Rocca Di Castagnoli — Local services in Gaiole in Chianti

We have stayed in Tuscany, in a variety of accommodation types, for many years. This has to rank as one of the best experiences we've had in Italy - despite indifferent weather this year. The medieval hill-top town and winery is idyllic - you can feel the history around you; the management is first class and the staff are all wonderfully helpful, caring and courteous: nothing is too much trouble. All staff from reception, to the cleaners, and the restaurant staff were happy and smiling and seemed genuinely keen; a sign they're appreciated by owner and management.||||We had a spendid, spacious apartment with breathtaking views of classic Tuscan countryside. Booking an apartment enables you to choose, on a daily basis, whether to eat at Max's first class restaurant on the premises (more of which later); to cook for yourself and eat on your terrace (also with the same glorious views); or to venture into Gaiole or other close villages and towns to try the restaurants recommended so helpfully by Max and/or the staff at reception. All rooms in the apartment were spacious, including the bathroom with whirlpool bath; yet they are simple and in keeping with the old-world nature of the place - exposed beams, teracotta tiles, fresh crisp linen and yet enlivened by contemporary art. ||||The restaurant (again with panoramic views) is first class. Max provides the best of Tuscan produce. On our visit he'd acquired fresh porcini mushrooms one night, each the size of a coffee mug, which he brought to our table in a basket and invited us to smell the aroma before offering to cook to order a carpaccio with herbs or a risotto or a pasta. This on top of an already pretty extensive menu. Another evening he did the same with freshly acquired, massive truffles! He is passionate about food and cooking and the results speak eloquently of that passion - everything's delicious. A wine tasting is highly recommended as well; other reviewers on this site have said it all about that, so no need to elaborate further. ||There's always so much to see and do in Tuscany but if you want some days just chilling out at the pool, it's a good pool area with trees to give shade and sunny terraces as well, with those great views again.||As you can tell, we loved the whole place!! Thanks to Ester, Cristina, Max and the whole team at Rocca....

I need to preface this review by saying I have been involved in active tourism in Italy for the last 18 years, at the highest level, acting as manager for several of the top active travel companies based here in Italy.|||| I have specialized in Tuscany since 1997 and many Tuscan friends have commented I know Tuscany better than they do (I am actually American but have lived in Italy full time since 1988). So I know what excellent customer service and amazing venue represent and are realistically here in Tuscany....And Castagnoli merits a 5 star plus rating for customer service in the Wine tasting room and for the fine room cleaning staff.|||| I cannot praise enough the professionally, courtesy, helpfulness and kindness experienced when dealing with the WIne Tasting room's staff/Hosptitality: Cristina, Barbara, Ilaria and Esther. And this event took over 12 months to organize - so plenty of time to evaluate their helpfulness - they are downright lovely people. I honestly cannot find the words to express my deepest gratitude to them. So THANK YOU !!!!||||The Wine Tasting they offer is the best in the entire territory - for the range and quality of the wines available for tasting, including rare, older vintages - also available for purchase.||||Therefore, when it was time to throw a mega celebration for family and friends from around the world, I knew Rocca di Castagnoli had to be the place.||||I am a professional sommelier and have reviewed wines on Italy's most prestigious wine guide called Duemilavini. So for me, the quality of the wines also played into our decision to host our party here. And Rocca di Castagnoli has an amazing range of wines, with excellent quality to price ratio.||||We reserved the entire Rocca for ourselves, family and friends for three days - and created memories which we will cherish a lifetime.||||Also, as my partner is also involved in luxury tourism and has been for the last 20 years, there were many of our friends from this field of work present at our event- and each and every one of them commented on how amazing Rocca di Castagnoli is as far as lodging and Wine...

The setting is fantastic. Stunning views over the Chianti hills and the local vineyard as you drive up the hill to the property. The primary business is the vineyard and the wine/olive producing with the hotel aspect a secondary add on but this makes it an utterly charming boutique hotel and although you have to let them know rough arrival time and reception only open between 9 and 6.30, they were so friendly and helpful. We had to leave early in the morning so checked out night before which was really easy. Room was really clean with breathtaking views,nice pool and great buffet breakfast. We bought a bottle of wine downstairs and took it to the terrace by the rooms in the tower strongly recommend doing this. ||The restaurant is only open in the evenings but food is high quality. Lunch option just 2 minute walk away with another roof terrace which did cheap but surprisingly great food. ||Highly recommend staying here. The views, warmth of the staff, pool, restaurant etc make it a beautiful...