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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…
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Deep in the heart of Tuscany, 20 km from downtown Florence, Villa Le Calvane is perched on the hills of the Montagnana Val di Pesa, adjacent to the legendary Castle of Montegufoni.
The first historical records of Le Calvane date back to 1135 when the Florentines destroyed the Castle of Montegufoni and took possession of the surrounding property including the grounds of Le Calvane. In 1305, Leo Acciaioli built at Le Calvane, the Church of Santa Maria Nuova a Montegufoni, to be part of the Oratory of Madonna della Neve, of which we have traces until the XVIII century and is now destroyed.
Since 1325 the Oratory at Le Calvane was home to a “Madonna with Child” painted by Lippo di Benivieni, one of the major XIV century Tuscan artists, the painting remained in the Chapel at Le Calvane until 1709 and is now in the Museum of Montespertoli.
The name Le Calvane dates back to 1427. Calvano di Luca Calvanesi produced wine and olive oil and the property remained in the family until 1569. In 1683, Donato Acciaoli, one of the most powerful families of Florence and Italy repurchased Le Calvane and the Castle of Montegufoni, as it had belonged to his ancestors in earlier centuries. Wine making continued for centuries and in 1815 Matteo de Frescobaldi, one of the leading wine production families of Italy purchased Le Calvane to continue its legacy as a dominant wine producer. Thanks to its fertile land and privileged position, Le Calvane has been long renowned for its wine, olive oil and other fine agricultural products throughout history.
In 1942 several hundred paintings from the Uffizi, Pitti and other Florentine museums (including the Primavera di Botticelli and works by Michelangelo) were hidden in Montegufoni and other surrounding villas, including Le Calvane, to save them from the perils of war. None of the paintings were damaged except one large round painting by Ghirlandaio which the German troops passing by Montegufoni used as a dining table. The paintings went back safely to their museums in 1945.
In the 1980’s, a swiss family purchased Le Calvane and brought in Italian renowned wine-maker Vittorio Fiore. Vittorio remained until 2005. After this time, the family rented most of the vineyards to neighbours Frescobaldi, which used the grapes to make wines sold under their own labels.
In 2011, it was purchased by a small group of international and local entrepreneurs who were passionate about the historical significance of Le Calvane and recognized the wine making potential and outstanding views of this stunning property. Once purchased, the owners rehired Vittorio Fiore and began a strategic process of replanting many acres, using mostly Merlot and Cabernet. Vittorio has carefully rehabilitated, planted and overseen the process of rebuilding the wine making dominance of Le Calvane. Today we produce many wines under the watchful experience of Vittorio.
The new partners have undergone a large scale renovation of the Villa and are currently completing the renovation of a new boutique 5-star hotel at Le Calvane. They have also launched a brand of luxury goods and experiences inspired by the history, heart and spirit of Tuscany – innovative in its simplicity, genuine by tradition and pure in historical significance.
Le Calvane wines reflect this spirit and that of our wine maker, Vittorio Fiore, one of the top international wine experts, who perfectly embodies our search for excellence.
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