San Donato in Perano

San Donato in Perano is the villa on the top of the hills above Gaiole-in-Chianti. Perano is an Etruscan name, so there has probably been a settlement here since 500BC. The medieval borgo of San Donato was acquired by the famous Florentine family, the Strozzi, in the middle of the 16th century and converted into an elegant country estate. Today it is a large wine estate and the main house has been converted into apartments.

The cluster of buildings in the lower centre of the photo is called Capannelle. It is part of the group that owns the Villa San Michele, probably the best hotel in Fiesole looking down on Florence. For a modest payment, they will chauffeur you and your friends to Capannelle together with a butler and a chef for a gourmet break. I have seen some spectacular weddings held in the garden in the summer!

Here are a few more snaps that I took on my walk this morning: Gaiole-in-Chianti