Greve in Chianti

Greve in Chianti is a quaint little town in the Chianti Classico region that quickly seduces you with its quiet charm.  Situated about 25 kilometers south of Florence, Greve in Chianti is a surprise that suddenly appears after a winding drive on Highway 222 - the “Chiantigiana” through lush, rolling Tuscan countryside, dotted with glimpses of vineyards, cypress-ridged hills, and stream-filled valleys.  Old stone retaining walls line - the “Chiantigiana” as it winds into the town center, the Piazza de Matteotti.  From its narrow entrance that is heralded by a church, the piazza widens, cone-like, and, in typical Italian tradition, is graced at its widest end by a statue, this one of Giovanni da Verrazzano, the Italian navigator-explorer who was born in Greve and was the first European to enter New York Bay in 1524.

Lining the piazza’s perimeter is a variety of shops, restaurants and cafés offering genuine products of the region.  One can taste superb Chianti Classico in an enoteca; buy exquisite, handmade lace-embroidered linens; woven baskets and kitchen utensils fashioned from olive wood; and cheeses, meats, and wines  of the Chianti region at the well-known Falorni Butcher Shop adorned with prosciutto hams dangling from its ceiling.  The piazza hosts an open air market selling local wares every Saturday,  and during mid September it is the site of the Rassegna del Chianti Classico, the largest celebration of local wines in Tuscany.   Greve in Chianti offers its visitors a chance to experience Tuscany on a more intimate basis.  Stand in the piazza and watch the Tuscan sun set with an iridescence of color unique to this area and Greve will lock itself into your heart. 

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