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From the coastal hills of Bolgheri to the historic heart of Chianti, these three Tuscan estates offer more than exceptional wines. They provide intimate glimpses into the art, history, and philosophy that shape Italy's most celebrated wine region.
Each property brings its own character: contemporary art installations in ancient cellars, winemaking beneath a 9th-century church, and vineyards first planted by Italian royalty.
Ornellaia
Art in the Cellar, History in Every Bottle
Between Bolgheri and the Tyrrhenian coast, Ornellaia sits where the land still holds traces of the ancient seabed: marine fossils and sediment that give the wines their particular character.
The winery visit takes you through the historic vineyards and into cellars where contemporary art catches you off guard. Since 2006, internationally recognised artists have created installations here, each inspired by a single vintage.
You walk past these pieces on your way through the barrel cellar, where French oak barrels line the walls, before reaching the Archivio Storico, the temperature-controlled vault where every vintage since 1985 is kept.
Experiences at Ornellaia
The Ornellaia Picnic sets up under the centuries-old Bellaria oak tree. Surrounded by vines with views stretching to the Mediterranean, you get a gourmet spread paired with their Poggio alle Gazze white wine. It’s unhurried, with the sea breeze coming up from the coast.
The Wine Dinner begins at dusk. Welcome drinks as the sun sets over the vineyards, then dinner as twilight settles: Mediterranean dishes matched to the estate’s wines, served as the cellar and grounds take on a different atmosphere in the fading light.
The Vintage Experience is for those who want to go deeper. After touring the vineyards and cellars, you sit down for a vertical tasting: multiple vintages of Ornellaia side by side, so you can trace how the wine evolves whilst the fundamental style holds steady across years.
Where to Stay Nearby:
Tenuta Degli Dei
Between Vineyards and Vaulted Ceilings
Further inland, in the renowned Conca d’Oro valley of Panzano in Chianti, a very different story unfolds: one where fashion heritage meets winemaking tradition beneath the vaulted ceilings of a thousand-year-old church.
In the heart of Panzano in Chianti lies Tenuta degli Dei, where Tommaso Cavalli has devoted over thirty years to crafting wines that express the unique character of this exceptional terroir.
Building on his father Roberto Cavalli’s vision (who acquired the property in the early 1970s), Tommaso has made this land his life’s work, developing a winemaking philosophy grounded in respect for the land, organic cultivation, and the patient pursuit of elegance in every bottle.
What truly distinguishes Tenuta degli Dei is its extraordinary setting within the Pieve di San Leolino, a magnificent Romanesque church dating to the 9th century.
The centuries-old vaulted cellars below provide what Tommaso describes as a sense of “divine blessing”: an ideal environment where carefully selected French oak barrels and traditional cement tanks nurture wines through their maturation.
Above, in La Tinaia, the restored fermentation room retains its original exposed beam ceilings, characteristic of Chianti’s historic rural architecture.
The Winemaking Philosophy
Working alongside renowned consultant Carlo Ferrini (named Winemaker of the Year in 2000 and 2007) and agronomist Gioia Cresti, Tommaso has refined an approach that balances modern innovation with deep respect for Tuscan tradition.
The estate’s vineyards benefit from exceptional sun exposure and ideal soil composition, creating perfect conditions for viticulture. Hand-picked grapes undergo rigorous selection before fermentation begins in La Tinaia’s atmospheric space.
Beyond exceptional wines, the estate also produces internationally acclaimed spirits, making it a true multi-sensory destination. Visitors can taste current vintages whilst taking in breathtaking views over the vineyards: a perfect harmony between humankind and nature, just as Roberto Cavalli always imagined.
In Conversation with Tommaso Cavalli
What’s the one thing visitors are always surprised to learn about making wine in a 9th-century church?
Most visitors are not used to being surrounded by all this artistic and historical patrimony. Probably they may be impressed by the way I respect tradition whilst following innovation in such a scenario. My winemaking style has remained more or less the same, adapting to the evolution of the seasons, selecting the best grapes and aiming hard at the best quality in each step.
What’s always in your glass at the end of a long day?
Possibly a glass of IGT Cavalli Tenuta Degli Dei, every time of a different vintage, to make comparisons and appreciate their progressive evolution.
What’s the secret ingredient in great wine?
I would list at least three, not only one: Passion, Patience and search for the best Quality.
Where to Stay Nearby:
Tenuta Sette Ponti
Royal Roots, Organic Soul
Nestled between Florence and Arezzo, Tenuta Sette Ponti offers one of Tuscany’s most distinctive tasting experiences, where visitors can explore wines born from vineyards first planted by Italian royalty, now cultivated with modern organic practices by the Moretti Cuseri family.
The Tasting Experiences
The estate has thoughtfully designed several tasting journeys, each offering a different perspective on Tuscan wine:
Exploring Sangiovese offers three expressions of the region’s noble grape, from the fresh, fruity Vigna di Pallino Chianti Superiore to the complex Crognolo and the prestigious Vigna dell’Impero: made from an ancient Sangiovese clone planted in 1935 by Prince Amedeo of Savoy-Aosta that exists nowhere else in the world.
The “Super Toscani” Experience showcases the estate’s identity wines, including the legendary Oreno, a Bordeaux-inspired blend that reached the top of international wine rankings within just three vintages of its 1999 debut.
Cult Wines offers a tasting of the finest expressions from Tenuta Sette Ponti and Orma: three wines that represent the true identity of these estates (Oreno IGT Toscana, Vigna dell’Impero Valdarno di Sopra DOC, and Orma IGT Toscana from Bolgheri). As with all tastings, this 90-minute experience includes a guided visit in Italian or English, accompanied by focaccia and a small selection of cheeses and cold cuts.
For the ultimate experience, Vigna dell’Impero 1935 offers a rare vertical tasting of older vintages from the historic vineyard, allowing visitors to taste the evolution of this unique terroir across different years.
Each tasting includes guided tours through 60 hectares of certified organic vineyards and the estate’s cellar. The setting is spectacular, surrounded by nature reserves preserved since the royal family’s time, with views that inspired Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
Beyond Wine: Immersive Experiences
For visitors seeking a deeper connection to Tuscan culture and the estate’s philosophy, Tenuta Sette Ponti offers two unique experiences that go beyond traditional wine tasting.
The Cooking Classes take place in the intimate kitchen of Villa Crognolo, tucked away in a quiet corner of the estate. These four-hour sessions focus on seasonal ingredients and the timeless simplicity of traditional Tuscan cuisine.
Participants spend the morning preparing a selection of dishes, always including handmade pasta and either a starter or dessert, before sitting down together to enjoy the fruits of their labour paired with wines from the estate.
It’s an experience of sharing, discovery, and the joy of cooking in a warm, welcoming setting. Classes are available for small groups of 4 to 8 participants and must be booked in advance.
The Yoga & Wine Experience brings together two seemingly different practices that share a common purpose: mindful presence. Guests begin with a 60-minute yoga session led by a personal trainer, held either amongst the vineyards or in the serene winter garden, always surrounded by breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside.
Following the practice, with minds quieted and senses awakened, participants move into a wine tasting of the very wines produced from the vineyard where they just practised. Every glass becomes a continuation of the mindfulness cultivated during yoga: a sensory meditation grounded in place, tradition, and presence.
The Moretti Cuseri family’s commitment to 100% organic viticulture means every sip reflects their philosophy: great wines begin with great grapes and deep respect for the land.
We’ll arrange exclusive tastings, secure reservations for sought-after experiences, and handle every detail of your visit. Get in touch to start planning your Tuscan wine journey.
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