About Torre a Cona

Torre a Cona is one of the great, historic estates from the Colli Fiorentini in the heart of Chianti, located just 10 kilometers from Florence.

Anchored by one of the most beautiful and sumptuous eighteenth-century villas in central Italy and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, it has a long, well-documented history in the region. The first document attesting the existence of its Quona Castle dates back to 1066 AD. Leveled to the ground in the twelfth century with the exception of its impressive tower or “torre,” it was slowly rebuilt and expanded over centuries though the end of the 1800s. The Counts Rossi di Montelera, founders of Martini & Rossi, have owned the villa since 1935. During the Second World War, the house was requisitioned as headquarters for the German army, and then in the summer of 1944, it passed to the British, who used it as a hospital. Various works of art of Michelangelo and Donatello were protected in the cellars of Torre a Cona during the war, and it is said that the knowledge that these works of art were present saved the castle from being bombed.

As one of just 27 wineries within the Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG, Torre a Cona is very much a wine of Florence, located in the hillsides surrounding the city. The wines are produced using only fruit from their 15 hectares of vineyards that surround the estate. The vines are planted at 350 meters above sea level on soils that are predominantly of limestone, and all growing operations are carried out by hand.

Torre a Cona’s winemaking and vineyard management are focused on respecting the true varietal character of the grapes grown at the estate. They craft wines that are supple, elegantly balanced, and long-lived. The estate produces a variety of different wines, focused on both international and native varieties, as well as two unique dessert wines: Crociferro, Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG; Badia a Corte Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva DOCG; Colorino Casamaggio, Toscana Rosso IGT; Terre di Cino Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva DOCG; Il Merlot, Toscana Merlot IGT; Fonti e Lecceta Vin Santo del Chianti Occhio di Pernice DOC (100% Sangiovese); and Merlaia Vin Santo del Chianti DOC (50% Trebbiano Toscano and 50% Malvasia del Chianti).

The other half of the estate is dedicated to the production of olive oil and hospitality. The Torre a Cona property currently provides accommodation in seven private apartments with all the comforts of the rural houses, each outfitted with a kitchen, living room, and multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. The property is expanding to include a hotel on site adjacent to the historic villa. In addition, there is a common swimming pool and wine shop with tasting room, as well as cooking classes and various services on-demand.