Vignamaggio

Vignamaggio was everyone's favorite place, hands-down.  Our eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when we pulled up to the villa.  Having gotten to know each other a little better after three days into the tour, we felt free to take peeks into each other's rooms, exclaiming at the different details: views from windows, linens, stationery, ceramics, etc.  Mine and D's room was more like an apartment -- complete with master bedroom, living room, two small lofts with single beds, and a higher "observation deck" with a small ottoman -- presumably, to look out over the amazing view.

The first evening (of three) there, we went on a tour of the on-site winery.  Our guide told us the history of Vignamaggio, which was originally owned by the familyof a guy who married a nearby villa owner's daughter and later commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to paint her portrait: the Mona Lisa.  Back in the 90s, Vignamaggio was the filming site of "Much Ado About Nothing," with Kenneth Branaugh and Emma Thompson; if you haven't seen it, you should!  It's one of my favorites.

The kitchen was downstairs, so each morning I awoke to the smell of freshly baked bread.  I had fresh cappuccinos along with meats and fruits and fruit juices.  We also had a terrific dinner there; I can still taste the lemon mashed potatoes.  On the last afternoon we had a traditional Tuscan cooking class.  If we didn't have all those other wineries to visit, I'm sure we all would have been quite happy to stay at Vignamaggio the entire three days.

   

   

 

   

   

What a truly special, magical space. Beautiful grounds. Wine in every room and corridor.  Two pools. History with the Mona Lisa.  Filming venue for a great movie.  In short: a great story, a great stay. 

This is definitely on the short list for the 5-year plan to spend a month in Italy with the gals.