Church of San Cresci

The Italian term “pieve” translates to “parish church” in English. The pievi of Chianti bear a resemblance to the numerous Norman churches spread across England. These churches were constructed in significant numbers during Tuscany’s population boom at the end of the Dark Ages (approximately from the year 950 onward) and can be found scattered throughout the region, many now in ruins.

Pieve di San Cresci – The Parish Church

Today, I’d like to focus on the Pieve di San Cresci, which is believed to be one of the oldest pievi in the Chianti area. It is possible that the nearby Pieve di San Pietro a Sillano is older, as it is referenced in documents dating back to the year 884, stored in the nearby Abbey of Passignano. The Pieve di San Cresci appears in a document from 963 found in the same library. During restoration work, a stone carved in Longobard style was discovered embedded in the wall of the nave, indicating that the Pieve di San Cresci may have been constructed on the grounds of a Longobard villa, possibly incorporating parts of the original structure.

The Pieve di San Cresci

The Pieve di San Cresci is situated across the Becherale torrent from the fortified village of Montefioralle, approximately 2 km from Greve in Chianti, nestled in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine region. While Montefioralle is home to the historic church of S. Stefano, rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Pieve di San Cresci is considered the original parish church of Montefioralle. It is definitely worth visiting and can be easily accessed by car or on foot from Greve via the road that passes by Villa Zano.

The interior of the church has been completely restored in a Baroque style, although part of the façade retains elements from the original Romanesque structure. The visually captivating lower section features two mullioned windows and is adorned with a dichromatic motif within the archivolts.

Pieve di San Cresci – The Winery

In Tuscany, especially in Chianti, it is common to see secular buildings constructed alongside churches (as well as former military structures such as watchtowers). The same is true for the Pieve of San Cresci. The residence of the Ballini family, winemakers for at least six generations, is attached to the Pieve di San Cresci, and their winery, once known as Podere San Cresci but now named after the church, occupies cellars that were originally part of the church.

Pieve di San Cresci Wines

Dear discerning readers, the red wines from the Pieve di San Cresci Winery are exceptional, even in a region renowned for its wine production. If you find yourself in the Greve in Chianti area, I highly encourage you to call the Pieve di San Cresci Winery to schedule a wine tasting and possibly a tour of the cellars. You won’t be disappointed! They produce a variety of red wines, including the esteemed Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, and Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (the new top-level designation for Chianti wines), as well as excellent Indicazione Geografica Tipica wines, which are recognized for their original grape composition rather than being inferior products.

Contact Information and Directions for Pieve di San Cresci Winery

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