Chiesanuova
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In Chiesanuova, at the crossroad with the old country road to Cerbaia, there was a tavern known as “del ballatoio”. This became a farmhouse belonging to the friars of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence, who also owned the small Church of San Donato. This church was known as “la Chiesa Nuova” because it was built later than the Church of San Bartolomeo in Faltignano. After 1874, when the Volterrana road to Cerbaia was moved, the village grew around he church. The church, first recorded in 1291, fell into disuse when the friars left but was restored in 1787 by Giovanni Gaspare de’ Menabuoi, Lord of Massanera, who dedicated it the family’s Saint, Santa Cristina de’ Menabuoi. The simple facade has a doorway with Christ’s monogram below the shield of the Gallizioli family, the church’s 19th century patrons. Their tombs lie inside the church, together with those of some members of the Menabuoi and Cattaneo families, Massanera’s present owners. The floor in front of the altar is decorated with three Romanesque inlaid polychrome marble paving stones of unknown provenance. On the wall are two remarkable works of art, originally in the Church of San Bartolomeo in Faltignano. The first is a cusped panel depicting Saint Andrew attributed to Jacopo di Cione and collaborator Giovanni del Biondo. An inscription on the base dates it to 1380. It is an interesting example of the austere sculptural style of Florentine painting at the end of the 14th century. The second, a Madonna with Child and Saints by the painter known as the Maestro di Marradi, echoes, in the 1520s, the style of Botticelli and il Ghirlandaio, while still employing the 14th century decorative techniques of pastiglia, tooling and punching for the halos.
The Fattoria Montanine extends over 74 hectares of land: 11 hectares of specialized vineyards for the production of their Chianti DOCG and approximately 3000 olive trees which produce an excellent extra-virgin olive oil. Other 30 hectares are covered by Mediterranean woods. The heart of the estate is Villa Le Montanine, an old and harmonious 17th century building, whose lofty halls now host receptions and wine and oil tasting. The estate welcomes guests for weekly stays in four comfortable homes, situated in tranquil and panoramic positions, which can accommodate up to 40 people. Each house has a fully equipped kitchen, its own garden and access to the estate’s swimming pool. Weddings can be celebrated in the private chapel. The owners speak French and English and greet guests personally.
Address: Via Volterrana, 45 – 50023 Impruneta (FI) Phone +39 055 2373055
Enrico Sestini e-mail: fattoriamontanine@hotmail.com
Costantino Sestini e-mail: costantinosestini@hotrnail.com
www.lemontanine.com
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