Activities at Ristonchi

Make Your Own Pizza

learn how to make your own pizza from scratch, top it with fresh ingredients from our garden and cook it yourselves in the stone oven built right into the castle tower! Roll out fresh dough, sip local wine, and watch the sunset from the terrace. 
*The evening includes still water.
**Minimum of 30 participants. Not always available. Book in advance.

Pasta Making Class

From measuring the ingredients to the right way of kneading the dough, laying it out and cutting it - learn all the secrets behind pasta making. We will also prepare a sauce with herbs from the garden then enjoy the finished masterpiece.
*Minimum of 30 participants. Not always available. Book in advance.
**Menu varies according to the season and your needs. We use only the freshest ingredients available.

Wine Tasting

Enjoy a relaxed afternoon or evening at Ristonchi and taste the famous wines of the region in a medieval castle. A sommelier specializing in Italian wines will bring an assortment of local wine and guide you through a full range of wines and experiences. Our region of Chianti produces a wonderful, diverse selection of world class and award-winning wines and the expert local winemakers in our neighbouring villages are ready to share with you! We work closely with our local producers and shops to ensure that your Ristonchi Wine Tasting Experience teaches you about the best wines from our neighbouring villages. The tasting includes bread and local cheese to keep everyone going or you can treat yourself to the full experience and choose the option which includes additional meats, cheeses, crostini and vegetables. This event can be hosted outdoors or inside in the Ristonchi Rave Cave with a wine cellar.

Foraging Walk

Follow our guide around the castle grounds and beyond as they show you the amazing variety of edible plants and flowers and what they can be used for. Come ready to taste and experiment. You are encouraged to take notes and bring a small jar or bag to collect some seasonings for later! After the walk you'll head back to the castle to taste some of the products made on the property. Taste our olive oil straight from the tap, honey directly from the hive, then try some hemp or wild mint tea before  we finish off the tour.

Yoga

Yoga is offered by an experienced local teacher fluent in English. Classes must be booked in advance.

Hiking & Biking Trails

Beautiful and interesting trails surround the castello. Ristonchi Castle is on top of a mountain surrounded by olive groves and an ancient forest with over 20km of marked paths for walking and cycling.

 

Activities in the Area

Wine Tasting And Tour At Travignoli Winery

Tel: 0039.055.8361098
Info@travignoli.comvia
Travignoli 78, 50060, Pelago (Fi)

The beautiful and seemingly endless vineyards you drive past on your way to Ristonchi are part of Travignoli, a historic wine production area. World-renowned for growing wine for it’s soil, altitude, sunny days and cool nights. Travignoli is recognized as one of the oldest Italian wineries and has received "Italia 150" an award given by the National Unioncamere to the 150 oldest and longest-lived historic companies in Italy.

Tour and Tasting: 15€/person or 22€ with snacks (recommended!)

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Tour And Shop At Vallombrosa Abbey

055 862251 Loc. Vallombrosa, 115, 50066 Vallombrosa, Reggello Fi

A beautiful ancient Abbey that enchants in all the months of the year. In summer you can listen to classical music concerts. Inside the monastery do not miss the kitchen and the library (guardian of a centuries-old amanuensis writing, of incunable and rare manuscripts). On the ground floor you’ll find the Antica Pharmacy filled with products handmade by monks including liqueurs, honey, chocolate, creams and more.

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Visit Beautiful Florence

30 Km Away

Florence is one of the most charming cities in Italy. It’s full of history, being the birthplace of the Renaissance and has a quaint and romantic feel with picturesque spots and beautiful architecture at every turn. It’s a compact city and the Santa Maria Novella train station is right in the historic center. Stroll down the riverfront and see the amazing bridges beautiful day and night, tour the Uffizi Gallery, which hosts some of the most spectacular art from the Italian Renaissance. Michelangelo’s Statue of David (at the nearby Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze) and the Duomo Cathedral, with its famous dome by Brunelleschi. The whole city is truly a work of art so you don’t even have to set foot in a museum or gallery to soak in the splendid history. Those who love charming details will fall in the love with the cobblestones streets, intricately designed fountains, statues on every corner and rickety thatched rooftops and colorful shutters of local homes.

Reach Florence by car in 45 minutes. (Be sure you don’t drive into the city center or you’ll find a 100€ fine when you return home.) One reason why Florence is so pedestrian friendly is because the historic center is closed to traffic except for residents, taxis and buses. Great news for walkers and cyclists, not so great for drivers. This area is known as the "zona a traffico limitato" or ZTL, meaning it is a restricted traffic zone.

Take a quick scenic train ride from Pontessieve Station and be in the center of Florence in less than 25 minutes. A one way ticket costs 2-3€. Bus fare is 1.20€.

The Mall - Designer Luxury Outlets

055 865 7775 - Via Europa, 8, 50066 Leccio Fi

Luxury designer outlet mall brings some of the world’s most famous fashion brands to one single location.

Horseback Riding Lessons And Tours At Le Roverelle

333 265 9923 - Località Le Campacce, 50066 Reggello Fi

Beautiful and clean stables with many horses immersed in the calm and tranquility of the countryside. Laura, the owner, is a great teacher and leader. The entire staff is very helpful and knowledgeable. Tours from a few hours to full day with food for beginners to advanced riders.

Grocery Stores

Coop in Pelago 8 minute drive: Open 7:30-13:00 & 17:00-20:00 (closed Sundays)
Alimentari Degl'Innocenti Emiliano 10 minute drive
Coop in Pontassieve 15 minute drive: Open Mon-Sat 8:00-20:30 Sun 8:30-13:30