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Badia a Coltibuono Review

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Badia a Coltibuono

Address: Località Badia a Coltibuono 4 km (2½ mi) north of Gaiole, Radda in Chianti, 53013
Phone: 0577/749498 for tours; 0577/749479 for shop
Fax: 0577/749235
www.coltibuono.com

Abbey of the Good Harvest

Category: Religious Sites
Location: Radda in Chianti

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Fodor's Review:

East of Radda a turnoff leads to the Badia a Coltibuono (Abbey of the Good Harvest), which has been owned by Lorenza de' Medici's family for more than a century and a half (the family isn't closely related to the Renaissance-era Medici). Wine has been produced here since the abbey was founded by Vallombrosan monks in the 11th century. Today the family continues the tradition, making Chianti Classico and other wines, along with cold-pressed olive oil and various flavored vinegars and floral honeys. A small Romanesque church with campanile is surrounded by 2,000 acres of oak, fir, and chestnut woods threaded with walking paths—open to all—that pass two small lakes. Though the abbey itself, built between the 11th and 18th centuries, serves as the family's home, parts are open for tours (in English, German, or Italian). Visit the jasmine-draped main courtyard, the inner cloister with its antique well, the musty old aging cellars, and the Renaissance-style garden redolent of lavender, lemons, and roses. In the shop, L'Osteria, you can taste wine and honey, as well as pick up other items like homemade beeswax hand lotion in little ceramic dishes. The Badia is closed on public holidays.

Cost: Abbey EUR 3
Open: Tours: May-July, Sept., and Oct., weekdays 2:30, 3, 3:30, 4; shop: Mar.-mid-Jan., daily 9-1 and 2-7

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