Chianti between taste, nature and art

The iconic wine of this corner of Tuscany has more than three hundred years: in fact, Chianti Classico was officially born in 1716 when Cosimo III de' Medici decided to demarcate with a proclamation the territory in which this high quality wine was produced.
But the history of Chianti Classico and its symbol, the famous Black Rooster, is rooted in an even more ancient past and in a curious legend.
Today, these rolling hills that lie between Siena and Florence are not only rich in wine-related offerings, but are also home to historic, art and design wineries that enhance the landscape heritage that hosts them.
Among them are the Antinori Winery - an architecturally avant-garde space located in San Casciano Val di Pesa - and the Fonterutoli Winery - in Castellina in Chianti - which dominates the estate from above, but reaches deep into the earth.
For those who want to experience a sensory journey about wine and the history of Chianti Classico, you can visit the Chianti Classico Home located in an old convent in Radda in Chianti.

The history of Chianti is strongly linked to the presence of the Etruscans, evidenced by archaeological materials found throughout the area. The cultivation of vines - and thus the profound culture of wine - is also due to this ingenious and wise civilization.
Those who wish to go on an archaeological itinerary can start from Castellina in Chianti where the Archaeological Museum of the Sienese Chianti tells the history of the territory from the Bronze Age to that of the Etruscan Princes.
Continuing, just outside the town you reach the Mount Calvary Tumulus, consisting of four tombs oriented to the cardinal points.
In Radda in Chianti, the Archaeological Park of Poggio la Croce is set in a context of strong landscape value, able to tell the geological, botanical and faunal specificities of the area by retracing history since the Copper Age: right here the grape berries of vitis vinera and a wine press dating back to the 4th century B.C. have been brought to light.

The magic of Chianti is not only tasted in the glasses of wine, but also in the many paths that cross its unspoiled nature: whether you want to walk, run, cycle or simply stroll, that of open-air sports remains one of the best ways to enjoy the spectacle of this land.
There are many proposals: CAI routes wind among the famous Chianti white roads and, if you decide to be accompanied by a guide, the walk can end with a tasting. You can choose from several itineraries that combine art - such as those in the footsteps of Leo Lionni and Domenico Cresti - and popular history - such as that of Calcinaia.
The Via Romea Sanese, one of the strate et vie maestre among the ten that crossed the Florentine territory and arrived in Siena, crosses the Chianti countryside from San Casciano: near Castellina, in the village of Fonterutoli, you can stop for a tasty break in the famous wine cellar and wine shop.
Finally, for those who wish to immerse themselves in the vintage atmosphere of the Eroica route, it is possible to choose different routes and pedal through the vineyards with the panorama of Siena in the background.
The official race is held every year in October and starts from Gaiole in Chianti, but it is possible to choose sections to run independently to relive the famous race.

A land with a glorious past and rich traditions, Chianti also sets its sights on modern art.
Montefiridolfi is home to La Loggia Art Center - an open-air museum housed on the farm of the same name - with works of art by great 20th-century masters, including Betty Woodman, Franz Stähler, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Roberto Barni and Karel Appel.
At the Ama Castle in Gaiole, the famous winery houses a private collection of contemporary art: here art and wine combine perfectly, offering an exciting experience (by appointment).
Finally, to fully experience the unique blend of art and nature, in Pievasciata, a few kilometers from Castelnuovo Berardenga, the Chianti Sculpture Park hosts contemporary installations and sculptures by international artists from around the world. Each individual sculpture is site-specific - that is, it was created specifically by the artist after visiting the place where it would be installed. An amphitheater has been created within the park, offering visitors a dense program of concerts during the summer period.