Castello Di Tornano Chianti

The Tornano Castle is an ancient and suggestive noble residence of the eleventh century in the evocative hills of Chianti; a historic residence that was renovated in 2001 and used as a hotel, preserving that elegant and noble atmosphere of the past, pleasantly welcoming and hospitable.

For over 1000 years the walls of this castle have silently witnessed intrigues, fights and conspiracies; the first mention of the “curtem” of Tornano dates back to July of the year 790, the 17th of Charlemagne’s reign in Italy.

Indeed, it seems that 3 Longobard brothers named Atroald, Adonald and Adopald donated Tornano to San Bartolomeo monastery in Ripoli (Florence), founded by their great-grandfather Adonald.

On 23 January 1167, with a decree kept in the Brolio archives, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa dispossessed Warnellottus (Guarnellotto) of Tornano of his rights to Tornano and Campi Castles “pro gravibus malefici que contra nostram coronam commisit” (Guarnellotto had committed the irregularity of capturing an imperial messenger), granting them to his general, Ranieri di Berelingero.

Guarnellotto’s ferocity was renowned. Owner of the two strategic sites of Tornano and Campi, he used to watch one of the busiest roads and extort money from those travelling along it with brutal regularity.

The ownership of Tornano passed to the Ricasoli Firidolfi family. Inside the walls of Tornano Castle was an ancient chapel that became a parish annexed to Pieve di San Marcellino. In a 1427 census, the Parish of San Quirico in Tornano had 32 inhabitants split into 5 “hearths” or families.

During the two bloody Aragonese invasions of 1453 and 1477 that led to the destruction or damage of the main castles of our Chianti area (the mighty Brolio included), Tornano – true to its inaccessible place tradition – resisted the impact well and was never taken.

Tornano Castle has been owned by the Selvolini family of Florence since the 1970s. They have expertly relaunched its image with a beautiful accommodation facility that is the pride of all of Chianti and beyond.

ROOMS & SUITES
Tornano Castle offers guests luxurious bedrooms in the castle and comfortable apartments in the adjacent farmhouse. Ancient oak woods, fine vineyards and olive groves on the estate allow you to enrich your holiday with relaxing walks.

A wonderful swimming pool, created in the ancient moat by the sunbathing lawn, and a free tennis court are at the disposal of sportier guests and others who simply wish to recharge their batteries.

CASTLE SUITE
Spacious and romantic suite located on the second floor of the castle, special for a romantic getaway or a short family getaway. Its position allows you to enjoy maximum privacy and tranquility.

Large double bedroom with canopy bed and fine period furniture, separate lounge with double sofa bed ideal for children if needed. The large bathroom communicating with both bedrooms, equipped with double sinks, “Devon & Devon” style bathtub and large travertine shower is embellished with precious golden taps.

Equipped with soft terry bathrobes, high quality bathroom courtesy line produced in Italy, slippers for the bathroom and terry towels, safe, hairdryer, WI-FI, minibar, kettle, espresso coffee machine, TV, air conditioning, telephone.

ROOFTOP SUITE
For couples and special and romantic events in an exclusive atmosphere! Thanks to its 8 windows it enjoys a 360 ° panoramic view of the beautiful hills and magnificent vineyards of the classic Chianti.

Our most beautiful room designed for you, with an elegant and refined style, has a king crown bed, brocades and precious fabrics with touches of purple and gold, furnished with unique and elegant period furniture in solid wood, with high ceilings and bathroom covered in travertine and whirlpool tub ideal for 2 people.

In the living area there is a French double sofa bed, minibar, electric kettle, espresso machine, TV. Equipped with soft sponge bathrobes, high quality bathroom courtesy line produced in Italy, bath slippers and terry towels, safe, hairdryer, WI-FI, air conditioning, telephone. The only room on the third and top floor of the Tower is accessible only via ancient stone and wood stairs.

DELUXE TOWER 
For romantic stays in a magical atmosphere, with a panoramic view of the green hills of Chianti. Sumptuous rooms where you will live like in a fairytale!

They have an exclusive and refined style, unique and elegant solid wood period furniture, crown bed, brocades and precious fabrics with touches of purple and gold, with high ceilings and exposed beams and bathrooms covered in travertine …. to make you feel like you used to live in this Castle. They are only accessible via ancient stone and wooden stairs.

They offer air conditioning, electric kettle, espresso coffee machine, minibar, TV, hairdryer, safe, shower or bathtub, high quality bathroom courtesy line produced in Italy, bath slippers, and soft terry towels, telephone, Wi-Fi. Fi.

CLASSIC CASTLE
Comfortable and romantic for couples, for a step back in time or a romantic getaway! They offer precious and original period furnishings. Some with a crown bed and all with fine fabrics and furnishings in warm classy woods, they have travertine bathrooms with refined taps and precious metal, with large showers or bathtubs.

They offer views of the castle gardens and the Tuscan countryside or the imposing 11th century tower. Equipped with high quality bathroom courtesy line produced in Italy, slippers for the bathroom and terry towels, safe, hairdryer, WI-FI, minibar, kettle, TV, air conditioning, telephone.

IL GUARNELLOTTO DA TORNANO
Our cuisine is essentially based on typical, traditional Chianti dishes. Those we offer have something in common – the strict use of genuine produce, starting from our Tuscan IGP extra virgin olive oil, only locally-produced charcuterie and cheeses, game to include pheasant and wild boar from our game reserve, and fine Chianina beef from the Castle’s valleys.

Our pasta is strictly hand-made and the seasonal vegetables grown in our vegetable garden are the utmost expression of the flavours of our land.

THE WINE CELLAR
Chianti is the region of the Black Rooster and of the good Sangiovese grapes. The position and the soil of the vineyard make our Chianti Classico wine unique.

Our direct sale is located inside the Torre del Castello di Tornano, in a suggestive historical setting: the ancient prisons. Here it is possible to taste and buy our wines and our extra virgin olive oil. The tastings of our wines can be carried out every day in our cellar, upon reservation at the reception.

COOKING CLASS
Our cookery courses take place in a relaxed, informal atmosphere where learning how to prepare a typical Tuscan menu will be a cultural and emotional experience.

Our Chef offers traditional Chianti dishes, from homemade pasta to “Old Style” wild boar, rounding it off with his “cantucci” biscuits. At the end of the class guests can enjoy the dishes prepared, accompanied by a glass of our excellent Castello di Tornano Chianti Classico.

WEDDINGS & EVENTS IN TUSCANY
In the thousand years of history of the castle many happy events have happened: weddings, births,large banquets, celebrations and even the Swedish famous DJ AVICII has produced one of his albums transforming our panoramic room in the vineyards into a music room.

Even today it is wonderful celebrating in the ancient living rooms, on the tower loan or in the beautiful gardens next to our swimming pool which has been dug in the old moat of the castle. All these places have witnessed the union in marriage of couples for almost a millennium.

The size of the castle with its 52 beds and its fairytale atmosphere is ideal for 2 or 3 days exclusive renting. It is the ideal frame for intimate events but also for bigger ones. We take care of each single detail including food, wine, music, photographer , flowers and any other set up.

Spouses can celebrate at the castle a symbolic ceremony, on the contrary the civil rite can be done in the hall of Gaiole in chianti or Siena. Religious ceremonies can also be done in one of the multiple wonderful churches around. We can do personalized labels for wine or olive oil bottles or any other thing you wish for your special occasion.

You can welcome your guests on the swimming pool bridge, you can have a tasty cocktail on the tower loan and enjoy the breathtaking view of the sunset on the roof top tower terrace. You can then go on with a gala dinner under the stars and a dancing night in the castle court. You can also enjoy medieval shows or fireworks.

Inside the castle there are several connecting living rooms that can host up to 52 guests for the welcome cocktail or the dinner. We also organize incentive , team building , or any other party you wish

SURROUNDINGS
Tornano Castle is a few km from Gaiole in Chianti, on a panoramic hill a short distance from three UNESCO sites: romantic, medieval Siena (25 km), Renaissance Florence with its art and historic monuments (60 km), and panoramic San Gimignano with its “hundred” towers (50 km). Our staff are at your disposal to suggest and plan cultural itineraries and routes so that you can discover the various ancient Tuscan villages nearby.

The EROICA roads Along panoramic roads winding through the captivating Chianti Classico Gallo Nero growing area, among vineyards, olive groves and woods, are many picturesque villages and an infinite variety of views and emotions!

The unspoilt countryside of the “Strada dei Castelli del Chianti” road meets ancient castles, wineries and famous villages rich in history and works of art: Radda in Chianti is 10 km away and Greve in Chianti 30 km.

In the nearby valleys are the medieval stronghold of Certaldo Alto (home of writer Giovanni Boccaccio), Monteriggioni with its typical town walls, Colle Val d’Elsa the glass town, and the Etruscan town of Volterra.

For those who are more food lovers and love ancient flavours, as well as typical Tuscan cuisine, it is worth visiting the cradles of our local wine and food tradition: medieval Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano famous for their fine wines (Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano) and tasty pecorino sheep’s milk cheeses (from Pienza) with various types and qualities of aging. Not to mention the thermal baths of Rapolano Terme, 30 km away, plunging into the hot springs for wellness and health!

Rooms: 19

Price: from 120 EUR per night

Source: www.castelloditornano.it