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Villa Cosmiana
2022
Villa Cosmiana 2022 is an ambitious enological, artistic, and landscape project aimed at restauring the prestigious wine estate of Villa Cosmiana in Tuscany to the glory of its golden age achieved in the middle of the 19th century by its most famous owner, Amerigo Antinori, Duke of Brindisi.
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A piece of
eternal Tuscany
The estate is located on a gentle hill in the charming medieval city of Peccioli, between Pisa and Volterra. The aristocratic villa redesigned in 1850 by the famous Florentine architect Giuseppe Poggi, is surrounded by an English park with italianate gardens of 11 hectares and by 15 vineyards of traditionnal Tuscan and Bordeaux grape varieties with a yearly capacity of 50,000 bottles.
A chapter in
the history of tuscany
Following years of gradual decline since the passing of its last owner resident Princess Maria Antinori-Aldobrandini in 1933, the estate, which has been undergoing a complete restauration since 2019, is now ready to reveal to the world the richness of its artistic treasures, the spendour of its gardens and more than anything, the superior quality of its fine wines.
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Restoring a magic place
to its former Glory
The restoration of the villa and its historic buildings, together with the reconstitution of its art collections has been trusted to the Florentine architect Monica Rossi; the reconstruction of the park and its gardens to the Pisan landscape designer Enzo Pietrini, and last but not least, the creation of new wines continuing the long tradition of the estate’s wine excellence to the famous international enologist Barbara Tamburini.
The Team
Sean Craig, Co-founder
Originally from Wales, Sean hails from a long line of farmers from the Welsh Borders. After a 30-year career in London and Paris, he has now ‘returned to the land’ to pursue his second career in the pursuit of excellence in wine making.
Working closely with Dott.ssa Barbara Tamburini, Sean and Barbara work tirelessly to produce both traditional and innovative internationally inspired wines which centre on the three pillars of Villa Cosmiana: restauration, respect and innovation.
Monica Rossi, Architect
Monica graduated in Architecture at the University of Florence in 1995 and quickly specialised in the interior and exterior restauration and reconstruction of some of Italy’s most prestige and historical buildings. Balancing between avant-gardist Florentine design calls and profound respect for historic Tuscanese tradition, Monica’s achievements amongst many others include the retauration of Palazzo Galassi in the historic centre of Montalcino and Villa Cezary in the historic centre of Castelmuzio.
Enzo Pietrini, Landscape Architect
Enzo graduated in Agronomy at the University of Pisa in 1993 and in Landscape gardening at the University of Turin in 1995. He has contributed to the restauration of many historical and prestigious Tuscan gardens including Palazzo Migliorati in San Miniato and Villa Mastiani-Brunacci in Pratello.
Enzo pays attention to respect the Tuscan landscape and traditions whilst creating a harmonious bridge between history and the future. His work has been presented at national gardening shows including Miflor, Vivere nel Verde and Giardini in Fiera and has had his work published in gardening magazines such as Italus Hortus, Informatore Agrario and Flortecnica.
Barbara Tamburini, Oenologist
Barbara graduated in Oenology at the University of Pisa in 2002 and quickly rose to become one of Italy’s leading oenologists. Her philosophy centres on embracing international scientific expertise in viticulture and wine making and a genuine respect for the spirit and harmony of the various wineland traditions, especially her native Tuscany to achieve excellence. She is regularly quoted by the Italian and internalional press, has appeared on national and international television as a leading judge in wine-production and has won numerous awards her most recent and notable being the Oscar for Best Oenologist, Bibenda 2019.
The Team
Sean Craig, The Wine Maker
Sean is a British entrepreneur in love with Tuscany and its land who, after a career of 30 years in professional education in London and Paris, committed in 2018 to rebuild the vineyards and gardens of the Villa Cosmiana estate. Inspired by the wish to restore the estate to the way it was and to introduce innovation respectfull of Tuscan tradition, he is now a professional wine maker leading Villa Cosmiana’s wine production.
Jean-Louis Scandella, The Collector
Jean-Louis is a Franco-Italian investor and an art collector, passionate about Tuscany and its artistic treasures, who besides his career in Paris and in the City, committed in 2018 to the restauration of Villa Cosmiana’s historic buildings, reconstitution of its art collection and the development of its oenotourism activity.
Barbara Tamburini, The Oenologic Reference
Barbara graduated in Oenology at the University of Pisa and is highly recognised in the world of Italian Oenology for welcoming technologic progress in viticulture and wine making as well as for her scrupulous respect for the spirit and tradition of the various wineland traditions she works in. Her opinions are frequently quoted by the Italian and international press and she currently advises 15 wine estates whose wines are regularly awarded prizes at reknowned international wine shows. Barbara was awarded the Oscar from the Italian Sommelier Association, Bibenda for best Oenologist 2019.
Monica Rossi, The Architect
Monica graduated in Architecture from the University of Florence and specialises in the restauration of prestigious historical Tuscan properties. Constantly alternating between avant-gardist Florentine design calls and the profound respect for pure historic Tuscan tradition, Monica led, among many other projects, the restauration of Palazzo Galassi in the historical centres of Montalcino and villa Cezary, Castelmuzio.
Enzo Pietrini, The Landscape Designer
Enzo graduated in Agronomy at the University of Pisa and in Landscape design at the University of Turin. He specialises in the reconstruction of historical Tuscan gardens and led, among other projects, the reconstruction of the garden at Palazzo Migliorati in San Miniato and Villa Mastiani-Brunacci in Pratello. In his creation, Enzo pays particular attention to Tuscan floral tradition and his works have been presented at the national gardening shows Miflor, Vivere nel Verde and Giardini in Fiera and published by gardening magazines including Italus Hortus, Informatore Agrario and Flortecnica.
Marco, The Gardener