Villa Caserotta
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On the left of the road, Villa Senzano, a sober 16th century building, marks the beginning of a track that leads through fields to the opening where Villa Caserotta stands. The villa was built in the 15th century over the ruins of a Buondelmonti fortress, destroyed by the Ghibellines in 1260. In the 16th century it belonged to Matteo Strozzi, who, according to Vasari spent lavishly for its renovation, commissioning the design of the garden to the Medici architect Niccolò Tribolo. In 1561, the painter Michele di Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio was commissioned with the decoration of the chapel. ln the fresco of the Wedding at Canaan the artist included the portraits of Cosimo de’ Medici and his wife Eleonora di Toledo, who were probably once guests at the villa. Strozzi also restored the Church of Santa Margherita, which was later transformed by the Granucci, owners of the villa from 1741. The graceful 18th Century facade has a tympanum crowned by two elegant terracotta vases and is overshadowed by a huge ancient oak, whose trunk measures over six meters in circumference. lt is said that Saint Francis stopped to rest in its shade on his way to Chiusi. There was a cavity at the base of the trunk, large enough for four men to sit in and play cards.
The Perseto del Pozzo farm was bought and renovated by the Piazzini brothers in 1999. The farm owns approximately 23 hectares in the surroundings of San Casciano, with vineyards, olive groves and woods. The Perseto del Pozzo cellar is situated in a small valley, in perfect harmony with a natural environment of rare beauty. The vineyards lie on gently rolling hills, and the rows of espaliered vines are pruned with the “spurred cordon” method. They range in age between 8 and 25 years, and are cultivated at a density of 3000 to 5000 plants per hectare.
Address: Via di Perseto, 11/13 – San Casciano Val di Pesa Phone 0571 608638 e-mail:fattoriaperseto@yahoo.it – www.aziendepiazzini.florencewine.it
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