Nestled among the rolling hills of Tuscany and the vineyards of Montalbano lies a timeless gem, witness to an ancient and noble history: the Artimino Estate. At the heart of this generous land, rich in culture and tradition, stands the majestic Villa Medicea “La Ferdinanda“, also known as the Villa of a Hundred Chimneys, a residence of austere elegance and unparalleled charm, created by the architectural genius of Bernardo Buontalenti at the behest of Granduca Ferdinando I de’ Medici in 1596.
Located on a hill that was considered sacred even in Etruscan times, the villa is a symbol of power and refinement, originally built as a hunting lodge and later transformed into a place of culture, art and leisure for the Medici court.
“I was in Artimino today, and believe me, Your Highness, I found spring there.”
Ferdinando I wrote to his wife Cristina of Lorraine in 1596, revealing the enchantment and serenity inspired by this place. From its construction, the Villa of the Hundred Chimneys — named for the many chimneys crowning the building — stood out for the harmonious balance between the austere grandeur of its walls and the grace of its architectural details.
A precious architectural gem meets the elegance of the past
Discover the history of the Medici Villa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013.
The Etruscans
7th century BC
The Etruscans and wine production
The Medici Family
1596
Ferdinando I de' Medici builds the Villa, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The First Vineyards
1680
Cosimo III plants vineyards in Artimino
The Regulations
1716
Cosimo III's proclamation, the first ‘regulation’ in history
Carolina Maraini
1910
Carolina Maraini and her love for Artimino
The Olmo Family
1980
Giuseppe Olmo acquires the estate and restores it to its former glory
The Estate and its History
The breath of the Earth, the flavour of history
Artimino's wine-making tradition has its roots in the distant past, intertwined with the culture and knowledge of the ancient Etruscans. As early as the 7th century BC, this enigmatic and refined people cultivated vines on these generous hills, recognising the unique value of a territory capable of producing wines of extraordinary complexity.
Artimino’s winemaking vocation reaches back into distant history, intertwining with the culture and knowledge of the ancient Etruscans. As early as the 7th century BCE, this refined and enigmatic people cultivated vines on these generous hills, recognizing the unique value of a territory capable of producing wines of extraordinary complexity. The Etruscans were not only skilled viticulturists but also masters of winemaking. They refined their techniques in large terracotta amphorae and traded their wine along Mediterranean routes, making it a prized and sought-after commodity. Evidence of this ancient bond with wine has emerged from the subsoil of Artimino and surrounding areas: finely decorated goblets and jugs, fossilized grape seeds, and depictions celebrating the ritual of the symposium — a sacred moment of conviviality and culture.
Even today, walking among the vineyard rows stretching toward the horizon, one can feel the breath of history. It is the same land the Etruscans cultivated with respect and wisdom, still producing wines of timeless elegance in an ideal dialogue between past and present.
In 1680, under the grand duchy of Cosimo III de’ Medici, the first vineyards were planted around the villa, marking the beginning of a tradition destined to endure through the centuries.
In 1716Cosimo III issued an edict defining the production area of Carmignano wines — an act considered the first wine regulation in history— testifying to the excellence and longevity of wines described as “fit to travel,” suitable for export.
The Estate and its History
The Olmo Family and the Rebirth of the Estate
In the heart of the 20th century, a new chapter was added to the history of Artimino, intertwining passion, vision and destiny. Giuseppe Olmo, known as Gepin, was not only a cycling champion, capable of carving his name into legend with the 1935 Hour Record, but also a man of extraordinary foresight. After dominating the roads of the world, he turned his gaze to a land that seemed to have been waiting for him forever: the Artimino Estate.
It was not a simple purchase, but an act of love. For Olmo, this land represented identity, memory, and promise. He understood its profound value — one that transcends time and is rooted in culture and nature.
Today, the baton has been passed to the third generation of the family, with Annabella Pascale and Francesco Spotorno Olmo leading the estate along a path that intertwines history and innovation. Their commitment is an ode to beauty, quality and wine as the liquid narrative of a timeless land, where past and future merge in perfect harmony.
“For us, it is a profound honor, as well as a great responsibility, to shape such an ambitious project: a journey born from respect for our roots and aimed at enhancing an extraordinary territory rich in history and culture. It is a daily commitment to quality and beauty, to preserving the landscape and telling — through our wine — a fascinating heritage that deserves to be passed on.”
Annabella Pascale, CEO
In the heart of Tuscany, among ancient walls and golden vineyard rows, the Estate of Artimino continues to tell a story of passion and dedication.
A place where time seems suspended, yet the future is already fermenting, ready to write new chapters of excellence and tradition.
