DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI, Montalcino

Donatella Cinelli Colombini owns two wineries in Tuscany. Casato Prime Donne in Montalcino belonged to Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s ancestors at the end of the 16th century and during the last one hundred years it has been passed down from mother to daughter, from the present owner it will pass to her daughter Violante. Here women have, consequently, great importance; in fact this is the first winery in Italy with an all female staff. The consultant wine maker is also a lady, Valérie Lavigne, from the Bordeaux University. Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s other estate, Fattoria del Colle, in southern Chianti, has a villa and 16th century chapel in a small hamlet transformed into a country inn to welcome guests, 3 swimming pools, a restaurant, a wellness centre and a cookery school. Here too there are vineyards and a historic cellar beneath the villa.