Castello di Fonterutoli Wine Resort

The staff at Castello di Fonterutoli Wine Resort were gracious and welcoming, and the hostess even remembered that I like spicy food. On our second day she surprised me with a bottle of hot sauce, a thoughtful touch that deserves a 5+ rating. We enjoyed dinner and breakfast there too, with fresh, flavorful food and local wines. Set among Chianti’s vineyards and quiet countryside, the resort had stunning golden sunsets over the hills. I also loved ending each day with a bath in the beautiful tub. A lovely place to slow down and enjoy Tuscany’s food and wine.

My mom, sister, and I felt unsafe after another couple entered our suite while we were napping. They had been let into a separate room in the suite that had been locked when we checked in. At the front desk, we were told the space was considered “family style,” like an apartment with several rooms for rent. No one had explained that before: it wasn’t in the Booking.com information, Mateo didn’t mention it at check-in, and reception hadn’t told us during any of our visits. We were alarmed by the lack of accountability from the property, manager, and owners. They offered a certificate for a free future night, but we left first thing the next morning. Mateo said the resort was full and had no available “private” spaces.

We only came for the wine tasting, so we can’t comment on the rooms or hotel. The Castello grounds are beautiful, and the winery itself is modern and new. At €45, the tasting felt pricey, even though the wines are among the region’s best. The cellar tour was quick and short on detail, then we tried four wines and left. The experience was okay, but for that price we felt the atmosphere was missing.

We stayed in the Duchesse suite, which is extremely spacious and has a chic feel. The hotel is lovely, almost like a small village. The wine tasting was very enjoyable, and we learned about their remarkable history going back 25 generations. Everything was beautiful, and staying overnight is well worth it if you’re in the Chianti area.