Radda in Chianti
Nov 24th, 2005, 01:25 AM
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Besides the town itself, which is only OK, Radda in Clianti includes different hamlets. On of them, Volpaia is really fantastic. There is an important winerie and some interesting restaurants too. About 2 km from Volpaia there is a fantastic luxury B&B called La Locanda (www.lalocanda.it). We stayed there 2 years ago and we'll neve forget that days. It's a bit isolated but it has fantastic views. The owners, Martina and Guido, are very friendly. I strongly reccommend it.
Nov 24th, 2005, 02:04 AM
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We stayed in Radda at Relais Fattoria Vignale two years ago. The hotel has breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside, a lovely pool overlooking olive groves, and an outstanding breakfast buffet! The rooms are elegantly spartan but very comfortable with good AC. Town itself is all of about 4 streets, so there's not much to do there. However Radda is well-located for day trips to Siena,Florence, and many excellent wineries.
Nov 24th, 2005, 05:27 AM
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There's a few very good restaurants in and near Radda. In Radda there are 2 Relais restaurants, both off the main street thru town. Tavaerna Vignale in a basement/cellar very good typical Tuscan dishes. The other, La Vignale, is on a second floor(1st floor in Italian thinking) of a building across the street. This is a little more upscale with a bit of gourmet tinkering on Tuscan dishes. Both are good, with the second floor being very good.
There was a new hotel/restuarant being built that is probably open now. It's either another Relais or part of the Vignale in Perrano winery. The cafe was the only thing open when I was there a year ago. One of the best views in Tuscany you'll experience from a cafe. They serve the Perrano wines and caffe. The restaurant & hotel are probably open now. It's between Radda and Gaiole. It's off the main road between these towns, the off road also leads to Vertine, another must see very tiny hamlet. At the cafe you overlook Vertine and the larger hills of the area.
Not far from Radda are several castles. Castello Brolio and Meleto should be visited. Both have stunning views from their lands. Both have stunning structures , and vastly different from each other, both offer tours inside, Brolio's is rather limited but Meleto's is extensive. Meleto's wine tasting is included with teh tour , Brolio's is not and across the street. The long ago baron of Brolio invented the Chianti wine formula that is used & controlled today.
Near Brolio is another fortress, Cacchiano, not sure of spelling, again, fantastic views, I was told 2nd highest point in Chianti, wines & olive oils. They are owned by the Ricasoli's who also own Brolio.
There's a independent restaurant at Brolio, Osteria Brolio, upscale Tuscan, very good.
On the main road between Radda & Lecchi is the restaurant , Il Poggio. Country setting, family run, basic Tuscan dishes cooked well.
After the town of Gaiole is the abbey/winery/restaurant of Badia Coltibuono, owned by the famous teaching chef, Lorenza Di Medici and her husband the wine expert. Their restaurant is good but I thought the others I have mentioned were better. The grounds, abbey & wine store/gift shop should be visited.
Volpaia, mentioned previously, should not be missed. Directly behind & up the hills from Radda, with a very pretty drive to & around the hamlet. The entire hamlet is now owned by the Volpaia winery. Hotel, cooking classes, wine tasting, store and 3 restaurants. One is a cafe for wines, caffe, salumi and panini. The Bottega is a "grandmom" cooking type Tuscan restaurant. And Ristorante Volpaia is just a tad more upscale. You can eat outside in all 3. I would suggest lunch over dinner as it allows you to soak up the little piazza all 3 are set in.
Very near Volpaia is another abbey that I can't recall the name of. It is still in operation so no caffes or dinning but a nice abbey with pretty grounds and great views. Should be listed in the travel guides.
There was a new hotel/restuarant being built that is probably open now. It's either another Relais or part of the Vignale in Perrano winery. The cafe was the only thing open when I was there a year ago. One of the best views in Tuscany you'll experience from a cafe. They serve the Perrano wines and caffe. The restaurant & hotel are probably open now. It's between Radda and Gaiole. It's off the main road between these towns, the off road also leads to Vertine, another must see very tiny hamlet. At the cafe you overlook Vertine and the larger hills of the area.
Not far from Radda are several castles. Castello Brolio and Meleto should be visited. Both have stunning views from their lands. Both have stunning structures , and vastly different from each other, both offer tours inside, Brolio's is rather limited but Meleto's is extensive. Meleto's wine tasting is included with teh tour , Brolio's is not and across the street. The long ago baron of Brolio invented the Chianti wine formula that is used & controlled today.
Near Brolio is another fortress, Cacchiano, not sure of spelling, again, fantastic views, I was told 2nd highest point in Chianti, wines & olive oils. They are owned by the Ricasoli's who also own Brolio.
There's a independent restaurant at Brolio, Osteria Brolio, upscale Tuscan, very good.
On the main road between Radda & Lecchi is the restaurant , Il Poggio. Country setting, family run, basic Tuscan dishes cooked well.
After the town of Gaiole is the abbey/winery/restaurant of Badia Coltibuono, owned by the famous teaching chef, Lorenza Di Medici and her husband the wine expert. Their restaurant is good but I thought the others I have mentioned were better. The grounds, abbey & wine store/gift shop should be visited.
Volpaia, mentioned previously, should not be missed. Directly behind & up the hills from Radda, with a very pretty drive to & around the hamlet. The entire hamlet is now owned by the Volpaia winery. Hotel, cooking classes, wine tasting, store and 3 restaurants. One is a cafe for wines, caffe, salumi and panini. The Bottega is a "grandmom" cooking type Tuscan restaurant. And Ristorante Volpaia is just a tad more upscale. You can eat outside in all 3. I would suggest lunch over dinner as it allows you to soak up the little piazza all 3 are set in.
Very near Volpaia is another abbey that I can't recall the name of. It is still in operation so no caffes or dinning but a nice abbey with pretty grounds and great views. Should be listed in the travel guides.
Nov 24th, 2005, 05:56 AM
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Another vote for Fattoria Vignale. We've stayed there twice and been very pleased both times.
The village is delightful with several shops and at least 3 good restaurants all within 5 minutes walk of the hotel (maybe 10 tops).
Lovely views over the surrounding countryside. We wouldn't hesitate to go back.
The village is delightful with several shops and at least 3 good restaurants all within 5 minutes walk of the hotel (maybe 10 tops).
Lovely views over the surrounding countryside. We wouldn't hesitate to go back.
Nov 24th, 2005, 05:57 AM
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Hi Need,
We also had a wonderful lunch a La Badia di Coltibuono. Reservations required.
Our base was the tiny village of San Sano at Hotel Residence San Sano. It was the most perfect place of a 3 week trip. Very near Castello Brolio. The only commercial establishment in the village, other than the small hotel, is a family run trattoria. Fantastic food, inexpensive, we ate there 2 nights.
Buon viaggio!
We also had a wonderful lunch a La Badia di Coltibuono. Reservations required.
Our base was the tiny village of San Sano at Hotel Residence San Sano. It was the most perfect place of a 3 week trip. Very near Castello Brolio. The only commercial establishment in the village, other than the small hotel, is a family run trattoria. Fantastic food, inexpensive, we ate there 2 nights.
Buon viaggio!
Nov 30th, 2005, 08:21 PM
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Thank you so much for all the information! Volpaia sounds fantastic. Lorenzi, do you know how I can find out about the cooking classes you mentioned? I was looking into Palazzo Leopoldo, but it's a bit pricey. I will investigate La Locanda and Relais Fattoria Vignale. I love the help this forum provides!Thanks again.
Dec 1st, 2005, 04:12 AM
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Here's the URL for the Lorenza Di Medici cooking classes at Badia ColtiBuono. She had a short PBS cooking series and has several cookbooks.
http://www.coltibuono.com/0scheda.as...ce=5&col=1
The Volpaia web site is or was, volpaia.com . However I have been unable to bring their site up. Hopefully just a temporary problem.
With web searches, don't get it confused with a place called La Volpaia.
Here's a few other sites that have some info on Volpaia.
http://www.volpaia.info/
http://www.mangiarebene.net/WINE/VOLPAIA/index.html
This site, NY Times, has a phone number.
http://travel2.nytimes.com/top/featu...xc7odk6LJMOTtw
http://paradoxplace.com/Food%20&%20R...%20Volpaia.htm
http://www.coltibuono.com/0scheda.as...ce=5&col=1
The Volpaia web site is or was, volpaia.com . However I have been unable to bring their site up. Hopefully just a temporary problem.
With web searches, don't get it confused with a place called La Volpaia.
Here's a few other sites that have some info on Volpaia.
http://www.volpaia.info/
http://www.mangiarebene.net/WINE/VOLPAIA/index.html
This site, NY Times, has a phone number.
http://travel2.nytimes.com/top/featu...xc7odk6LJMOTtw
http://paradoxplace.com/Food%20&%20R...%20Volpaia.htm
Dec 2nd, 2005, 07:23 PM
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Yet another vote for Vignale. We thoroughly enjoyed it when were there in July. Our room had a good view of Volpia in the distance, across the valley. When we made it over to Volpia, we wished we had spent more time there too.
The restaurant in Perano is now open and has excellent food, but it was a bit of an odd experience since on Sunday afternoon we were the only guests in the restaurant for the full two and a half hours. Views are great, the winery buildings have been renovated for condos that are for sale -- no sales office as near as we could tell. It's called Castello di San Donato in Perano.
Rada proved to be a good base for a day trip to Sienna as well.
The restaurant in Perano is now open and has excellent food, but it was a bit of an odd experience since on Sunday afternoon we were the only guests in the restaurant for the full two and a half hours. Views are great, the winery buildings have been renovated for condos that are for sale -- no sales office as near as we could tell. It's called Castello di San Donato in Perano.
Rada proved to be a good base for a day trip to Sienna as well.
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