The Rich History of Villa di Geggiano
by Tom Wolf
Villa di Geggiano
© Joanie Bonfiglio
Villa di Geggiano
© Joanie Bonfiglio
The Rich History of Villa di Geggiano
by Tom Wolf
If the walls of Villa di Geggiano could talk, they’d have some of the richest stories to tell of any estate we visit every year in France and Italy. They’d speak of the Bandinelli family’s arrival at the modest and original 14th-century farmhouse just north of Siena in 1527. They could share HGTV-worthy details of the property’s expansion, in 1768, into a magnificent villa, and gossip from the undoubtedly opulent parties held thereafter. They might reenact the works performed at the estate’s outdoor theater by Vittorio Alfieri, the 18th-century dramatist and poet considered to be the founder of Italian tragedy; or scenes from Stealing Beauty, the 1996 film shot at the Villa by Bernardo Bertolucci, starring Liv Tyler and Jeremy Irons. They might divulge how Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli, famed archaeologist, Communist, and grandfather of the current proprietors, Andrea and Alessandro, redistributed much of the estate’s land to its sharecroppers after the Second World War.
Today, these walls would tell of the lavish weddings that take place at the Villa, helping the Bandinelli brothers cover the cost of maintaining this National Heritage site.
But most importantly, they’d sing of the pure, hearty, and joyous reds made by our longest-running producers of Chianti Classico, Andrea and Alessandro. Using organic methods to honor and maximize their clay-rich soils surrounding the Villa and big barrels to age the wine, they make a charming Toscana rosso and exuberant Chianti Classico for drinking now, as well as a stately and age-worthy Riserva that’s a match made in heaven for a ribeye.
Wines In The Collection
Villa di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany
Broad-shouldered, with hearty tannin and acidity and a dark, earthy quality to its fruit, it is a lumberjack wine that can cut through anything a Tuscan table can throw its way—wild game and aged cheeses are some of our favorites.
Villa di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany
This new release highlights a parcel shielded from the hottest hours of afternoon sun by tall silver oaks (lecci), yielding a gentler Chianti characterized by dark, sultry fruit, luxurious spice, and velvety tannins.
Villa Di Geggiano Italy | Tuscany
August Club Rouge ~ Concentrated, youthful, and soulful, this Sangiovese is enchanting now, but it has a long life full of gorgeous evolution ahead.
Italy | Tuscany
Broad-shouldered, with hearty tannin and acidity and a dark, earthy quality to its fruit, it is a lumberjack wine that can cut through anything a Tuscan table can throw its way—wild game and aged cheeses are some of our favorites.
Italy | Tuscany
This new release highlights a parcel shielded from the hottest hours of afternoon sun by tall silver oaks (lecci), yielding a gentler Chianti characterized by dark, sultry fruit, luxurious spice, and velvety tannins.
Italy | Tuscany
August Club Rouge ~ Concentrated, youthful, and soulful, this Sangiovese is enchanting now, but it has a long life full of gorgeous evolution ahead.
More Collections
Four Bottles That Have Blown Me Away Lately
Getting to taste our imports all the time is a little like how I imagine it feels to have season courtside tickets to the Warriors. You are unbelievably privileged to routinely behold world-class talent, and yet, no matter how impressive these NBA stars are, after thirty games, you probably take their level for granted a little bit. After half a season, it might take a transcendent Steph Curry performance to get you out of your seat and remind you how extraordinary this spectacle is…
A Standout Trilogy from the Loire
The soils at Domaine de Reuilly rest on the prized Kimmeridgian limestone, a geological chain that runs through nearby Sancerre as well as Chablis and southern Champagne. This limestone is characterized by its high content of marine fossils dating back 150 million years and is known for producing exceptional wines across several appellations…
New Arrivals from Comtesse de Chérisey
Even though Kermit advertised a bottle of Meursault-Blagny in his very first newsletter and has championed this appellation in the five decades since, for a long time, the hamlet of Blagny, high on the hill above Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, never quite garnered the same attention as the exalted sites along these villages’ lower slopes…
Nothing Taken Out
You have probably heard us applaud many of our vignerons for bottling unfiltered. Kermit even earned a reputation for importing wines that had not been subject to filtration, going so far as to request a special unfiltered bottling for the US from many producers following years of comparative tastings with domaines such as Tempier and Vieux Télégraphe…
Kermit’s Best Bargains
For five decades, Kermit has sought out France and Italy’s highest-quality selections at all price levels, so we can imbibe thoughtfully crafted wines without breaking the bank. Budget-friendly yet reliably delicious…
A Classic, Vibrant Vintage from Famille Savary
Certain wine estates are all about the story: centuries of family production, obscure heirloom grape varieties, perilous vertical vineyards, radical production methods... With Domaine Savary, forget the fluff and romantic backstory. Focus instead on what’s in your glass: delicious, vibrant, classic wines that place this among the most consistent, reliable Chablis to be found…
Arretxea in Irouléguy
Oh, how far Irouléguy, the hidden gem of French Basque country, has come! Once upon a time, not so long ago, a local joke went something like this: “How do you say vinegar in Basque? Irouléguy!” Vines covered hardly any ground, and you could count the growers on a single hand. Enter the Riouspeyrous family…
New Arrivals
Here is a collection of recent arrivals. Every week, we’ll be adding a dozen or more new arrivals, so check back often for your favorite classics or new discoveries!
The Carpe Vinum Collection
An ever-changing offering of wines that are just about to sell out; one last opportunity to seize a range of selections before they disappear from our shelves forever.
50th Anniversary Merchandise
When the esteemed French wine artist Michel Tolmer created beautiful artwork for our 50th anniversary, we knew right away that we had to feature it on a few select items of merch. After spending maybe a little too much time researching the options, we landed on a classy, leather-strap cap, a comfortable t-shirt made from 100% cotton, and a tote made with incredibly sturdy, fair-trade, and organic cotton by a certified B corp that invests in the livelihoods of women and farmers of India, featuring three wine sleeves and two other compartments for all of your other needs!
Recent Wine Club Selections
Our five wine clubs feature our best values from France and Italy as well as complex and cellar-worthy wines.