This organic farm is the same place as the Tenuta Casanova Winery that I previously reviewed. Please refer to that listing for the Sant'Agnese Farm.
We visited the farm as part of a day tour from Florence. It was the last activity of the day, not something I was really interested in, but it became the highlight of the day. I am not a big drinker, nor a real foodie, but after seeing and hearing the passion that Carlo has for his products (and tasting some amazing food and drink) I am a convert. The balsamic vinegar is so amazing that I bought some to bring home to Australia, I can't wait to put it on ice-cream. I also enjoyed the truffle oil (I won't even eat mushrooms on a pizza). The organic wine that we tasted was amazing, and it was the first time that I drank wine and didn't have any kind of allergic reaction. The friend travelling with me, who is a real foodie and knows about wine, also loved the tasting and bought some of the wine home. All in all, a must do.
My husband and another couple we're very close friends with traveled across Europe Sept of 2014 and one of our absolutely favorite experiences was visiting Sant' Agnese Farm. Carlo and his family were extremely nice, presented a wonderful small farm tour of their winery and impressed up imensely with their wine as well as their spectactular food pairings. I recommend this tour to anyone visiting Chianti. It's small and personal and a really really good value. Plus, you have the option to order and ship wine as well as their homemade balsalmic vinagrettes anywhere you want! Finding their farm can be tricky so be sure to allow enough time to scout it out or ask Carlo over email for the cordinates to be safe.
This was by far one of the highlights to our 2 week visit to Italy. We booked a last minute tour with Cristina Giannicchi (crisromanguide.com) and she booked us this winery. We drove up from Florence which was a lovely ride along the way and was so pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome and tour that was given. As others have noted, the owners are passionate about what they do. You can't fake that when you are telling the same information over and over again. I loved the aspect of a smaller organic family operation with labels being placed on their wine by hand. We live in Lancaster PA the home of many small Amish and organic farms. I saw the same love of the "land" there as we have here.Now as for the food - OH MY GOD. The best food that we ate in our 2 weeks HANDS DOWN. I am dreaming of the cheeses, lasgnana, and peach with balsamic. We took our 3 teenage children with us and they loved the experience just as much as we did.Oh course we purchased wine and oils and the FAMOUS balsamiq vinegar but really you don't feel pressured at all at the end of your meal.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. I want to return to the cooking school. This is an AUTHENTIC experience. Don't miss it. And by the way the cost was very resonable for the value of the food.
APRIL 2013: This was included when we booked a "Taste of Tuscany" tour through our travel agent. First of all, the drive getting there was fantastic and made me fall in love with Italy all over again. I loved being able to take in some of the scenery before our arrival. When we got to the farm, we were greeted so warmly you could have sworn we were family. The atmosphere was terrific and our host had a great sense of humor. He was also very passionate and knowledgable about all the food/wine. Everything we tasted was amazing, so I recommend trying all of what you're offered! When it was over, I didn't want to leave and would go back time and time again. You won't regret visiting this remarkable place!!
If you are driving about Tuscany like I was, looking for the ultimate experience, then stop in here. Alessandro, Carlo and Lauria do an unbelievable job presenting the vineyard from the wine to the balsamic vinegar (among other things ). Then make sure you schedule the lunch. It was off the charts. I was turned onto this place by my driver/guide. What a win. Shipped over a case of wine plus oil and vinegar back to the states. Job well done by the crew!
I have been using TripAdvisor for years, and my experience at St'Agnese has inspired me to finally officially join, and "give back" to the community I've been relying on for years to help me plan exceptional trips.I was told of St'Agnese by the car service transporting my 20-year-old daughter and myself after our stay in Rome, onward to Florence. I had asked to go to a "more famous" winery for our lunch stop, but was dissuaded by the company - and I'm so glad I listened! We stopped in Siena in the morning, and then onto the farm for lunch.We couldn't have asked for a more delightful experience. After the bustle of sightseeing in Roma, St'Agnese was the perfect respite. Carlo and his staff were friendly, knowledgeable and so very fun. The area was beautiful, the service was exceptional, we learned a lot about wine, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and we experienced Italian hospitality at its most authentic and finest. We tasted five wines, paired with a diverse antipasto platter (my favorite part was the omelette with truffle oil...) and were encouraged to find the pairing of wine and food that worked best for us. Then, there was lasagna, and finally a very thinly sliced, perfectly cooked and spiced meat dish (I almost never eat meat, but I just loved this).There was no pressure whatsoever to buy anything, but I wanted to be able to savor my memories, so I am home now, anxiously awaiting my shipment of goodies.On our last night of our trip, my daughter and I agreed that this was our favorite spot overall. It is the perfect combination of good food, good wine, the beauty of Tuscany, and the warmth of this wonderful country.
We were encouraged to try this boutique winery by our driver Joseph. A short tour by Carlo then to lunch. Perhaps 3 - 4 tables. We started with an antipasto that included scrambled goose eggs topped with truffle oil. Wow! We had the terrific lasagna, sliced pork, and desert, all the while sampling 5 -6 wines. The food was prepared at the winery by the owner's wife and everything we had was fresh and outstanding. The lunch is 60 Euro per person and worth every penny. I favored the Chianti Classico and the Merlot. Reasonably priced shipped to the states. They also are known for the balsamic vinegar--30 years old--and let me tell you it is terrific. Everyone was friendly and fun. It was one of the best things we did in Italy.
Amazing menu, service from both brothers was impeccable, and free flow of amazing wines. The food was homemade best Italian we have had and views from there were superb. The absolute quality of food was easily the best in Italy yet for us, but yet value for money even better! Beware, an empty glass will lead to a top-up(s)! Great times :)
We were taken by our tour operator - Marco Polo - he raved about the lasagna and it was amazing! Loved their truffle oil and balsamic vinegar , brought some home and enjoy the memories every time we use it. The family is so passionate about their winery and it shows in all they present to you as a tourist, from the time you arrive,eat and view their winery.