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Facilities within the Estate

Castello di Cafaggio Products: The Estate farm, which is in the process of achieving full organic status, lies at 300 metres above sea level. It consists in 100 hectares of ancient woodland, 25 hectares of olive groves with 5000 Frantoio, Moraiolo and Leccino olive trees, and 1 hectare of vineyard with the typical Chianti grape varieties of San Giovese, Trebbiano and Malvasia. A specialist vineyard of 2 hectares has also recently been planted with San Giovese, Cabernet and Merlot grape varieties. Through exacting professional standards in the harvesting of the olives and the production of the oil Enrico and Valentina Benci, with the assistance of major experts in the field, have achieved a significant improvements in the quality of Cafaggio oil. The result is that in recent years Cafaggio has won various important national prizes. In 2002 it was just one of only 5 Tuscan oils to win '3 Olives' from Slow Food, and it also won First Prize in the "fruttato intenso" Category at Festambiente. In 2003 the Chamber of Commerce in Florence selected it as among the 3 best Tuscan oils for the Ercole Olivario final.

The Olive harvest: From the 5th of November until the 10th of December, it is Olive Oil Harvest Time at the castle: the olives is picked by hand and within 48 hours they must be taken to the olive mill for pressing. In this period Castello di Cafaggio offers to their guest the possibility to follow the process and all the different production stages of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We organise on reuqest guided tours at the fields and in the oil mill where there will be tastings of the new pressed olive oil.

Our oil is our key product but we dedicate similar passion to the production of our Chianti wine, vinegar, vinsanto, and honey.

Cafaggio wine is produced to an old Chianti tradition using the typical mix of red (Sangiovese and Colorino) and white grapes (Trebbiano and Malvasia). In modern wine production the white grapes have been abandoned so as to produce a richer, more full bodied wine. For this reason it is increasingly difficult to find wines like ours. Its freshness and simplicity is much appreciated by local people and wine drinkers in general.

Cafaggio vinegar is produced from the fermentation of the Chianti DOCG grapes in oak casks for 6 months to a year. Once the transformation has taken place, the vinegar is allowed to mature for another year, again in oak casks. When an acidity level of 7,5 % is reached, the vinegar is filtered and bottled.

Cafaggio honey is produced, mainly for our own consumption, to traditional methods. It is only extracted for centrifuging and decanting and is not filtered or treated. For this reason it has an intense perfume and creamy consistency. It is much appreciated by our guests at breakfast-time, when it is delicious with ricotta and pecorino cheese.

Castello di Cafaggio gives its guests the opportunity of following directly the processing stages of its products through guided tours on request to the harvesting and picking (grapes and olives) and to the production areas (the cellars and the old stone oil press). Guests will also be able to take part in guided tasting activities and purchase directly the farm's products.

Cookery Courses: The cookery course, for a minimum of 2 and maximum of 8 people, on request, consists in practical and theoretical lessons which Gabriella Benci holds in the Castle kitchen. She teaches the preparation of traditional Tuscan dishes as well as recipes from other Italian regions which particularly complement Tuscan cuisine. She has also revived some delicious local recipes found in old Castle documents. Some had long been forgotten, but are always well received by our modern day students. The course, in Italian, French or English runs from 9.30 to 13.30 or from 15.30 to 19.30. Where possible, the dishes are prepared with our own organic produce which, depending on the time of year, we gather in the kitchen garden before starting the class. The lesson is rounded off by tasting all the dishes we have prepared, accompanied by our own wine, in the elegant Liberty dining room in the Castle with the large dining table fully laid up in formal style. All course participants receive copies of the recipes and an apron with the family crest on it.

Weddings Receptions: We will be delighted to organise your wedding reception at the Castello di Cafaggio - in the courtyard, Italian garden, Castle reception rooms and of course in the Castle's private Chapel - working alongside one of our specially selected caterers. With aperitifs in the romantic Italian garden, dining in the Castle courtyard, and the use of the big reception room that looks onto the courtyard, we can host up to 120 people. The wedding itself can be celebrated in the small family Chapel which is part of the parish of Impruneta. We are also delighted to help with the selection of flower arrangements and the organisation of musical accompaniment.

Bicycles and Trekking: You can go trekking or discover the surrounding landscape by bike. Bicycles can be rented on request in advance.

Services: Swimming pool, laundry, room cleaning, baby sitting, barbecue, trekking. On request we can organise wine tours in Chianti, guided tours in Florence and other cities.

Property Facilities Summary:
Banquets	Barbecue
Cellular Telephone Hire	Ceremony Management
Child Friendly	Computer
Concierge Service	Cooking Courses
Fax Service	First-Day Shopping
Groups Allowed	Guest Laundry
Guided Tours	Home Produce
Internet Connection	Ironing
Ironing Equipment	Luggage Storage
Meeting Room	Mountain Bike Rentals
Olive Oil Tasting	Outlet Tours
Photocopier	Private Parking
Private Transfer To / From City	Private Transfer To/From Airport
Private Transfer To/From Rail Station	Sightseeing Tours
Special Events	Swimming Pool
Ticket Reservation Service	Towels for Swimming Pool
Trekking	Washing Machine
Water Gym	Wedding Management
Wine Tasting	Wine Tours

Facilities Outside the Estate

Horse riding: You can havelessons or go trekking in the horse-trekking club near the farmhouse (2 km).
Golf: Nearby, there is also the famous 18-hole Golf Club Ugolino (6 km away).

A few kilometres from the Castello di Cafaggio lies the road 222 which goes to Siena, passing through gentle hills and taking in castles, badie (old monasteries), ancient stone farm houses and many small restaurants with pretty outside terraces. The first castle we encounter on this road is the Castello di Vicchiomaggio, then there is Castello di Uzzano which is just outside the town of Greve.

Before entering Greve, with its handsome square where a market is held every Saturday, we turn left and head for Montefioralle, a tiny, beautiful medieval hamlet. Once back on the road, heading for Siena, we will come across other wonderful castles and monasteries such as Castello di Vignamaggio, Castello di Volpaia, Castello di Meleto, Castello di Brolio, Badia a Passignano and Badia a Coltibuono.

Continuing along the road, we will find some of the most important wineries of the Chianti which are world famous, and where it is possible to stop and taste their wine. Finally we arrive at Siena - a unique moment. The old Cassia (Roman road) which goes to Rome will be another source of discoveries and surprises.

There are the Crete Senesi, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Volterra, Certaldo and many other lesser known villages, where sometimes just a church, a square or an old town hall give a glimpse into the past. Visiting these places which are so rich in history and beauty is the stuff of unforgettable memories. And everything is so close!