Castello di Volpaia — Restaurant in Radda in Chianti

A magical stay in a medieval village.

Castello Di Volpaia is contained inside a medieval village of original restored stone buildings, among which the various operations of wine production and the “hotel” business are housed. From the moment we arrived we could tell this was a special place. Walking the streets feels like going back in time, surrounded by authentic Tuscan history. Everyone we met was warm, friendly, helpful, and patient. The room was comfortable and well appointed and the food options are impressive for someplace off the beaten path. It was an excellent value for the money too. There are SO many options in Tuscany, it's tough to know what you're going to get. We lucked out with Castello di Volpaia. If you’re looking for a unique, authentic, quiet, elegant, and beautiful stay in the Chianti region, look no further!

We were met warmly upon arrival by Lorenzo, who escorted us to our room and showed us where everything was. Lorenzo made himself available to us via WhatsApp throughout our stay, patiently answering our questions. He helped us find restaurants, amenities like grocery stores and other attractions in nearby towns. He even showed us the best spot to watch the sunset (which was, of course, magical).

Much of the village of Volpaia has been taken over by the winery, but there are many guest rooms and suites, several restaurants, a wine shop, and a few private homes. The grounds are stunning and well kept, and even though there is a lot of winery work happening, it never interfered with our enjoyment - it actually added to it.

Our favorite restaurant on property was “Bar-Ucci”, a casual place with elevated Tuscan comfort fare, delicious cocktails, decadent homemade desserts, and of course, fabulous wines, all at reasonable prices. The staff there were all friendly and helpful, especially Lucreccia (unsure of the spelling). She provided great service and spot-on recommendations. We ate there every day, and she always remembered us and took good care of us.

The included breakfast spread is impressive as well. It’s presented buffet style inside one of the stone buildings on property and run by two lovely, friendly and helpful people who greeted us warmly every morning and remembered what we liked. There were SO many breakfast options! MANY fresh sweet and savory pastries, assorted meats and cheeses, fresh fruit, nuts, cereals, yogurt, juices, and even eggs and bacon to order. They made excellent cappuccino and Americano coffee as well. When we asked what brand of coffee they used, they went out of their way to find out for us.

We also took the winery tour with Fabio, our fabulous guide. He showed us every step of the wine operations, from the vineyard to the aging process. Fabio’s knowledge was impressive, he explained everything carefully and fielded our many questions patiently and graciously. We learned a lot.

The village of Volpaia is only a few minutes drive from the town of Radda, where you can find a grocery store, more restaurants, shopping, gas stations, etc. There are also several other nearby towns and attractions, making it a good hub for your Chianti Region adventures, as long as you have a car.

On this trip we visited many places, like Rome, Florence, and the Amalfi coast. Our visit to Castello di Volpaia was our favorite. The Chianti region is spectacularly beautiful, and the charming rustic stone village of Volpaia was a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. We will be back as soon as we are able! Thank you to the all the staff at Castello di Volpaia and Bar-Ucci for helping to make our vacation a...

We stayed at the Castello di Volpaia in March of 2024 as part of our bucket list trip to Italy which had to include a stay in a winery in Tuscany.

Volpaia is a tiny village that dates to 1000 AD when the Romans built a castle. Today it is a winery and four restaurants without losing any of its medieval charm. After the hustle and bustle of Venice and Florence this is a tranquil paradise. It is difficult to describe the incredible kindness and warmth of the staff - they are all five stars!

The “hotel” has different types of accomodations and we chose the upgraded regular room. Extremely cool 2nd floor room with whitewashed beams and ceiling. Modern bathroom and a comfortable bed. We were lucky to have a private balcony and lower terrace with loungers overlooking the understated pool area but every room is different. We had friends in the same class of room but had a very different but positive experience except for a hard bed.

Our mornings started with the breakfast buffet that was much more. Go, the lady in charge is wonderful along with her young and capable assistant. They provide a great continental buffet but also cook eggs to order along with porchetta which is the local equivalent of bacon but so much thinner and crispier. You can’t believe it until you try it! And the cappucino was amazing. What a great way to start the day.

The delightful thing about Volpaia is that this quaint medieval town hides a modern winery which produces beautiful Chianti Classico and Reservas as well as others. The wine tour was as interesting for its vinicultural experience as for the exposure to the ancient architecture.

The village has four restaurants, all wonderful in their own right, which I will post separately: Osteria Volpaia, La Bottega, La Piazzetta Bar-Ucci and the Pizzeria.

No exaggeration that this was one of the best travel...

A Gem in Chianti: Unforgettable Wine Tour at Castello Volpaia A visit to Castello Volpaia offers an enchanting journey through history, innovation, and exceptional wine, leaving a lasting impression with its stunning views and the captivating charm of its ancient stones. Our recent wine tour of the facilities was a highlight of our time in Tuscany. The experience was made all the more memorable by our tour guide, Francesco. A young man whose passion for wine and deep knowledge of the craft were evident in every explanation, Francesco brought the story of Volpaia to life. He expertly guided us through the beautiful old castle, revealing the truly amazing and ingeniously hidden wine technology seamlessly integrated within its historic walls. It was fascinating to see how centuries-old architecture houses a state-of-the-art winemaking operation. The castle itself is a marvel, and the panoramic views from its vantage point are simply breathtaking, offering a picturesque backdrop to an already impressive tour. The combination of the ancient setting, the innovative approach to winemaking, and Francesco's engaging guidance made for an unparalleled experience. For anyone visiting the Chianti region, a wine tour at Castello Volpaia comes highly recommended. It’s a perfect blend of Tuscan beauty, winemaking excellence, and passionate...