Q: Catering

Dining at Ristonchi is more than “wedding food” – it’s a celebration of Italian cuisine and culture. As a working agriturismo, much of what’s served is grown or sourced from the surrounding land. Think wild herbs from the forest, vegetables from the garden, honey from on-site hives, and olive oil pressed from the groves below. The in-house kitchen team delivers food that feels generous, grounded, and distinctly Tuscan. Meals are seasonal, social, and designed to suit your celebration style. You might host a welcome pizza night, where guests shape their own dough and sip wine as it cooks in the castle’s ancient oven. Or a long-table wedding dinner: al fresco under festoon lights or candlelit in the vaulted brick Banquet Hall, which seats up to 70 guests. There are plenty of flexible dining spaces to choose from: The Borghetto Courtyard is ideal for long outdoor dinners and catches the late afternoon sun, especially lovely during the shoulder seasons. The Fattoria Courtyard is a natural choice for a relaxed BBQ or next-day brunch. The Templar Hall (60 sqm) serves as a beautiful fallback for indoor dining when the weather isn’t on your side. Couples can also build in tastings or interactive elements, like olive oil or wine pairings, or invite guests to join a pasta-making class as part of the weekend experience. Drinks are as flexible and fun as the food; Chianti wines, spritz stations, Negronis on tap, or cocktails infused with herbs from the estate. There’s also an impressive list of non-alcoholic options for younger guests or those skipping the booze. Menus are customisable and the team is well-versed in accommodating dietary preferences and allergies, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and more. This is food made to be shared, remembered, and returned to again and again.

Question 1

About Castello di Ristonchi

Accepted Answer

Castello di Ristonchi’s charm lies in its authenticity and the visionary energy of its owners, Stefanie and Rasmus. Originally from the U.S. and Denmark, they left city lives behind to build a space where people from around the world could come together to celebrate the good things in life. Since 2017, the pair have hosted more than 150 weddings, each one uniquely shaped by the couples who arrive here.
The estate includes over 40 hectares of chestnut forests, olive groves, hemp fields, beehives, and fruit orchards. You can drink spring water fresh from the tap, enjoy honey harvested on-site, or beer and gin brewed from wild herbs gathered in the surrounding woods. 
At Ristonchi, sustainability is embedded in the way the estate is run. From organic farming practices to the use of local ingredients and low-impact living, the commitment to nature and self-sufficiency shapes the guest experience at every turn.
Ristonchi is equal parts raw and refined. Exposed stone walls, antique farm tables, candlelit courtyards, and forest paths that feel enchanted in the morning or evening low light.
The castle is open seasonally from mid-March to mid-November, with peak weather for outdoor celebrations from late April through October.

Question 2

Weddings

Accepted Answer

Ceremonies
Castello di Ristonchi can host up to 150 guests for wedding ceremonies and receptions, with up to 100 staying onsite.
Ceremonies at Castello di Ristonchi embrace the natural rhythm and raw beauty of the estate. Whether you&#8217;re drawn to a traditional church wedding, symbolic, or entirely bespoke, each space brings its own atmosphere and story to your vows. The in-house planning team is on hand throughout to guide you gently and expertly from early ideas through to your ceremony and beyond.
Ceremony settings include:


 	The Wedding Field: Under a handmade arch, surrounded by olive trees with the castle as your backdrop.
 	Chapel of Sant’Egidio: Restored stone chapel with a timber ceiling and stained-glass window, ideal for simple, soulful ceremonies.
 	Sunset Grass Field: Perfect for golden hour vows beneath festoon lights, enveloped by views and wildflowers.
 	Terrace: Intimate and elevated with jasmine-draped stonework and sweeping valley views, ideal for smaller gatherings.

The beautifully restored on-site chapel is also ideal for traditional or non-religious church weddings. Civil ceremonies are possible in both indoor and outdoor settings, including the chapel and the historic Templar Hall. Couples planning a legal marriage should work with a wedding planner to ensure all administrative requirements are met.
For guest lists of up to 80, wet weather contingency plans are seamless. Ceremonies can be moved into the chapel (90 sqm), receptions into the Templar Hall (60 sqm), and the &#8220;Rave Cave&#8221; &#8211; perfect for dancing late into the night. For larger groups, a marquee is recommended.

Receptions & Celebrations
It&#8217;s probably best to describe what a reception at your Ristonchi wedding could look like. After the ceremony, guests drift onto the terrace for aperitivi and reflection as the high sun begins its descent down toward the hills. There’s spritz in hand, music in the air, and a gentle buzz of conversation under the summer sky.
The light starts to fade and guests are encouraged to take their seats for dinner, perhaps you&#8217;ll choose the vaulted brick Banquet Hall, candlelit and convivial, or opt for the Borghetto Courtyard where long tables are laid under the open sky and the scent of wood-fired cooking drifts in from the nearby kitchen.
The party doesn’t end with dessert. You and your guests descend into the Rave Cave, a once-dungeon now reborn as a disco with lasers, a mirror ball, DJ booth and bar, for a night of dancing. Prefer something softer? Some stay in the night air with grappa or herbal tea, chatting under the stars and festoon lighting, while others retreat to the lounge bar for something slower. Ristonchi invites you to shape the weekend as you wish, host a poolside BBQ the next day, roll fresh pasta with your guests, or simply sit back and watch your people come together, again and again, in celebration.

Question 3

Accommodation

Accepted Answer

There’s something special about waking up in a castle village with your loved ones all around you. Ristonchi accommodates up to 80 guests across 24 rustic apartments that offer a balance of comfort and charm. They&#8217;re grouped into four distinct areas, each with its own vibe; whether you&#8217;re staying up late or turning in early.


 	The Tower (Castello): 10 apartments in the heart of the action, close to the bar, banquet hall, and Rave Cave &#8211; ideal for night owls and celebrators. Sleeps up to 35.
 	Villa Borghetto: 7 tucked-away apartments perfect for early nights and quiet mornings. Sleeps up to 20.
 	Villa Fattoria: 5 apartments near the pool and chapel, including the romantic Bridal Suite. Sleeps up to 25.
 	La Cappella: A separate villa connected to the chapel, sleeping 15. Available for larger parties at an additional fee €2,500 (2 nights) or €3,500 (3 nights).

Each apartment has its own bathroom and is designed for relaxed communal living, ideal for flexible group arrangements. While the bones of the building are historic, the spaces are playful and full of character: think wine barrel bed frames, antique mirrors, and forest views.
This isn’t modern resort luxury, but it is full of soul. Expect terracotta floors, exposed beams, and fascinating features to remind you you’re in a 1,000-year-old castle. It’s rustic, inviting, and wonderfully real; a place where unforgettable moments unfold naturally over morning coffee or midnight chats under the stars. The layout assumes shared use of double beds, single beds in lofts, and convertible sofas where appropriate.

Question 4

Catering

Accepted Answer

Dining at Ristonchi is more than &#8220;wedding food&#8221; &#8211; it’s a celebration of Italian cuisine and culture. As a working agriturismo, much of what’s served is grown or sourced from the surrounding land. Think wild herbs from the forest, vegetables from the garden, honey from on-site hives, and olive oil pressed from the groves below. The in-house kitchen team delivers food that feels generous, grounded, and distinctly Tuscan.
Meals are seasonal, social, and designed to suit your celebration style. You might host a welcome pizza night, where guests shape their own dough and sip wine as it cooks in the castle’s ancient oven. Or a long-table wedding dinner: al fresco under festoon lights or candlelit in the vaulted brick Banquet Hall, which seats up to 70 guests.
There are plenty of flexible dining spaces to choose from:


 	The Borghetto Courtyard is ideal for long outdoor dinners and catches the late afternoon sun, especially lovely during the shoulder seasons.
 	The Fattoria Courtyard is a natural choice for a relaxed BBQ or next-day brunch.
 	The Templar Hall (60 sqm) serves as a beautiful fallback for indoor dining when the weather isn’t on your side.

Couples can also build in tastings or interactive elements, like olive oil or wine pairings, or invite guests to join a pasta-making class as part of the weekend experience. Drinks are as flexible and fun as the food; Chianti wines, spritz stations, Negronis on tap, or cocktails infused with herbs from the estate. There’s also an impressive list of non-alcoholic options for younger guests or those skipping the booze.
Menus are customisable and the team is well-versed in accommodating dietary preferences and allergies, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and more. This is food made to be shared, remembered, and returned to again and again.

Question 5

Activities

Accepted Answer

On Site
A wedding weekend here can be as full or relaxed as you wish. Many couples choose to stretch their celebration across three days with casual gatherings, shared meals, and time in nature.


 	Pizza-making workshops in the castle tower oven
 	Fresh pasta classes with sauces from the garden
 	Wine tastings led by regional sommeliers
 	Guided foraging walks with tea, honey, and oil tastings
 	Poolside aperitifs, BBQs, and brunches
 	Yoga and meditation in the gardens or terraces
 	Nature playground and treehouse for children
 	More than 20km of walking and cycling trails through the estate forest

Nearby
Ristonchi is secluded but not remote. Within 45–60 minutes, you can access world-class cultural and culinary experiences:


 	Chianti wine tours at Travignoli Winery
 	Historic Vallombrosa Abbey and its monastic herbal shop
 	Horseback riding through Tuscan woodlands at Le Roverelle
 	Florence city visits via Pontassieve train station (25 minutes)
 	Luxury outlet shopping at The Mall Firenze

Question 6

Location

Accepted Answer

Proximity: Castello di Ristonchi is located in the hills above Pelago, in Tuscany’s Valdisieve region, approximately 45 minutes east of Florence.
Nearest Airports:


 	Florence (Peretola): 55 min / 50 km
 	Pisa: 1 hr 40 min / 116 km
 	Bologna: 1 hr 40 min / 130 km

Transfers: Private shuttle transfers can be arranged; nearest train connection at Pontassieve (25 minutes).
Parking: On-site parking is available for guests and vendors.
Disabled Access: The estate includes many steps and narrow spaces due to its historic structure. Some ground floor apartments may be suitable, but wheelchair access is limited &#8211; advance discussion is advised.
Child-Friendly: Yes; includes a dedicated nature playground and family-oriented apartments.
Pet-Friendly: Yes; well-behaved pets welcome with prior arrangement.
Additional Services: In-house wedding planner, catering and bar team, DJ setup, sound system, bridal and groom suites, housekeeping, linens, Wi-Fi, vendor recommendations, and activity coordination.
Opening Season: Open seasonally from mid-March to mid-November, with peak weather for outdoor events from late April through October.

Castello di Ristonchi

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