Golden Angels and Winter Tales

Courtesy for our guests

Winter in the Chianti Senese is a season that moves with unhurried grace, like an old gentleman well-versed in the secrets of time. The hills strip themselves of every ornament, revealing their essence: silence, a still sky, and the faint aroma of woodsmoke wafting from a distant window.

At Il Giardino di Cristina, this is the month when the past weaves itself into the present. It’s a time for small joys: spiced cookies, twinkling decorations, and that golden light that brushes the village of Vagliagli at sunset, as if to remind us that, yes, there is still poetry in the world.

Piumino, our Christmas gnome

Memories and Traditions

Our Christmas table, simple yet thoughtful, invites you to rediscover the flavors of old. Every year, at its center, we place an artisanal panettone, surrounded by cookies adorned with shimmering icing - stars, trees, hearts. But the true star is the love poured into the details: a wood-and-caramel-apple-scented candle, delicate paper decorations, and a tablescape perfectly set in a festive theme.

Vagliagli and the Charm of Ancient Tales

December is rich with legends, and Vagliagli has one worth telling. It’s said that centuries ago, a shepherd saw a star brighter than the rest as he walked among the olive trees on a frigid winter night. Following its glow, he discovered a sleeping angel with golden wings shimmering under the moonlight.

The angel, upon waking, blessed the surrounding lands. Ever since, it’s whispered that the wine from these hills carries a unique soul, as though imbued with a touch of that golden light. A story? Perhaps. But here in Chianti, stories are how we make beauty eternal.

Chianti Classico

The Flavors of a Senese Christmas

If Chianti had a scent, it would be a blend of honey, almonds, and spices. December offers the perfect excuse to indulge in traditional sweets:

• Panforte: A medieval treasure made of honey, candied fruit, and spices—a bite of history itself.

• Ricciarelli: Soft almond cookies, their snowy white appearance reminiscent of fresh snowfall, best paired with a glass of Vin Santo.

• Cavallucci: Spiced cookies with walnuts and candied fruit, evoking memories of home and rustic festivities.

And yes, we have them at Il Giardino di Cristina. While we don’t make them ourselves, we choose them with care, ensuring they’re worthy of your sweet escape.

Beyond Panforte: Losing and Finding Yourself

If you’re in the mood for an outing, Siena’s Christmas markets are just a stone’s throw from Vagliagli. Or wander through nearby villages like Castellina in Chianti or Radda, where festive lights transform every corner into a fairytale.

But don’t feel compelled to plan elaborate adventures. Chianti is the kind of place where even the simplest acts - walking among the bare vineyards or sitting quietly to take in the view - can become unforgettable experiences.

The Winter of Chianti

Between a glass of wine and the scent of spices, we are reminded that even the smallest gestures - lighting a candle, savoring a cookie - are fragments of an ancient ritual, a call to the hidden beauty in stillness.

They say the wine from these hills has a soul. Perhaps it’s only a legend, or perhaps, like the shepherd and his angel, it’s simply true for those who choose to believe. And you?

Let yourself be embraced by the winter of Chianti, where every step is a poem and every moment a memory waiting to be eternal. We’ll be here to welcome you.

Autumn Legends in Chianti: A Journey Through Myths and Mysteries

As autumn arrives, the Giardino di Cristina transforms with new colors, from the warm golden hues of falling leaves to the vineyards nearby that are painted in shades of red and orange. This is a magical season in Chianti, where not only the landscape changes, but ancient stories and legends echo across the hills and medieval villages. Here are a few tales that capture the mystery and tradition of our land, perfect for immersing yourself in an enchanted autumn atmosphere.

The Witches and Woods of Chianti

In Tuscany, witches are often linked to specific places and transitional seasons. It’s said that in the woods near Vagliagli, witches once gathered on autumn nights to perform ancient rituals. Farmers spoke of strange lights dancing between the trees and whispers carried by the wind. While many today see these as simple tales, wandering through Chianti on a crisp autumn evening can make one feel that something mysterious is at work. They say that on nights of the full moon, the veil between our world and the spirit world grows thin, and invisible presences can be felt in the forest.

Ancient Spirits Among the Vines and the Wind

During the grape harvest, when the setting sun casts a glow over the rows of vines, benevolent spirits known as the “Vine Guardians” are said to appear. These mysterious figures have watched over the land and its grapes for centuries. Locals tell of seeing shadowy figures at dusk, moving lightly through the vines, as if to protect the harvest and ensure each bunch is treated with respect and gratitude.

Tradition holds that, in ancient times, farmers would leave small offerings among the vines - a bit of new wine, a piece of bread, or a few grapes - to honor these Guardians and receive their protection. Even today, as you walk through the gardens of our bed and breakfast, you may sense this magic: a whisper in the wind, a scent in the air, a moment where time stands still, as if those ancient spirits are still with us.

Chianti Classico's view, just behind our B&B

The Myth of Autumn and the Lady of October

Another legend drifts through the Chianti hills, that of the “October Lady.” It is said that every year, as autumn arrives, a mysterious female figure appears in the forest, adorned in leaves and withered flowers, with a crown of intertwined vines in her hair. The Lady of October embodies the spirit of autumn itself, passing through villages and countryside, transforming the leaves with her touch, and filling the air with a sweet, spicy fragrance.

The elders say that those who meet the Lady of October may make a silent wish, but only with a pure heart and a respect for nature. It’s a magical moment, a rare and fleeting encounter, but one that leaves a feeling of peace and a deep connection to the earth. Walking through the vineyards and woods in our area, it’s not uncommon to feel as if you’re part of this legend: the falling leaves, the whispering wind, and the golden rays of the sun create an atmosphere that makes it easy to believe in this ancient story.

The Secret of the Enchanted Oak

Not far from the Giardino di Cristina, near the cemetery in Vagliagli, stands a majestic oak tree that quietly watches over the landscape. Known for its appearance in the movie Letters to Juliet, this tree has taken on an aura of legend. Unlike the surrounding trees, it does not turn red in the fall but stays green - a symbol of eternity and deep roots. The people of Chianti say that those who sit beneath its branches can hear ancient whispers, as if its roots hold the secrets of lovers and lives long past. Even today, it’s said that at sunset, the trunk of the oak emits a peculiar light, as if to share the stories buried in the heart of this land.

Fairs of New Oil and Fresh Wine

Autumn in Chianti is not just a season of legends but also of celebrations. During this time, villages host fairs and festivals to celebrate the new oil and fresh wine, drawing visitors from all over to sample the first oil of the season and the newly produced Chianti Classico. These events are also the perfect opportunity to meet local winemakers and olive growers, who have cared for the land and passed down traditions for generations. Attending these festivals is not only a chance to taste the season’s flavors but also to immerse oneself in the history and culture of our land.

Staying at the Giardino di Cristina in autumn means experiencing Chianti in a unique way, surrounded by nostalgia and the stories of the past. Walking among the vineyards, you might hear the wind’s whisper through the leaves and imagine the witches or the Lady of October. We invite you to visit this part of Tuscany, sip a glass of wine, and let yourself be carried away by the legends and myths of this enchanted land.. Here, autumn is a season of stories, colors, and emotions, and the Giardino di Cristina awaits to let you experience the magic of Chianti in all its splendor.

Our Coffee Corner

We welcome our guests with a delightful charcuterie board featuring a selection of local products

Secrets of Siena: The Duomo's Dazzling Floor Unveiled

Imagine a hidden corner of paradise nestled among the hills of the Chianti Senese, a place where time moves with the slowness and grace of an ancient tale. Just fifteen minutes from the historic city of Siena, our Bed & Breakfast welcomes you in an embrace of tranquility and beauty. In this haven of serenity, we invite you to discover one of the most captivating treasures of our land: the magnificent marble inlay floor of the Siena Cathedral.

From June 27 to July 31 and from August 18 to October 16, 2024, the Siena Cathedral unveils its most precious secret, a masterpiece born from the tireless work of artists over the centuries. Each inlay, every single fragment of marble, tells a story of faith and wisdom, a symbolic journey in search of the highest values of the human spirit.

As you stroll through the aisles, you'll encounter the masters of the past: Sassetta, Domenico di Bartolo, Matteo di Giovanni, Domenico Beccafumi, and the renowned Pinturicchio with his depiction of the Monte della Sapienza, an allegory of virtue as the attainment of inner serenity. As Professor Giovanni Minnucci notes, "The overall view of the fifty-six inlays of the floor can offer a moment of personal and silent reflection," an invitation to momentarily forget our hectic lives and seek the deeper meaning each of us wishes to give to our own life.

The floor of the Siena Cathedral is not just a work of art; it is a marble book to be read with both your feet and your heart. Its figures, from ancient sibyls to esteemed philosophers, speak to us across the centuries, inviting us to a silent dialogue with the great thinkers of the past.

Not far from this unique experience, in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, our Bed & Breakfast offers an ideal retreat. Here you can relax and reflect on the wonders you have just seen. And as the day draws to a close, with a glass of Chianti wine in hand, you can contemplate the hills stretching towards Siena, knowing that your spirit has been enriched by an encounter with eternal beauty.

For those wishing to explore further, the OpaSiPass itinerary allows not only for admiring the Cathedral's floor but also for visiting the Opera Museum, with its mosaics and original inlays by Antonio Federighi. In the Cartoni Room, the floor plan drawn by Giovanni Paciarelli in 1884 provides an overview of the complex iconography.

The unveiling has been promoted by the Opera della Metropolitana and is organized by Opera Laboratori, which also offers guided tours in multiple languages to lead visitors in discovering this extraordinary masterpiece. The catalogue, available in Italian and English, is published by Sillabe.

For information and reservations:

www.operalaboratori.it

booking@operalaboratori.com

+39 0577 286300