Fancy yourself as Italian nobility? Then this regal 16th-century villa on the leafy outskirts of Florence makes for the perfect setting to play out your aristocratic dreams.
The classically styled Villa Antinori di Monte Aguglioni oozes grandeur, with a fascinating history to boot.
It originally belonged to the powerful family of Florentine fabric merchant Francesco del Giocondo, who is best known as the husband of Lisa Gherardini aka Mona Lisa.
It is speculated that she could have sat for Leonardo da Vinci in one of the many splendid rooms of the vast complex.
Serving as a unique opportunity to own a slice of history, the estate has hit the market for just over $19.5 million with the sale being handled by Italy Sotheby’s International Realty.
A Wine Connection
Following its ownership by the Giocondo family, it passed to the Antinori family, earning it its current name.
Along with the Mona Lisa connection, the villa is set to lure oenophiles, as grapes from its sweeping vineyards are used to produce a number of wines under the Villa Antinori brand.
All of the bottles feature a label with an illustration of the villa’s façade.
Niccolò Antinori said that the label’s design, which was born in the early 20th century, represents the ‘concept of home, our territory and Tuscany’ and while ‘the French have châteaux… we have villas!’
In 2023, Villa Antinori wine gained even greater recognition after it was chosen as the official wine supplier for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.
A Vast Entertainment Complex
In terms of the property’s offering, there is plenty of space to entertain with 14 bedrooms and multiple lounge areas.
The rooms run across three floors, and there is a basement where three technical rooms and a cellar can be found.
A classical style in keeping with the property’s history runs throughout, with many original features intact, including ornate cornicing, carved stone fireplaces and polished herringbone flooring.
Along with the main house, there are various outbuildings on the 66 acre estate and the private chapel proves a particular highlight.
On the activity side of things, there is a tennis court and swimming pool to skip between.
The garden, designed by renowned British garden designer Cecil Pinsent, is equally as easy on the eye, with perfectly manicured box hedging and symmetrical arrangements.
To enter the estate, visitors get a taste of what’s to come, with an imposing iron gate opening to a majestic cypress tree-lined driveway.
A Historic Town on the Doorstep
Another lure of the property is its proximity to the historic town of Scandicci, where there’s a hotpotch of ancient sites, quaint restaurants and authentic boutiques to explore.
And beyond the Antinori vineyards, there are dozens of other wineries in the area to seek inspiration.
Many of these boast farms offering fresh produce, from plump olives to sweet peaches.
For the reasons outlined, realtors say parties interested in Villa Antinori di Monte Aguglioni should act quickly.
They deem the property offering as ‘an unrepeatable opportunity to live in a piece of Florence’s history, immersed in the Florentine countryside.’
Visit Villa Antinori di Monte Aguglioni
