POGGIO VIGNOSO
Toscana, Italy
Located 20 kilometers west of Firenze, along the banks of the Arno and perched between the two tiny communities of Capraia e Limite, is the breathtaking hilltop estate of Pugliano. Now in the hands of “Il Professore,” Luigi Donato, whose family has owned the estate for 150 years, this property is nothing short of historic–with records going back 13 centuries! Together with expert winemaker and “adopted son,” Fulvio Galgani, Luigi Donato of Fattoria di Pugliano has chosen to focus on wines that are unique to the region, such as the ultra-rare Pugliano–a clone of Sangiovese that only grows on their hill! In addition, they have maintained the vast botanical gardens of Pugliano, and preserved another amazing gem–one of Italia’s three oldest private theatres. Strolling through the house (which resembles a mini Versailles) and the vast, forested grounds, we have to admit–it’s certainly not difficult to see where the artists (both past and present) got their artistic inspiration.