30 years of us, but a story with roots that reach much further back

It all began in 1965, when my grandfather, Dario Piccini, purchased Il Palagio. His dream was simple yet powerful: to have his own land to grow “a bit of everything” – vegetables, fruit, olive trees, and vines. He wanted a place to raise animals and provide for his family. He had the intuition and the heart to choose this breathtaking ridge overlooking the Conca d’Oro, a corner of paradise I learned to love as a little girl.

I grew up here, surrounded by my grandparents’ stories, learning to respect the rhythms of nature and the value of memory. Incredible as it may seem, this very place was the birthplace of Dino Bindi, the grandfather of my husband, Franco Guarducci. While I was growing up on these lands, he was listening to his own grandfather’s stories of when, as a boy, he worked the soil of Il Palagio with his family. These were the secrets of the same earth that destiny would one day lead Franco to work right by my side.

But to carry a dream forward, you also need practical vision, and that is where my “babbo” (dad) came in. Being a building contractor, he had the skill to restore Il Palagio while deeply respecting the stone architecture and the identity of the territory. With immense love and dedication, he renovated the house and, piece by piece, acquired new land to expand production and build our cellar: a space that is not a “museum,” but practical and functional. While my grandfather had started bottling the first Chianti Classico, my father – though focused on his main business – produced grapes for bulk wine, reinvesting every sacrifice and every cent to grow the company and allow me to carry this dream forward. Those were different times and perspectives, but hard work spoke the same universal language.

I began my own journey exactly 30 years ago. Years later, I was joined by Franco, a fundamental figure, incredibly practical and grounded. He invested all his strength and precision into this project shared with my father. Together, we chose to change the entire supply chain and production concept, aiming for the quality that characterizes our wines today—a pure expression of our territorial identity. At the same time, we transformed the soul of the Villa, curating the furnishings and finishes to give it a unique character. Franco was able to merge his past as a restorer and antique dealer with his present as a farmer, preserving the authentic beauty of this place.

We celebrate 30 years of official activity this year: we are the result of a dream born in ’65 and the strength of those who, later, knew how to turn it into reality. We have no idea where the future will lead us, but we will continue to walk with the same passion. Thank you to those who have been part of this journey and to those who continue to stand by us every day, choosing the fruits of our land. Follow us and come visit; our home is open to welcome you into our simple, family reality—the only one we know and wish to pass on.

However, we are aware that nothing remains perfect and identical to itself forever: even the most solid rock is shaped by time, and for this very reason, we prepare ourselves to embrace change as a new season necessary to keep flourishing.