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It's easy to say restoration. To get your hands on a piece of antique furniture, or simply old, and restore it to its original beauty, it takes a special sensitivity, an ability to 'feel' the wood.

If there is one person who knows the ‘life, death and miracles’ of wood, this is Emilio Nesi, restorer of San Casciano in Val di Pesa - Chianti Fiorentino - who has made his bones as a carpenter.

A long apprenticeship begun at the age of 16 at Renato Calamandrei’s, a local craftsman, enabled him to master all the tricks of the trade.

Emilio is one of those artist-craftsmen of ancient traditions that are still to be found in Chianti.

His specialty is 18th century furniture: Tuscan, Italian and French. Emilio also works on older objects privately commissioned.

He was entrusted with the restoration of the wooden parts of the seventeenth-century Villa Poggio Torselli and Castle Spaltenna to Gaiole.

He is a very outgoing man who loves to have visitors to his workshop and showroom in the country, as well as challenge himself in new works!

If you drive through San Casciano you can not miss a visit during which Emilio will unveil some of his secrets while sipping a glass of good Chianti!

Emilio also organizes on request:

- Truffle hunt with lunch

- Practical restoration workshop