Schedule
Friday, May 31, 2024
Benvenuta! Pick up in Florence
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
On Friday, May 31st between 2-3pm, there will be a shuttle located at the main train station in Florence (Florence Santa Maria Novella) which will take guests directly to the castle. The bus will leave promptly at 3:00pm. It’s about a 1-hour ride to the castle. Because the castle is located perched on top of a steep hill, the bus will park at the base of the hill and smaller shuttles will transport guests to the castle.
Guest arrivi & check-in
4:00 pm
Check-in begins at 4:00pm at the castle reception. Località Ristonchi Borgo, Pelago, FL, 50060, Italy We will be providing transportation from Florence to Castello di Ristonchi. If you would like to arrive on your own please do not arrive earlier then 4pm. More information about transportation in the FAQs!
Pizza welcome party
7:00 pm
Located on the terrace. Pizza is our love language and a staple in both the D'Amico and Bringewatt households. Frank is a master on the Ooni and Pat's handmade dough puts most to shame. What better way to kick off the weekend then with a make your own pizza style event. Buon appetito! Top your pizza with fresh ingredients from the castle garden and cook it yourselves. The 1,000+ year old stone oven was structurally built right into the castle tower! Roll out fresh dough, sip local wine, and watch the sunset from the terrace. The goal is to relax and have some fun getting to know one another before the big day. There will be beer and wine for dinner as well as an open bar from 7-830pm. There is additional alcohol for purchase at the bar and will be billed separately to your room.
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Buongiorno breakfast
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Located in the breakfast room right off of the castle reception. Join us for a continental breakfast on the terrace. Indulge in Fresh Bread with Local Jams and Honey, Cheese Boards, Yogurt, Muesli. Includes Coffee, Juice and Still Water. Guess what? All the honey and olive oil we consume all weekend comes from bees raised right on site at the castello and olives harvested from the olive groves. Still hungry? No problem! Additional food, alcohol, or specialty coffees are available to purchase from the castello kitchen and will be billed separately to your room.
Ristonchi foraging hike
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Meet on the terrace. Ristonchi Castle is an agriturismo, a combination of the Italian words agricoltura and turismo. It means that in addition to hosting guests and gorgeous events, they are also a farm and offer the freshest food. If you'd like, follow our guide to tour and forage Ristonchi's grounds. This includes an impressive 2,000 olive trees, 15,000 industrial hemp plants, 100 beehives, a large fruit and vegetable garden and ancient forest full of chestnut, walnut, acorn, cherry, fig, apple, pear and plum trees - plus numerous wild berries and herbs the castle uses to flavor food and make their own gin, tea and fruity beer. Get ready to sample staples like their house made olive oil and hemp beer along the way!
Pools & paninis
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Located on the terrace by the pool. Order up fresh paninis from the Panini Truck for lunch! There will be a mobile bar open for purchasing beverages. Take a dip in the pool. It's filled with fresh mountain spring water.
The ceremony
5:30 pm
Located in the chapel. Join us for the ceremony. Pick a seat - not a side.
Aperitivo
6:00 pm
Located on the dinner lawn. Before dinner, join everyone post-ceremony for aperitivo. Indulge on a selection of fresh spreads and sip on prosecco and aperol. There will be an open bar from 6-730pm.
Sunset wedding dinner
7:30 pm
Located on the dinner lawn. Mangiamo, let’s eat! Sit down for a three-course family style Italian feast prepared fresh by the Castello Chef using locally sourced seasonal ingredients. Eat, relax, and be prepared to laugh together while we enjoy the Tuscan sun setting over the hills. Best yet, the castello's co-owners have implemented a robust food waste program so rest assured knowing that your scraps (if those even exist!) will be put to work. Through donation to the creation of biochar, compost, and food for the chickens and ducks, scraps are circular at Ristonchi. White and red vino will be served at dinner from neighboring vineyards (one has even been around for over 550 years!).
Let's rave in a cave
10:00 pm
After dinner, join us in the Castello's DUNGEON TURNED DISCO aka "The Rave Cave". Enjoy a four-hour open bar extravaganza while we all celebrate together into the night (or morning)! There will be a live euro-DJ, disco ball, and midnight fuel (i.e. truffle fries).
Sunday, June 2, 2024
Sunday brunch
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Located in the breakfast room right off of the castle reception. As Carrie Bradshaw says, "there are very few things this New Yorker loves more than Sunday brunch". Join us on the terrace for a hot bunch with a delicious spread of food. Includes Coffee, Tea, Juice and Still Water. Need a little Hair of the Dog? Additional food, alcohol, or specialty coffees are available to purchase from the Castello kitchen and will be billed separately to your room.
Pasta making (family & friends at different times)
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Located on the terrace. 12-1pm for family and 1-2pm for friends. We'd love nothing more than for everyone to come together to learn how to make fresh pasta from the Castello's Master Chef. Pasta and a variety buffet will be served for lunch. Wine will be served.
Wine tasting (family & friends at different times)
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Located on the terrace. 330-430 for family and 430-530 for friends. We are excited to offer a vino tasting. A sommelier specializing in Italian wines will bring an assortment of local wine and guide you through a full range of wines and experiences. Ristonchi's region of Chianti produces a wonderful, diverse selection of world-class and award-winning wines.
Dinner BBQ by the pool
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Join us poolside for a good 'ole fashion BBQ. We will munch down on some locally sourced burgers & Italian sausages. Beer will be served and there will be a mobile bar open for purchasing additional beverages.
Gelato & chill
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Located on the pool terrace. Remember when we said pizza is our love language? Well then, gelato is our acts of service because... IT SERVES. While we are BBQing by the pool, gelato will be served from a local vendor for 3 hours. And yes, it's unlimited - dreams do come true.
Monday, June 3, 2024
Buongiorno breakfast
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Located in the breakfast room right off of the castle reception. Join us for a final continental breakfast on the terrace.
Check out & transporation to Florence
11:00 am
All guests must check out by 11:00 AM. On Monday, June 3rd, at 11:00am, there will be a shuttle leaving the castle and dropping guests off at both the Florence airport and the Florence Santa Maria Novella train station. CIAO! We love you!