Montespertoli is home to our vineyards: a village in the Florentine Chianti hills, about half an hour from Florence, full of farmed hills, Romanesque churches and castles. Here is what we recommend to guests who ask us what to see nearby.
The parish church of San Piero in Mercato and the Museum of Sacred Art
Start at the Pieve di San Piero in Mercato, a medieval Romanesque parish church that for centuries was the seat of the League that governed this territory. Its rectory houses the Museum of Sacred Art, opened in 1996: the highlight is Filippo Lippi's Madonna and Child (1445–1450), from the church of Sant'Andrea a Botinaccio. Among the other works is a Madonna by Cenni di Francesco from the church of San Giusto a Montalbino.
The village
On Piazza Machiavelli stands the church of Sant'Andrea, born as the chapel of the medieval castle, enlarged in the early 16th century and rebuilt after the damage of the Second World War. Montespertoli is also home to the Amedeo Bassi Museum, dedicated to the tenor linked to this land.
Castles: Montegufoni, Poppiano, Sonnino
The hills around the village are dotted with castles. Montegufoni, tied to the Acciaioli family, sheltered many Uffizi masterpieces during the Second World War, including Botticelli's Primavera. The castle of Poppiano has belonged to the Guicciardini family since it was built, and there are also the castles of Sonnino and Botinaccio. Many are private property: check beforehand whether and when they can be visited.
Lucardo and the nearby hamlets
The medieval hamlet of Lucardo, one of the first settlements in the area, is worth a detour, as is the 16th-century Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Pace, with 17th-century frescoes. The roads between the hamlets make a lovely drive or bike ride among vines and olive trees.
Wine: the Chianti festival and the wine museum
Montespertoli is one of the subzones of Chianti DOCG, and wine is its celebration: since 1957 the Mostra del Chianti has filled the village with tastings and events every year between late May and early June. The Museum of the Vine and Wine explains every stage of production, and a trail of about 11 km links wineries, farms and olive mills.
A stop at San Giusto
Our farm is about 8 km from the village, at Via Forcile 18: you can book a wine tasting of about one hour with all our wines, Vin Santo, our olive oil and honey, or a private cooking class for your group. In autumn, between late October and November, you can also spend a day picking olives with us: our olive harvest day, with a visit to the olive mill and lunch at the farm. And if you fall in love with the hills, our barn with a pool is there for a few nights.
Practical tips
A car is the easiest way to get around. Spring and autumn are the loveliest seasons, and the grape harvest takes place between September and October. For museums and churches, check the current opening times on the official websites before you set off.