Dining

Osterio di Passignano 🍷

Posted by markhadland on
A rustic metal sign hanging outside a building, featuring the words 'Osteria di Passignano' cut out in decorative letters, set against a stone wall.
A group of ten people posing together outside a stone building covered in ivy, with a vineyard and hilly landscape in the background, under a cloudy sky.

Fresh near the finish of another YPO Supercar trip, we were faced with a dilemma at the end of the journey. The last event was cart racing at some track in the middle of Tuscany. Usually, this would not be of grave concern; however, a few of us had keys to a fleet of Lamborghinis. It seemed a terrible waste of horsepower not to use these amazing Italian machines to their fullest capabilities.

Two high-performance Lamborghini sports cars, one in bright green and the other in white, parked next to a stone wall in a picturesque setting.

We pulled up in six of these amazing Italian machines. The cacophony was so loud that the staff came outside to see what was causing the disturbance at this quaint monastery. We asked if they had room for 12 for lunch, and they replied, ‘For the drivers of these cars, yes!’

Exterior view of a restaurant door featuring the name 'Osteria di Passignano' and 'La Bottega di Badia', along with various awards and Michelin stars displayed on the window.

Osteria di Passignano is part of the Antinori family. Located in the heart of Chianti Classico, the Abbey of Passignano is a medieval monastery founded in 395 AD by the Archbishop of Florence. Today, the Abbey is a working monastery of the Vallombrosan Order whose monks safeguard its cultural and historical heritage and valuable artifacts.

A weathered metal sign reading 'La Bottega di Badia' hanging from a bracket against a cloudy sky.

Badia a Passignano is an Antinori winery, a jewel in the heart of the Chianti countryside and the center of the Chianti wine region. It’s predominantly sangviose grapes and is an excellent wine. They had a lovely wine shop, and I picked up a case or two of some rarely exported wines to enjoy later, as well as some fine hand-blown glassware in which to savor the juice.

https://www.antinori.it/en/experience/the-wine-shop-at-badia-a-passignano/

https://www.antinori.it/en/tenuta/estates-antinori/badia-a-passignano-estate/

A kitchen scene showing two chefs at work inside a restaurant, with a decorative sign above that reads 'la Cucina'.
The little window into the kitchen.
Close-up of a brown leather-bound book held in a person's hand, with a blurred background.
This was one of the heaviest wine menus I have ever held. It was well-worn and loved with age.
Cozy dining area with a round table dressed in a textured white tablecloth, two chairs, and a small vase with flowers. The walls are adorned with framed botanical illustrations and a window allowing natural light to enter.
Elegant dining room.
A young man seated at a table in a restaurant with yellow walls adorned with botanical illustrations. A lamp illuminates the scene, and glasses are placed on the table.
Carter is a bit exhausted after another white knuckle drive.
A plate of gnocchi served with sautéed mushrooms and a green sauce, garnished with herbs.
Gnocci.
A close-up view of a unique dish featuring two artichoke flowers on a white plate, garnished with dark powder and a drizzle of sauce.
Fried artichoke hearts.
A gourmet dish featuring a piece of meat garnished with a heart-shaped leaf and sprinkled with grated cheese on a white plate, accompanied by a drizzle of sauce.
Pork.
A close-up of a dish featuring round, hollow pasta shells filled with a rich sauce, garnished with green chives and a small, pink garnish, served on a bed of red sauce.
I don’t know, but it was good!
A close-up of a gourmet meat dish featuring two different cuts of steak and a golden-brown potato side on a black plate.
Savory, delicious meats.
Two men posing for a selfie in a Lamborghini, smiles on their faces, with a scenic background of greenery and a building.
Departing in style.

Another beautiful, artful meal in Italy, I highly recommend a visit here to enjoy their culinary talents and fine wines. My children are happy and fortunate that I remain single 😂.

One Comment Add yours

  1. Kathleen Hodson says:
    March 31, 2026 at 12:35 pm

    I bet the drive was tremendous fun! Food looks so good, especially the gnocchi and artichokes….all of it.

    Reply

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