Fontanelle Estate Unveils Unified Chianti Living Experience for 2026 Season

Fontanelle Estate, located in the heart of Chianti Classico, has announced a new chapter for its hospitality offerings with the launch of “Chianti Living” for the 2026 season. The estate, which includes Hotel Le Fontanelle 5* and The Club House 5*L, will now operate under a unified vision that aims to provide guests with a seamless experience across both properties. This integration is designed to blend accommodation, activities, and dining into a single narrative that highlights the region’s landscape and traditions.

The 2026 season begins with the reopening of The Club House on April 1, followed by Hotel Le Fontanelle on April 15. This year also marks the twentieth anniversary of Hotel Le Fontanelle, which was restored by the Bolfo family in 2006 from an ancient rural hamlet. Over two decades, it has become a symbol of authentic Chianti hospitality.

Fontanelle Estate’s new approach focuses on creating complementary experiences between its two flagship properties. Guests can expect a range of curated activities that showcase the territory’s identity. These include guided truffle hunting in nearby woods, cooking classes centered on Tuscan culinary traditions, private dining in secluded corners of the estate, and stargazing evenings using professional astronomical equipment. Other offerings include e-bike tours through the hills, horseback riding excursions, hot-air balloon flights over the countryside, wine tastings featuring local producers, and wellness sessions designed to help guests reconnect with nature.

General Manager Phoebe Farolfi describes the estate’s vision for 2026 as one where hospitality goes beyond accommodation. She emphasizes that the goal is to offer an immersive lifestyle experience rooted in time, silence, and a deep connection to the landscape.

Hotel Le Fontanelle sits atop the hills of Castelnuovo Berardenga and features 36 rooms and suites spread across historic buildings. The property includes Villa Il Mandorlo, which serves as a private retreat for guests seeking exclusivity. The hotel’s wellness center spans 240 square meters and offers an indoor heated pool with vineyard views, a sauna, Turkish bath, and a fully equipped gym. Outdoor amenities include a panoramic pool that blends into the surrounding scenery. Guests can participate in territorial experiences such as e-bike tours, horseback riding, and wine tastings. Dining at La Colonna Restaurant focuses on Italian tradition with seasonal ingredients and can be enjoyed indoors or on the Belvedere Terrace during summer months.

The Club House offers a contemporary interpretation of Chianti Classico style within an adults-only setting for guests aged 14 and older. Opened in 2022, it occupies an ancient farmhouse updated with minimalist design elements like terracotta floors, exposed beams, natural stone walls, and large windows overlooking the landscape. With only 15 rooms available, it provides an intimate atmosphere. The Wellness Sanctuary covers 400 square meters and features an indoor pool, hydrotherapy area, sauna, Turkish bath, salt-mist tepidarium, yoga studio, and treatment rooms.

Culinary options at The Club House include Il Visibìlio—a fine-dining venue for just 12 guests offering a “blind” tasting menu focused on seasonality—Osteria Il Tuscanico for regional dishes served in a convivial setting, and Bar Amarantho for cocktails and evening gatherings. Chef Francesco Ferrettini leads the estate’s unified gastronomic philosophy after previous roles on the Tuscan coast and at Belmond Castello di Casole. His approach centers on contemporary cuisine rooted in local and seasonal ingredients.

Phoebe Farolfi notes that for 2026, luxury at Fontanelle Estate is defined not by extravagance but by quality time spent in meaningful connection with Chianti’s landscape and traditions. The estate’s new direction aims to attract travelers seeking authenticity and immersion in Tuscany’s cultural heritage while celebrating two decades of hospitality excellence.