It was love at first sight! I had found the perfect sanctuary– Villa Dievole, a wine resort! Could there be anything more sublime?
From the minute you approach the resort, you feel that you are in a most special place in the world. And you are…
Villa Dievole was nestled among rolling fields of vineyards as far as the eye could see, and bordered by the Tuscan wooded hills off of one of the “white roads” near Chianti’s main wine road, the SR222.
The long road to Vagliagli was a solitary drive, meandering six kilometers through the woods on a secondary unpaved road.
My eyes were peeled for wild boar and deer, but the only “wildlife” I encountered were a few cars madly passing me on the narrow road leaving me in a cloud of dust.
Dievole literally translates to “if God is willing” and is touted as a stellar four-star hotel and wine resort in the heart of Chianti. And it is truly divine!
Lucky for me, I arrived in time for the last cellar tour of the day. The tour of Villa Dievole’s 900-year old cellars began in the reception area where our lovely tour guide, Virginia, prepared dishes of antipasta with the local pecorino cheese and salume and proscuitto and crostini with fresh olio d’olivo (olive oil) from the nearby olive groves.
The wine tasting began with 2010 Rosata di Sangiovese IGT and a 2010 Bianco IGT Toscana. two delicate and very sumptuous wines which would crescendo with several hearty red wines as the tour progressed.
The tour was beautifully orchestrated by Virginia, bringing the ancient cellars and all the people, past and present who worked the land, to life. It was a magical experience and is free to all hotel guests.
Besides the typical Chianti wines, Dievole produces an excellent Super Tuscan, 2008 Broccato Toscana IGT, which is a blend of 85% Sangiovese, 12% Merlot and 3% Petite Verdot. Later on in the tour, we would also taste the 2007 Novecento Chianti Classico Riserva, which is 90% Sangiovese and 10% other red grapes. (Novecento means 900, referring to the age of the cellars). This was my favorite wine and the flagship wine of Villa Dievole.
After what seemed like endless pours of the juice of Bacchus, it was a good thing that I was staying here at Villa Dievole, as I didn’t have far to walk!
Overall, Villa Dievole exceeded my expectations in every way!!!
The entire staff was very gracious and super accommodating. My superior room on the second floor of the main villa was elegant and airy. I was welcomed with a bottle of the estate 2009 Rinascimento IGT, a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% other red grapes such as Cilegiolo, Canaiolo and Foglia Tonda, along with a basket brimming with fresh fruit! Always curious as to meanings, I discovered that Rinascimento means revival or renaissance, an ode to the workers, past and present, at Villa Dievole. The gratitude to the wine masters and works was embellished often here. And, rightfully so.
My room had a view of Dievole’s chapel out of one of the large wood shuttered windows and the rolling hills covered with olive trees and vineyards out the other window. It was truly a heavenly place to be.
Villa Dievole was the perfect retreat–fabulous wines, exquisite Tuscan cuisine, and peace and quiet in the heart of Chianti!
On the last day of my stay, I enjoyed the lavish buffet breakfast with fresh fruits, cheeses, meats, eggs and pastries, and walked around the gardens and pristine grounds one more time. I did not want to leave…… but vowed to return again soon with my friends!
Villa Dievole’s brochure so aptly describes the experience here…. ” L’arte…. l’aria….. in questo luogo e magica ….. ” I couldn’t have said it any better! The art, the air…. this place is magical! www.dievole.it