I Tattoli Bini Smaghi

Located just 15 miles on the Via Volterrana southwest of Florence in the rolling hills of Chianti Classico, the I Tattoli estate has been passed down through generations of the Bini Smaghi family since 1428. The family’s deep Tuscan roots date back even further—family members once held key positions in the Florentine Signoria and one notable ancestor, Bernardo Bini, served as treasurer to Popes Julius II and Leo X, managing payments to legendary artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli.

Agriculture has long been at the heart of life for the Bini Smaghi family, where the I Tattoli estate's vineyards, olive trees, and walnut groves stretch across 50 hectares. Graced by constant breeze, and an elevation between 180 and 220 meters with southwest exposure, the estate is a microclimate unto itself—perfect for cultivating healthy, top-quality olives for their renowned Chianti Classico D.O.P extra virgin olive oil.

Today, Cristina Bini Smaghi leads olive oil production with vision and tenacity. A Milan native with a background in literature and art history, Cristina had a career in design, married Simone Bini Smaghi, and had five sons before discovering her new focus in life: extra virgin olive oil. She moved to I Tattoli full-time in 2016 with an ambitious dream to adopt a sustainable, innovative agronomic approach that enhanced tradition through research. With no formal training in agriculture, she immersed herself in study—attending intensive tasting courses, engaging with renowned experts in the field, and falling ever deeper in love with the art of olive cultivation. Her passion and finesse have earned I Tattoli international recognition, including awards at top competitions and placement on Michelin-starred restaurant menus.

The estate’s 2,500 olive trees—primarily Frantoio, Moraiolo, Leccino, and Correggiolo among many other native Tuscan varieties—are meticulously cared for with organic practices. Olives are harvested at the perfect point of ripeness in late October and milled within three hours in a state-of-the-art frantoio to preserve freshness and complexity. Every harvest is produced under strict Chianti Classico D.O.P. regulations and undergoes rigorous chemical and sensory testing.

Cristina is a force of nature and involved in every stage of production, from working the land to supervising the mill, to tasting samples and overseeing bottling and packaging. She dedicates her work to her late father-in-law Bino, who instilled in her a love for the land and its people.

The oil’s label, designed by renowned photographer Oliviero Toscani (of “United Colors of Benetton” fame) pays homage to the family’s legacy and evokes the essence of Italy—art, history, and the enduring beauty of the Tuscan landscape. For Cristina and her family, this land is not just a resource, but a heritage to be preserved with care, respect, and responsibility for generations to come.