 1325 the Oratory of Le Calvane was the home of world renowned painting, “Madonna and Child”, by Lippo di Benivieni, one of the most important Tuscan artists of the 14th century. The painting was kept in the chapel of Le Calvane up until 1709 and is now in the Museum of Montespertoli.

THE CALVANE FAMILY
The name Le Calvane dates back to 1427, when Calvano di Luca Calvanesi became the owner and established himself as a producer of wine and olive oil. The property remained in the Calvanesi family until 1569.

In 1683 Donato Acciaioli, one of the most powerful families in Florence and all of Italy, regained possession of Le Calvane and the castle of Montegufoni, which had belonged to his ancestors in previous centuries.

In 1815 Le Calvane was bought by Matteo de Frescobaldi, who resumed the traditional wine and oil production for which the estate has become renowned over the years. The fertile soil and favourable position have combined since ancient times to favour the production of fine aromatic olive oil and other exquisite agricultural products.

FROM THE WAR TO PRESENT DAY
In 1942, several hundred paintings from the Uffizi, the Pitti and other galleries, including Botticelli’s Primavera and works by Michelangelo, were hidden here to save them from the perils of war.

None of the paintings were damaged, except for a large, circular painting by Ghirlandaio which the German troops used as a dining table as they passed through on their way from Montegufoni. The paintings were returned safely to their respective galleries in 1945.

In 1980 Le Calvane was bought by a Swiss family who convinced famous winemaker Vittorio Fiore to return to Italy, where he remained at Le Calvane until 2005, establishing the reputation of the wine production.

Following the departure of the oenologist the family let most of the vineyards to their neighbours, the Frescobaldis, who used the grapes to produce wines sold under their own label.

In 2011 Le Calvane was sold again, this time to a small group of international entrepreneurs and local aficionados of the history of Le Calvane, who were aware of the specific features of the location and vinification methods, and recognised their potential.

Once the purchase was complete, the new owners invited Vittorio Fiore to return, and he commenced a strategic replanting process over several hectares, using mainly Merlot and Cabernet grapes. Today many of the wines are still produced under Vittorio’s watchful eye.

Le Calvane has come to be associated with both its quality product label and holidays steeped in the heart and soul of Tuscany and its history. Innovation, simplicity, authenticity and tradition are our fundamental values.

Le Calvane wines reflect these values and those of our winemaker, Vittorio Fiore; a leading international wine expert, who embodies our quest for excellence.

LOCATION
With all the services provided, Villa Le Calvane is the perfect gateway for visiting the nearby cities of Florence, Pisa and Siena, the most famous Chianti labels and the picturesque villages of San Gimignano, Monteriggioni and Volterra. Ideally located in the centre of Tuscany, any destination is just a short drive away.

SUITES
The suites at Le Calvane Villa are some of the most spacious rooms available in the Chianti region, and are ideal for a comfortable, relaxing stay within easy reach of Florence, Siena and the beauties of Tuscany. The 12 rooms are stylishly furnished with elegant touches and details, each decorated in its own distinctive style.

We offer four types of suites, each decorated in a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary, where understated luxury and a sublime charm offer a perfect balance of traditional and modern design.

VILLA TORNABUONI
A magnificent residence with unrivalled panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside. Villa Tornabuoni is designed for those who prefer spacious accommodation when vacationing and consider privacy and comfort as essential. This is the ideal solution for families or couples wishing to share a holiday villa in Tuscany.

In addition to the full services of the hotel, guests of Villa Tornabuoni may also hire a dedicated chef and staff for the Villa or simply enjoy the same services we extend to our hotel guests. The three first-floor bedrooms are all en-suite; with one connecting double bathroom to ensure family privacy.

The building and furnishings are superlative, with a separate entrance to a spacious, solid-wood and marble kitchen, furnished in contemporary style and equipped with a large breakfast table and all essential appliances.

The elegant, traditional style dining room contains a 12-seat dining table that can also be used as a meeting room. The Villa also features an extra large living room with an oversized fireplace creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The garden with adjacent patio provides a restful setting where guests can relax surrounded by stunning views of the Chianti countryside.

TWO-BEDROOM SUITES
These large suites were designed for families or groups of friends travelling together. Each room is peaceful and tranquil with a level of comfort that feels like home.

Neutral tones prevail in these rooms, where oak flooring and exposed ceiling beams combine with the white, pale grey and ochre shades of the furniture, curtains and bedlinens.

The spacious bathrooms have grey and white marble fittings and understated but exclusive furnishings. Large showers that can accommodate up to two people at a time. Each of our connecting suites feature double bathrooms, one per room.

EXECUTIVE SUITES
Each executive suite includes a spacious lounge area and an exquisite bedroom complete with every comfort to guarantee an enjoyable stay. The furniture is hand-selected with a charming balance of classic and modern styling.

Guests can wake up in the tranquil setting of the countryside with breath-taking panoramic views of the Chianti landscape, immersed in the utmost of modern comforts and amenities. A suite of incredible proportions to give you the luxury of space throughout your stay.

Each executive suite consists of two sections with separate entrances, or access to the balcony: a light, spacious lounge area (approx. 40m2) leading into a prestigious bedroom containing a large, comfortable double bed, complete with every comfort to guarantee an enjoyable stay.

Each suite features a handy desk, spacious balcony and exclusive seating; a splendid fireplace is available in some of the suites. The bathing area is also extremely spacious, comfortable and practical, with a large shower and elegant marble finishing.

JUNIOR SUITES
A union of comfort and elegance, our junior suites are designed to provide generous spaces enhanced with tasteful finishes.

Each junior suite is thoughtfully decorated to bring together the past and the present, the classic and the modern, in perfect harmony, reflected in the abundance of elegant details and finishing touches and the combination of fine materials.

Our junior suites provide ample space for guests to organize their stay the way they like it: a large living room with seating area and desk, flat-screen TV and a well-stocked minibar. Some junior suites also have a fireplace.

To ensure a restful and rejuvenating sleep we have selected the most comfortable double-height mattresses, craftsman-made from superior materials. All suites have satin bedsheets made of Egyptian cotton.

Our carefully-designed bathrooms are spacious and include elegant décor and furnishings. All bathrooms have marble finishings and are crafted in a variety of colours and designs.

LA TERRAZZA RESTAURANT
Seamlessly flowing from the warm reception area is the onsite restaurant headed by the hotel’s Michelin Star trained executive chef, renowned for his traditional Italian cuisine. Seasonal menus are revised daily to incorporate the finest local ingredients and our chef’s inspirations.

Innovative in simplicity yet genuine by tradition, each dish exquisitely captures the essence of Tuscan cuisine, taking guests on an enticing culinary journey.

Meals can be enjoyed in the Villa’s grand dining area where the décor elegantly captures the Estate’s noble heritage or on the large terrace to further indulge the senses with stunning views of the vibrant countryside.

Authenticity and creativity are at the heart of each dish. Seasonal menus are designed to reflect the region’s unique gastronomic heritage and vibrant culinary culture with every meal will featuring the best of the region and Italy.

Homemade pasta, locally sourced meat, the freshest seafood complimented with local organic produce and estate grown olive oil are sure to delight the most discerning pallets.

Without question, Villa Le Calvane is extremely conscientious of dietary restrictions and preferences, offering specially designed dishes suitable for gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and other dietary preferences.

WINE BAR
Converted from what was once the kitchen of the Villa, the chic lobby bar is centered around the large fireplace that once served as the main cooking area to the estate.

The space has now been completely revitalized into a richly appointed locale, ideal to rendezvous with friends, family or other discerning guests to sample the wines from our cellar or enjoy the finest premium spirits from around the world.

WINERY
Our winery produces a wide range of fine wines, including Chianti DOCG, Chianti Riserva DOCG, IGT Colli della Toscana Centrale and IGT Toscana. We also produce grappa, fine extra virgin olive oil and vin santo – perfect to pair with the traditional local cantucci biscuits.

The winery is located within the estate and neighbouring properties and covers over 500 hectares of the hilly Tuscan landscape, where Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot grapes are cultivated.

The vinification process, which is carried out in our own cellars, is designed to preserve the integrity and quality of the grapes, combining the traditional wine-producing expertise of winemaker Vittorio Fiore with the latest equipment, technology and techniques.

Formal wine tastings are held regularly at the Estate, or you can enjoy these products any time in our restaurant or Lobby Bar, or sip a glass by the pool or in the privacy of your own room.

CELEBRATIONS
Celebrate those important occasions in your life at the ancestral Villa Le Calvane; choose from three enchanting old buildings – the restaurant and wine cellars, the spacious and private Villa Tornabuoni, or the great hall and terrace of the old barn; the perfect venues for special events such as weddings, christenings, confirmations, graduation parties, anniversaries, society launches and other special occasions.

WEDDINGS IN FLORENCE
Charming, picturesque scenery and an historic stately villa that’s been converted into a magnificent, luxurious residence – the perfect setting for a wedding day to remember.

Villa Le Calvane is a prestigious villa that hosts exclusive weddings in the magnificent surroundings of Tuscany’s Chianti region. A luxury property nestled amongst olive groves and vineyards, with refined, elegant furnishing and precious details to immortalize every moment of your day.

Our 5-star staff, including catering experts and wedding planners, are at your service to attend to any request you might have for your dream wedding in Tuscany.

We have a small consecrated church in the vicinity where marriages can be conducted with a religious ceremony or the halls of the villa can be adapted for civil wedding ceremonies.

ELEGANCE AND CHARM IN THE DETAILS
Lavish banquets as part of wedding celebrations can be organized indoors or outdoors at the Resort or Villa Tornabuoni. Charming Tuscan rooms are available with direct access to the garden and a well-lit porch featuring the picturesque natural setting of the surrounding landscape.

MEETINGS & EVENTS
Villa le Calvane is capable of hosting many different kinds of event, large or small. Tasting sessions, lunches, dinners, brunches, breakfast meetings, private parties and all kinds of celebrations can hosted in exclusive location deep in the lush green Chianti hills of Tuscany.

The perfect facility for hosting corporate events, with spacious, fully-furnished and equipped meeting rooms; the ideal solution for business meetings, motivational events, training days and strategy meetings.

The spaces inside the villa are particularly accommodating and practical for any type of business or trade event, such as gala dinners, product launches, fashion shows and workshops with lunch and coffee breaks, all organized in spacious rooms equipped with every convenience, to accommodate up to 350 people.

The Villa Le Calvane complex is the ideal setting for all kinds of parties. Private parties, birthday celebrations, graduation parties and society launches all become moments to remember, enhanced by the central location of the villa rooted in the heart of Tuscany. A dream location surrounded by charming scenery.

ANNIVERSARIES
A villa nestling in vineyards and olive groves with the magnificent Chianti rolling hills in the background, lost in the peace and serenity of the environment. A fairytale setting to renew a special vow or celebrate an anniversary. Relive your wedding day for the first time again; an anniversary to remember in the most refined and elegant timeless setting.

Renew vows and celebrate an anniversary with a romantic dinner under the stars, surrounded by the lush, green Chianti landscape. Surprise your guests with a magnificent ceremony in our garden, beside the infinity pool, or inside one of the modernly restored Tuscan buildings.

Villa Le Calvane is the perfect setting for any kind of anniversary or event, whether guests prefer an intimate celebration or to share it with friends and family; an unrivalled prestigious location with a romantic soul.

THE SPACES
Versatility and elegance; discover all the spaces at your disposal for events at Villa Le Calvane.

THE GARDEN
The elegantly manicured garden and large terrace patio paved in Serana stone are the perfect location for any type of event. Ideal to host banquets and refreshments al fresco in the Tuscan sunshine, guests will be delighted with the incomparable experience of the magnificent panoramic view.

When the weather is cooler guests can enjoy the charming atmosphere of the restaurant and wine bar, along with the delights of our wine cellar always well-stocked with the best Chianti Riserva and other wines.

THE BARN
Formerly used as a winery, the newly restored barn at the Resort is entirely dedicated to hosting events. The ground-floor consists of a spacious hall with large windows that can be opened onto a beautifully manicured garden with a porch and panoramic views of the Chianti hills.

The hall can be adjusted as required for meetings, cocktail parties or product demonstrations, making it the ideal venue for any kind of reception.

THE REFECTORY HALL
Located on the ground floor of Villa Tornabuoni the Refectory Room is a location of elegance and intimacy. The room features a large, noble dining table dating to the 14th century, known as the “Fratina” (refectory table), and can seat up to 14 guests comfortably for dinner, or accommodate up to 36 guests for a buffet lunch.

The Refectory room is an ideal location for organizing cooking courses or a private wine tasting with an adjacent kitchen attached. The space can also be used as a meeting room with a projector available upon request and use of the adjoining lounge for coffee and rest breaks.

THE WINE CELLAR
The cellar of the old winery with its vaulted ceiling has been reborn into a temple to wine, surrounded by the most prestigious wines of the Chianti region.

The wine cellar comprises a reception area, a great room that can accommodate up to 10 people for a sit-down dinner, and a cave where the temperature and humidity are kept at the correct level to maintain the stocks of prestige vintage wines.

Guests can hold exclusive culinary meetings or join us for daily tastings of our highest quality Tuscan wines, produced at our winery.

THE EXPERIENCES
The staff at Villa Le Calvane are elegantly attired, experienced, discreet and at your service for anything you may require delivering a true 5 Star experience. Staff is always available to assist with making your stay comfortable or planning personalized tours and exclusive visits to see the best that Tuscany has to offer.

We have created some thrilling experiences for you to take part in that will make you feel you belong here, part of the landscape, a true connoisseur of the old Tuscan “art of living;” a lifestyle founded on simple, down-to-earth values, in touch with the land and the cultural heritage of this fascinating, inspirational land.

One can expect tailored services and the highest quality amenities at Villa Le Calvane. The Estate also features a panoramic function room and impeccably manicured gardens, ideal for weddings, dinners, wine tasting and other celebrations, with the option to reserve the entire Estate to host an exclusive event.

GAME HUNT
An excursion for guests who enjoy the thrill of the chase and look forward to experiencing the art of hunting during their getaway. Le Calvane has its own private game reserve where guests can hunt for a variety of wild animals including wild boar, foxes, hares, pheasants and other types of bird.

The package includes a day’s tour around the game reserve accompanied by expert gamekeepers. Pointers, terriers and hunting dogs can also be included subject to the kind of game to be hunted.

TRUFFLE HUNT
Guests who love the intense flavour of precious Tuscan truffles can partake in an excursion that will immerse them in the ancient art of truffle hunting. The day begins with guests studying truffles; the different types, their properties and their aromas, and the perfect conditions to find truffles growing, sometimes known as ‘pastures’.

The exploratory excursion will entail a truffle hunt led by a number of local truffle-hunters using specially trained dogs and is available year-round. The experience concludes with guests enjoying a meal specially prepared to feature the magnificent truffles found during the excursion.

MUSHROOM HUNT
The hills of the Chianti region with their oaks, chestnuts and beeches are the ideal place to hunt for mushrooms. This excursion is uniquely designed as a fantastic opportunity for guests who love wild food from the forest and enjoy the serenity of being outdoors. The excursion involves a real, back-to-nature experience in search of Tuscan porcini mushrooms.

Guests will be introduced to the art of porcini hunting by expert mushroom hunters, who will teach them how to determine where mushrooms grow and the ideal times for picking in relation to sun, rain, and the moon’s phases that determine mushroom growth.

The experience will continue with a guided tour searching for and gathering mushrooms through the Chianti woods and conclude with a mushroom tasting prepared by our executive chef.

CYCLING TOURS
A sporting adventure in the magical Tuscan hills. A fabulous cycling tour can be arranged for guests of Le Calvane that will guide them through vineyards, olive groves, charming villages and castles.

The country air and beautiful scenery of the hilly Chianti Region is perfectly suited for cycling. An exciting adventure during which guests will encounter enchanting villas and welcoming villages to sample local Tuscan wines and culinary products.

This package includes rental of a regular bike, or electric bike on request. Guests can also request a guide to accompany them on a marvellous journey of discovery through Tuscany.

OLIVE HARVEST & PRESS
The excursion involves taking part in the two most important stages of Tuscan olive oil production: both the harvesting and the pressing of the olives. Harvesting normally occurs in November and it is done using manual handling, wicker baskets and tarpaulins.

The pressing of the olives is done in the oil mill. Guests will experience the harvesting, pressing and various phases involved in producing Tuscan extra virgin olive oil. Following the day of hard work, the only thing that remains to be done is to enjoy the cold-pressed hand picked olive oil with a piece of Tuscan bread.

GRAPE HARVEST & WINE TASTING
A private excursion arranged for guests who love wine and would like to discover more about the various stages of production. The package involves a guided tour of the vineyards on our estate to observe the harvesting and vinification processes. Following the tour will be a tasting of wines from our cellars, accompanied by some gourmet appetizers.

COOKING CLASSES
For food lovers, Le Calvane has organized cooking classes led by our Michelin-star trained executive chef. Guests will learn how to prepare and create some of the most traditional Tuscan delicacies using the freshest local ingredients. At the end of the lessons, guests will be able to taste and enjoy the gastronomic masterpieces prepared in class.

GOLF
For golf-lovers there’s nothing more enticing than trying out a new course, and Villa Le Calvane is delighted to welcome golf enthusiasts and experts from all over the world. The hotel is ideally situated for exploring the most famous golf courses in Tuscany. Few sensations can equal the thrill of playing outdoors surrounded by the artistry of the Tuscan landscape.

HORSE RIDING
Horseback riding is an excellent way to relax and embrace the sensation of freedom and well-being. An excursion specially arranged for the animal and nature amongst our guests. Experience the thrill of riding through country lanes on horseback led by expert riders who will guide you through the discovery of some of the most beautiful countryside in the world.

Rooms: 15

Price: from 486 EUR per night

Source: www.villalecalvane.com