VIP Tours
Tuscan Farm House, Casabella
Fattoria Lavacchio, is an ancient Tuscan farm situated on the top of the Montefiesole hill, on a Roman route which is nowadays called the Chianti Rufina wine road. This road goes beyond the Sieve river, then climbs up the hillock and overlooks the Fiesole and Florence valleys.
The farm is situated in the charming landscape of mild hills, one of the most suggestive in Tuscany, between the towns of Rufina and Pontassieve, where the main activity has been for centuries, the art of producing wine and oil of high quality.
The farm has been completely redecorated and furnished with great care. Every morning we serve our guests a rich breakfast buffet, with various delicious homemade jams and cakes, local hams and cheeses. At Fattoria Lavacchio you can visit the wine cellars with durmast barrels where you can taste excellent D.O.C.G. wines produced by the farm itself. It is also possible to see how the extra-virgin olive oil is produced on our farm, following the most ancient methods by using the millstones. Our restaurant offers a wonderful selection of Tuscan specialities prepared every day with fresh and genuine ingredients.
Facilities within the Estate
Breakfast: A rich buffet of various homemade foods served daily between 8.15 am and 10.00 am. If you prefer we can deliver fresh bread and milk every morning right to your apartment.
Bar and Restaurant: From June 2004 two restaurants available with the pool side buffet and "Trattoria Mulino a Vento" with menu ā la carte. Old Tuscan recipes for a country atmosphere.
Cooking Classes: Learn to cook with our chef in our restaurant. We run cooking classes twice a week in the mornings however our chef is very flexible so please enquire if you are interested.
Swimming pool: The large pool is located at Podere Casabella, 300 m. from the appartments of Podere Monterifrassine, 300 m. from Podere Casanova and 800 m. from Casa del Mugnaio.
Windmill: we have just restored the 18th Century windmill that belongs to the property. The mill is working and open to visitors. In the mill a miller produces flour using traditional methods that our baker then uses to make organic bread, cakes and biscuits.
Visit the Oil Mill & Olive oil tasting: Once a week or even more, depending on requests of the guests, we organize guided tours of the Olive Mill of the mansion and olive oil tasting classes.
Visit the wine cellars & Wine tasting: We arrange visits of the wine cellars at Fattoria Lavacchio where you can see the barrels in durmast wood and taste the excellent D.O.C.G. wines, produced by the farm itself. Wine tasting tours take place once a week (but usually not Saturdays). The time varies according to demand so if you are interested, please enquire.
Horse riding: We organize horse riding in the surrounding woods and hills.
Mountain bike and Trekking: You can go trekking or discover the surrounding landscape on mountain bike, living as if cars have never been invented (rental of mountain bikes is required).
School of Ceramics: At Casabella you can find even artistic activities. Take part in our ceramics art course taught by a well-known ceramist, who lives and produces his fine products on the farm.