Fattoria Mansi Bernardini and Tenuta Di Valgiano

26 May 2018

Fattoria Bernardini Mansi is a fine example of the many ancient noble villas that lie in the colline Lucchese, hills that are located just to the north and north-east of Lucca, such as Segromigno in Monte and Valgiano. Bernardini Mansi lies on the Via Valgiano and is today an estate that comprises several large and smaller villas surrounded by beautiful olive groves and gardens with stunning views over the plains of Lucca towards Pescia and Montecarlo.

Today, Fattoria Bernardini Mansi, still in private ownership, offers B&B holiday accommodation in the hamlet called “Il Borghetto”, that comprises the main Villa Bernardini, Casa Maria, Il Leccio and Villa Bonvisi, that underlines its historic noble connections. Other smaller accommodation comprises the old farmer cottages and haylofts, Casa Bruschini, Casa Rosina, Casa Yole and Il Fienilino that have been tastefully converted and offer several outdoor areas including swimming pools.

As stated, the Fattoria was a working farm and was part of the 16th century agricultural development that planted olive trees, mulberry trees and fruit trees. Today, it is noted for its high-quality olive oil, as are many producers in and around Lucca, and for which Lucca is justly famous throughout Italy and beyond.

According to the Bernardini website,

‘Fattoria Mansi Bernardini produces a top-quality extra virgin olive oil in Lucca. The olives are picked by hand and then taken to the mill within 48 hours to ensure the best quality olive oil. Our olive oil is a blend of 3 local varieties, Frantoio 60%, Leccino 30% and Maulino 10%’.

There are some vineyards that produce a limited amount of red wine on a terroir composed of terraces of a mixture of limestone and sandstone soil, that the Fattoria shares with Tenuta di Valgiano, another 16th century estate nearby.

According to the famous London wine merchants Berry Bros & Rudd in St James, the sixteen plus hectares of vineyards of Valgiano in the Colline Lucchese DOC area produce some important red wines such as and Palistorti Rosso, Palistorti Bianco and the premium red Tenuta Di Valgiano Rosso. The grapes used are: 60% Sangiovese, 20% Syrah and 20% Merlot for the Tenuta Di Valigiano, 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and 10% Syrah for Palistorti Rosso and 50% Vermentino with a 50% mix of Trebbiano and Malvasia for the Palistorti Bianco.

Since the 1990s, the owner Moreno Petrini, together with Laura di Collobiano and viticulturalist Saverio Petrilli, have used methods of organic and biodynamic viticulture on the plants whilst remaining traditional in the cellar using a mix of stainless-steel and French oak barrels before the wine is bottled.