Down a gravel driveway flanked by mature Italian Cyprus trees, La Dolce Quietudine, ‘the sweet stillness’, is perfectly encapsulated at The Capezzine by Avignonesi Winery. Through an arched iron gate and walkway, you enter a rustic agriturismo, where a handful of traditional buildings surround a small courtyard. It is here where, in the 1900s, there used to be a bustling community of commerce, but now finds itself being the center of Tuscan tranquility. Here, the rhythm of vita lenta, ‘the slow life’, invites you to pause, breathe in the fresh Tuscan air, and simply just be.
Surrounded by vineyards and other small farm stays in the distance, guests are welcomed by Melina, who works and has lived on the property for over 12 years. Following a brief tour of the grounds and sitting by the small fountain, and meeting Romeo and Tigro – the two cats and ‘managers’ of the property – guests learn about the provenance of the estate and the history of the traditional Tuscan farmhouse. With a history dating back to the early 1300s, it wasn’t until 1886 that owner Agiolo Vegni, who purchased the farm in 1837, transformed the farmhouse into a teaching school. Whilst Le Capezzine saw restoration under previous owners in the early 1990s, it wasn’t until 2009 when Virginie Saverys purchased the winery that its transformation into a benchmark for sustainable and biodynamic winemaking truly began.
Previously a working farmhouse and teaching center, a portion of its interior has been transformed into a modern, yet rustic apartment. Up two flights of stairs with plastered walls in a tan hue, guests enter their minimalistic yet well-appointed stay. Perfect for a small family or two couples traveling together, the space features two bedrooms, a small kitchen, dining, and a living room. Recently renovated in April, guests are welcomed by Matteo Giustiniani (CEO) and Alessio Gorini (COO), who present a true Tuscan welcome by cooking and sitting down with guests on their first dinner at the property. Setting the mood for the rest of the stay (with free-flowing bottles of their wine, of course), you instantly feel like you’re part of the family and steeped in the history of the space.
“Our doors are open not just to share wine, but to share our way of life. What we cultivate here is more than grapes,” said Matteo Giustiniani. “At Avignonesi, we don’t just welcome guests, we invite them to become part of our story. One rooted in respect, tradition, and guided by purpose and passion.”
Before retiring for bed after the journey from the Florence or Rome airport, you can further see the dedication and care of the team. From a fully stocked fridge with fresh eggs, local cheeses, yogurts, and salami to the tarts, muffins, biscuits, homemade jams, and ricciarelli on the kitchen windowsill for you to enjoy in the morning, you feel the warm hospitality ever present.
Begin your visit the next morning with a stroll through the iconic vineyards of La Stella and La Tonda, where history and beauty blend effortlessly. Led by Alessio and his team, you learn both the history of the vineyard along the winery’s biodynamic processes and visions for the future. As one of the largest biodynamic wineries in Europe – their nine estates include 439 acres of vineyards – they do not purchase any grapes, as they see themselves first and foremost as farmers. Fermented with indigenous yeast in French casks for a minimum of 12 months with another 12 months in the bottle, the finest Merlots for the Desiderio mature for 18 months in French oak barriques; while the Sangiovese for the Nobile di Montepucliano Poggetto di Sopra rests for the same period in large casks made of Slavonian and French Oak.
For a more in-depth tour, take part in their Grand Experience, which also takes you to the aging cellars, along with a seven-wine tasting menu with lunch. Guests can also join the winery chef to harvest organic ingredients and participate in a hands-on culinary adventure by preparing a full Tuscan menu, complete with handmade pasta and regional dishes. Beyond making handmade pici with fresh aglione sauce and tempura for frying vegetables and edible flowers, all guests will leave with an Avignonesi apron, corkscrew, drop stop, and recipe collection book to bring some of Tuscany home with them.
To further enhance your stay and get a true feel for the region, Gate 39 has been the winery’s go-to partner to assist with event planning and off-property excursions. The company specializes in supporting Italian businesses in the F&B industry to promote their brand and product in Italy and on the international scene.
Just a 30-minute drive from Avignonesi, a trip to Cortona to visit the Basilica of Saint Margaret and the Fortress of Girifalco, and enjoying panoramic views from Piazza Garibaldi, is a great way to absorb the culture. Other day trips to Montepulciano can be planned to visit local gems (literally) like Alisefa Jewelry Lab, who specialize in the production through ancient Etrurian techniques of filigrana and granulazione, before dinner at a local spot like Porta di Bacco.
Beyond the immersive tastings and culinary experiences, a stay at Avignonesi is a journey into a deeper philosophy of wine and hospitality. A vision rooted in sustainability, community, and purpose, with a model built on organic farming, sustainable practices, and long-term vision. Aligning with the ancient Greek ideal of kalòs kagathòs (literally translates to ‘the beautiful and the good’), they showcase how excellence in product is inseparable from ethical action.
