Hosted Villas
Inspirations
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Located in the heart of Tuscany, in the revered Chianti wine region, the historical estates of Villa Le Corti reign supreme. Surrounded by vineyards and olive trees, here you’ll find a history that stretches back centuries, and a family with deep and influential ties to the land.
“Believe in tomorrow, work hard, and take risks when the market calls for enterprise” – the Corsini family has successfully followed this purely Florentine creed since they arrived in the city of Poggibonsi in Tuscany at the end of the 1100s. First merchants and then bankers, they were also often influential politicians and churchmen.
With both a pope (Lorezo Corsini was made Pope Clemente XII in 1730) and a saint (Andrea Corsini was named Sant’Andrea in 1624) in its lineage – today the ancestral Corsini estates remain in the family, owned and operated by Duccio Corsini.
On land that extends over 250 hectares, 73 hectares are dedicated to olive trees that produce the family’s Chianti Classico DOP extra virgin olive oil, while 49 hectares are vineyards planted with Sangiovese to produce these excellent wines: Don Tommaso, Cortevecchia, Le Corti and the renowned Zac, an award-winning, very highly pointed Super Tuscan and the king of them all.
“The Zac stood out because it is so true to what a Sangiovese is to me,” said Brian Perry, Wine Consultant, Beverage Manager and Sommelier at Toronto’s The National Club, one of the lucky recipients of this wine thanks to an exclusive relationship with Duccio Corsini. “The fruit showed prominence, perfect prominence – it just showed to me the actual essence of Sangiovese… it’s ethereal, truly beautiful.”
With roughly 4,000 bottles produced annually, the Zac – which Corsini named after his aunt, using her initials – is always 95+ points and always in demand given the limited supply.
“What’s most interesting about this family is a/ they’re biodynamic, which is slower to rise in Italy than most countries, and b/ they are true to terroir. They do not mess with the wine. From cropping to fermentation to bottling, it’s really hands-on,” said Perry.
It’s only fitting that such an exquisite wine would come from the Corsini estates, which ooze history from every perfect pour.
Rebuilt, restored and reopened to its full glory in 1992, the Villa Le Corti estates feature an ample park characterized by a geometric Italian garden and centuries-old cypress trees, and at its heart, the grand villa, which features an historic and unique wine cellar.
Constructed in 1600, the cellar is organized on three underground levels that wind through a system of rooms and corridors carved out under the villa and its gardens. During the year, it is possible to reserve and organize guided visits of the wine cellar, along with the 16th century residence, the olive mill, and the historical orciaia where olive oil is stored.
“The beauty of this winery is you can stay in Florence and be there in 20 minutes,” continued Perry. “It is certainly worth a visit. The estate is beautifully laid out. To be able to taste the wine and have lunch, it is like Niagara with at least 600 more years on it.”
