Characters and places

10 August 2026
in Characters and places, Forum: News and lifestyle
by Donatella Cinelli Colombini
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SANDRA MISALE PRIMA DONNA 2026

SANDRA MISALE RANKS AMONG THE WORLD’S LEADING CANCER RESEARCHERS. JOURNALISTS FRANCESCA CIANCIO AND ANDREA CUOMO, ALONG WITH 9 YOUNG TALENTS, WERE ALSO HONORED ALONGSIDE HER

 

Francesca Ciancio vincitrice del premio giornalistico Casato Prime Donne 2026

Francesca Ciancio winner of the Casato Prime Donne Award 2026 journalistic section

In Montalcino, on Saturday, September 19, the Casato Prime Donne Award honours Sandra Misale—a 41-year-old woman born in Calabria who now heads a laboratory bearing her name at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. If patients suffering from pancreatic or colon cancer, melanoma, or leukaemia can today hope for a more effective and less invasive treatment, they owe it in part to her.

 

The jury of the Casato Prime Donne Award—chaired by Donatella Cinelli Colombini and comprising Rosy Bindi, Anselma Dell’Olio, Anna Pesenti, Stefania Rossini, Anna Scafuri, and Daniela Viglione—selected Francesca Ciancio and Andrea Cuomo as the winners in the journalism categories for promoting Montalcino and its wines. Other awards went to nine young talents in the fields of music, art, jewellery making, and pastry arts.

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30 July 2026
in Characters and places, Farm experiences
by Donatella Cinelli Colombini
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WHAT TOURISTS DON’T EXPECT AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE (2)

FEW COUNTRY ESTATES BOAST A HISTORY AS ANCIENT, NOBLE, AND ENTERTAINING AS FATTORIA DEL COLLE – AND TOURISTS GET TO LIVE RIGHT IN THE MIDST OF IT.

 

Toscana agriturismo Fattoria del Colle Camera del Granduca

Toscana agriturismo Fattoria del Colle Grand Duke’s chamber

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

 

Let us continue sharing the little secrets of Fattoria del Colle that surprise and delight tourists—the details that make a stay there unique, distinctive, and memorable.

The villa’s historic rooms and its chapel house true art masterpieces. The owner, Donatella Cinelli Colombini, is an art historian by background and spent years specializing in medieval goldsmithing. She owns just one piece created by 15th-century Sienese goldsmiths: a copper processional cross. The other artworks are casually interspersed with everyday objects throughout the historic rooms of the villa, where she still resides. Donatella has always lived surrounded by masterpieces; she has no desire to put them on display, preferring simply to enjoy their presence around her. Nevertheless, she is well aware of the risks posed by frequent tourist visits and the threat of theft, which is why Fattoria del Colle is protected by security cameras and alarm systems.

The Hall of Coats of Arms, the billiard room, and the fireplace room retain some of their original furnishings and house many curiosities—such as the list of chickens, brooms, and eggs that each farmstead was required to supply, the alarm bell cord hidden inside the clock, and antique white porcelain from Richard (the company that later became Richard Ginori).

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6 July 2026
in Characters and places, Forum: News and lifestyle
by Donatella Cinelli Colombini
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DONATELLA AS A CHILD

I WAS A LONER, A TERRIBLE STUDENT, AND AN AVID READER. I WITNESSED THE TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE TRANSFORM FROM A STATE OF ABANDONMENT TO A RENAISSANCE DRIVEN BY WINE AND TOURISM

 

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino

Donatella e la madre Francesca Colombini

Donatella and her mother Francesca Colombini

Many refer to the twentieth century as the “Short  Century”—a term coined by British historian Eric Hobsbawm—due to the rapid pace of change; yet, in the early 1960s, it felt as though one were living in a nineteenth-century bubble. It was a world precariously balanced between the lingering past, the economic boom that was emptying the countryside, and social rituals that seemed destined to last forever—only to be swept away by the events of 1968.

As a young girl, I used to spend summers in Montalcino playing with the children of the neighbouring farmers, who would run around barefoot. In winter, back in Florence, boys and girls attended separate classes at the Ponte a Mensola elementary school; we girls wore white smocks with pink bows at our collars. Traffic and crime were low, and we children would walk home alone.

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17 March 2026
in Characters and places, Not only wine...
by Donatella Cinelli Colombini
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FEDERICO FELLINI AND DONATELLA

MY MEETINGS WITH FEDERICO FELLINI AND THE CHARM OF AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN WHO LOOKED ORDINARY WHO TRANSFORMED ORDINARY THINGS IN EXTRAORDINARY WAYS

 

Federico Fellini with
his wife and the Guidotti and Cinelli Colombini families

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Casato Prime Donne Montalcino, Fattoria del Colle Trequanda

 

I’m talking about events that occurred about fifty years ago. Federico Fellini often came to my mother’s winery in Montalcino, thanks to our mutual friendship with Mario Guidotti, a journalist and cultural promoter. After the first, more formal visits, Italy’s greatest director began arriving unannounced, like a member of the family.

The problem was that, often, my parents were away, and I had to welcome Fellini alone. I was very young and lived a very bourgeois and decidedly provincial existence between Montalcino and Siena. I was used to meeting intellectuals and famous people because my family had always had that kind of association, but Federico Fellini was decidedly in another league.

That man was a legend, a world-renowned genius with five Academy Awards. His fame was so immense that it would have intimidated people far more skilled than me. I was incredibly nervous in front of him, my hands were sweating, I couldn’t sit still, and above all, I could only say a few polite words, but I didn’t know how to communicate with him; I felt like I had nothing interesting to say. What a shame!

Federico Fellini and his wife Giulietta Masina would come to Tuscany for the beneficial “waters” in Chianciano. From there, they travelled to Montalcino to break the monotony of the treatments and perhaps even indulge a bit. They were often accompanied by Mario Guidotti or the then-very young Fabio Carlesi.

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23 December 2025
in Characters and places, Not only wine...
by Donatella Cinelli Colombini
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ANTONIETTA MAZZEO AND DONATELLA’S EVO OIL

THE SUPERIOR EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL TASTER TAKES A LOOK AT THE 2025 FATTORIA DEL COLLE OIL, PRESSED IN THE FRANTOIO DI MONTALCINO MILL

Antonietta Mazzeo Olio evo di Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Antonietta Mazzeo – Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s EVO oil

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, winedestination, Fattoria del Colle in Trequanda, Casato Prime Donne in Montalcino

I’ve known Antonietta Mazzeo for over ten years and have always admired her expertise and thoroughness. These qualities sometimes complicate her life, because like all very sincere people, she also says unpleasant things. The flip side is that everyone can trust her words

In this spirit, I had her taste my 2025 oil, just arrived from the Frantoio di Montalcino mill. Antonietta Mazzeo was in Trequanda to moderate the conferences and lead the tasting panel at the “Festa dell’Olio Novo,” which takes place every year in mid-October. My request stemmed from the desire to evaluate which mill was ideal for our olives, given that we were using three this year. Antonietta told me, “It’s good, very good,” and I decided to return her favour by saying, “Take the bottle home to dress your vegetables.” She smiled happily, “Thank you, I’m really pleased.”

I didn’t expect her to call me a few days later and say, “I did the organoleptic analysis of your oil, can I publish it?” I accepted, and now I’m sharing it with you.

FATTORIA DEL COLLE EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL BY DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI

2025 Olive Oil Campaign

Tasting:  October 20, 2025

Unfiltered Sample

Cultivar: Blend of Moraiolo, Leccino, Frantoio

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12 January 2023
in Characters and places, Farm experiences, Forum: News and lifestyle
by Donatella Cinelli Colombini
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THE BEDROOM THAT BELONGED TO THE GRAND DUKE

THE HISTORY OF THE ROOM CREATED AT  FATTORIA DEL COLLE, FOR THE ROMANTIC  ENCOUNTERS OF THE GRAND DUKE OF TUSCANY PIETRO LEOPOLDO WITH HIS LOVER ISABELLA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SLEEP IN IT?

 

Agriturismo in Tuscany Fattoria del Colle Grand Duke’s bedroom

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Peter Leopold Joseph Anton Joachim Pius Gotthard von Habsburg-Lothringen was born in Vienna in 1847 and became Grand Duke of Tuscany at the age of eighteen in 1865. He left my region in 1890 to become Emperor of Austria and died in Vienna two years later. Her sister Marie Antoinette was the Queen of France guillotined during the revolution and another sister, Maria Carolina, reigned in Naples.

 

PIETRO LEOPOLDO GREAT SOVEREIGN AND GREAT WOMANIZER

His wife Maria Luisa of Bourbon was the daughter of the King of Spain and bore him 16 children, creating a family that, in the eyes of the Austrians, was too boisterous and disorderly.

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7 July 2022
in Characters and places
by Donatella Cinelli Colombini
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See, Feel, Taste Val d’Orcia

“See, feel and taste the Val d’Orcia” beautiful book by Anastasia Kellermann, American-Dutch debut writer with a Tuscan heart

 

Anastasia-Kellermann-shows-the-cover-of-her-book-See-Feel-Taste-Val-d'Orcia

Anastasia-Kellermann-shows-the-cover-of-her-book-See-Feel-Taste-Val-d’Orcia

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Presented at the Pieve di Vitaleta between Pienza and San Quirico d’Orcia, the book by Anastasia Kellermann takes us into her “Tuscan dream” made of flavours and people, fairy-tale places and breath-taking sunsets in what seems to be a land blessed by God for its mysterious harmony between excellence and simplicity, nature and art, lifestyle and work.

 

VAL D’ORCIA SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF A DUTCH AMERICAN WITH A TUSCAN HEART

The following is the preface I wrote for the book “See Feel Taste Val d’Orcia” and reflects the importance and novelty of this beautiful book of exciting photos and texts.

 

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9 February 2022
in Characters and places, Forum: News and lifestyle
by Donatella Cinelli Colombini
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Wedding among the Tuscan vineyards

The informal elegance of the Tuscan countryside for those who dream of a unique wedding enlivened by great wines. At the Fattoria del Colle: history, nature and joy

 

 

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Getting married in Tuscany, among the Chianti and Orcia DOC organic vineyards, in the “most beautiful wine in the world”. In front of the wonderful landscape of the Crete Senesi and Valdorcia. It looks like a movie, but instead it’s reality.

In a 16th century farm that has remained intact over time, with historic gardens, monumental halls, winery and restaurant. Almost a small rural hamlet where the old farmhouses have been transformed into rooms and apartments for tourists (106 beds) and are furnished with authentic antiques that transmit warmth and intimacy.

 

WEDDING AMONG THE VINEYARDS FOR THOSE WHO LOVE NATURE, HISTORY AND FINE WINES

Weddings-in-Tuscany-great-wines-like-photo-set-for-the-newlyweds-at-Fattoria-del-Colle

Weddings-in-Tuscany-great-wines-like-photo-set-for-the-newlyweds-at-Fattoria-del-Colle

The wedding at Fattoria del Colle is for those who love nature and fine wines. For those who want  a romantic and Tuscan-style wedding party. For those who want  something elegant and informal at the same time,  where everyone is comfortable.

For those who love the taste of typical cuisine but also refined things and then want to dance, go wild or let themselves be lulled by the magic of summer nights in the countryside ….
In the summer of 2022 some midweek dates are still available while the 2023 calendar is almost entirely empty. Obviously the weddings organized from Monday to Thursday have the advantage of a lower cost (10% or more off both the party and overnight stays). Not a bad choice, Donatella Cinelli Colombini got married on Thursday too!

 

CIVIL, SYMBOLIC OR RELIGIOUS BUT NOT CATHOLIC WEDDINGS

At the Fattoria del Colle civil ceremonies, non-Catholic religious rites and symbolic ceremonies are possible.

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