Wait...but Sveva, didn't you already get married at Grand Hotel Majestic on Lago Maggiore? Yes—Yes, I did. But that doesn't mean I can't explore new villa rentals and/or wedding venues? I plan trips for clients and help out with destination weddings all the time. Plus, who knows...a 10 year wedding anniversary might be right around the corner. Pat and I can always find another excuse to celebrate. Let me tell you about Borgo di Vignamaggio in Chianti, once owned by Verrazano (yes, the same Verrazano as the bridge). It's perfect for a Chianti wedding venue or a weekend getaway with a big group of friends and family.
When Vignamaggio purchased the villa, it took 6 years for construction to bring the property back to life. It was not maintained by previous owners and was broken down. Vignamaggio purchased it, restored it, named it Borgo di Vignamaggio, and opened it 3 years ago in 2021. When someone is not renting the 17 room villa for personal purposes, Borgo di Vignamaggio is hosting an average of 20 events per year, it's most popular request being a Chianti wedding venue.
With 17 rooms, the estate can host about 34 people. At an average price of 29,000 euro per night (breakfast and security included), that's only about 852 euro p/person, per night...that's really not that bad if you think about it!! The hardest part is just getting that big of a group of people to commit. And of course, there are minimums. Typically a 3 night minimum stay on weekends and 2 night during the week.
Borgo di Vignamaggio includes a retractable pool that overlooks the village of Panzano in Chianti in the distance (where we were staying at the property's hotel, Pensione di Vignamaggio). The property is a full 360 where you can see the property's expansive acres of vineyards, rental properties, woods, and plots of land including free range Sienese pigs from every angle for miles.
The outdoor patio has an old school elevator that takes you down to a lower garden level...I could imagine getting married here a second time. My grand entrance would be through the elevators, pictured in the upper right hand corner. I'd come up and the elevator doors wood open, my grand entrance wearing my wedding dress. Thoughts?!
The picture above was one of the dining areas available for events. The walls are adorned with paintings of wedding dresses from different eras. Loved that touch!
The expansive estate was originally two separate pieces: The landlord's main villa and the headquarters where the sharecroppers used to live. During construction, Vignamaggio connected the two using an indoor winter green room. It was large enough to host a gathering of at least 40 people. I wouldn't mind setting up a room like this, for a warm place in winter, with plants all year. It was one of the prettiest rooms I'd ever seen. It had abundant flowers and trees as well as couches and wicker chairs for people to lounge in and even a fountain. The glass windows trapped the sun perfectly, creating a sensation that was comfortable and warm.
We continue our tour of the Chianti wedding venue. The sound of my shoes hitting the orange and pink terracotta Brioni floor. The dining table is long enough to host a whole family of people. Next to it is the private bar. The entrance is marked by a single sparkling bottle of wine standing on a column, like a piece of art. What wine isn't? It is their signature sparkling wine that leads the way to their bar. The designer and owner loves playing with the cotto color, typical of Tuscany, which is why the bar was millennial pink. Bottles and bottles of the property's sparkling wine line the walls and are mirrored by a bar backsplash of pink mirror tiles. The effect is surreal.
Now here is something I have never seen...the property has it's own private barber shop. Yes, you read that right. Try and Google someone owning their own private barber shop room. It's not a thing and unique to this Chianti wedding venue, Borgo di Vignamaggio. The centerpiece of the room was a vintage barber shop chair that was super difficult to find.
We then move onto the "book tower." A part of the long and complex history of the villa included it being a prison during WWII. Some of it's history was kept in the walls. The book tower is a spiral staircase lined with books for one to peruse. On the wall opposite the books is a cotto colored wall with what looks like built in frames with black and white stencil drawings or carvings into the wall. These are prisoner drawings from way back then that were kept as part of Borgo di Vignamaggio's history. The prisoners were artistic back then! Drawing images from the village of Panzano in Chianti, to the war and military, to naked ladies. Their inspiration took them a bit everywhere...!
Chianti is connected to the history of Verrazano. Verrazano was actually born in Greve, maybe even in this property...we don't know exactly. It says he was born in Vitigliano and this Borgo di Vignamaggio is called Vitigliano. Their vines are Vitigliano vines. Therefore, Verrazano was either born in Borgo di Vignamaggio or in the Castle next door, Verrazano Castle. During the Renaissance until the 18th century, the owner of the castle was the same owner of this villa. Then the villa was sold and abandoned and Vignamaggio decided to purchase it, restore it, and dedicate a room to Verrazano in his honor.
That's why this lounge room is sailing themed. You'll find tools that Verrazano made in the past, maps, and replicas of his journey. Borgo di Vignamaggio went as far as to contact a museum in France (Viet) where the Verrazano ship started from. The man who sponsored his trip to America was French and started in Normandy. The ship you see in the center of the room is a copy of the model that they had in the Viet museum.
Fun Fact: The iron wrought chandelier in this room was the only thing left in the villa when they found it and the only OG remaining item really.
Lastly, we tour a handful of the 17 different rooms available on the property. Each with it's own distinct artwork, furniture, view, and design. The one pictured above is the wedding suite. It includes a bathtub and shower large enough to fit legitimately 10 people (haha!) and a secret cabinet in the walk in closet to hide a wedding dress in the room.
Every few feet, terraces open up to a different view or a different spicchio, or segment, as we'd say in Italian of the Chianti countryside. Every time we pop outside, it feels like we're in a different location. There's no shortage of privacy and photo opp moments on the property. Every guest has their own scorcio, or slice, of paradise - a balcony with a view.
The grand finale ends in the subterranean club, bar, and movie showing theatre room. Yea - you heard that right. A cotto colored cave keeps guests cool as they dance through the wee hours of the night in this dedicated club and dance floor. Disco ball and strobe lights included. It's connected to another elegant bar with access to an outside terrace for those who need respite from the music. If you're just looking to lounge with friends and family and enjoy a movie night, the cinema room is perfect. If you have a Chianti wedding, speeches, acts, and more can be done on stage for guest entertainment. I mean...the list goes on. Perhaps a way to entertain kids with an act while the parents dance it up in club area? Just a thought...
The Chianti wedding venue looks like something out of an Italian fable. It checks all the boxes - history, class, size, multi-use for events and or friend and family gatherings, and uniqueness. All that is left is to try and live this Italian fairytale once in my lifetime.
