Cabbiavoli is a stunning Estate to get together with your family and friends to share dreams and passions!
Traces of ancient cultures fill every corner of the Tuscan landscape and Castello di Cabbiavoli is a shining example.
The castle dates from 1210 when the Counts Alberti di Certaldo built Caput Aulae (its Latin name), as the centre of Val d’Elsa’s court.
The estate of Cabbiavoli in its idyllic setting deep in the countryside provides a choice of charming farmhouses with a backdrop of history, art and natural beauty, any of which make for a perfect family holiday.
It is also possible to rent the magnificent Castle itself for an unforgettable and luxurious stay.
Cabbiavoli is within easy reach of Florence, San Gimignano, Siena, Pisa and Lucca for those who want to explore our magnificent territory.
There is no “Agriturismo” without a productive farm, and Cabbiavoli is at the heart of a productive estate that falls within the boundaries of the “Chianti” region.
The farm extends over 120 hectares: 6 are vineyards, located on hilly, calcareous, mixed terrain soil at an altitude of about 200m above sea level, with a south-south westerly exposure.
The greatest concentration – about 90% – of the grape variety is the Sangiovese, with small amounts of Canaiolo and Merlot. The vineyards were recently renewed and have a density of about 5000 plants per hectare and are mostly on a spur cordon system.
The olive groves consist of about 20 hectares of different varieties such as Frantoio, Leccino, Pendolino and Moraiolo, from which is made the extraordinary Cabbiavoli extra virgin olive oil, rich in flavour and personality.
The fertile areas amount to about 50 hectares of irrigated fields sown principally with grain and sunflowers.
The entire company falls within the Azienda Faunistica Venatoria di Oliveto (the Organization for Hunting and Wildlife of Oliveto) and comprises the typical fauna of Chianti Fiorentino, with pheasant, hare and roe deer.
The Puccioni family closely monitors all the agricultural work in order to ensure that traditional methods are respected and followed to guarantee the best quality products. The family founded in 1888 a production company for fertilizers and for over 130 years has confirmed its farming vocation.
Beneath the Castle is a little wine cellar, in a cavern dug out of the tuff rock, benefitting from a temperature that varies only two degrees between summer and winter.
The Family History
Originally built in 1210 by the Count Alberti di Certaldo, chief of the ruling Longobard family that dominated the nearby Elsa valley, the castle of Cabbiavoli was originally a fortified “borgo” of the Alberti family, traces of the original 13th century fortified castle are still discernible in the square brick tower and the defensive walls alongside the villa. The Alberti family owned and lived in the castle until the 17th century, after which it fell into the hands of the Brandini family, one of the leading families of Castelfiorentino, owners of a bank and of various farms. In 1900 Alice Brandini married the entrepreneur Cesare Puccioni, grandfather of the present owner.
Ginevra, his daughter, decided to open their home and share the possibility to enter and be part of her family! Ginevra is an incredible professional with expertise in various fields, from hospitality – here her interview – to gemology and luxury fashion.
Cabbiavoli remained the hunting home of the Puccioni family until 1999, when his grandchild, also called Cesare decided to upgrade the villa and the tower with extensive renovation and modern facilities.
The first guest at the villa was the actress Julia Roberts and her family, and she enjoyed her stay so much that she called her favourite photographer to take a series of shots of her relaxing holiday!