Four guests will certainly get a taste of the sweet life during their week-long stay at Le Miccine, a small Tuscan wine estate owned by U of C alumnus Clifford Weaver (AB '66, JD '69) and his wife Donna. Le Miccine is located near the geographic center of Tuscany's Chianti Classico wine region, half-way between Florence and Siena, near the historic towns of Gaiole and Radda. The winning bidders will stay in the estate's guest apartment. The guest apartment features two large bedrooms (both with queen-size beds), two baths, a spacious, tastefully furnished, living room with fireplace, and a large modern kitchen with all appliances, including a dishwasher, as well as ample supplies of china and cookware. A few steps up the hill from the house is a large, deep swimming pool and sun terrace adjacent to the beautiful old 18th century cantina where Le Miccine's wines are made. The unique design and location of the pool give the spectacular illusion of water cascading over the hillside into the horizon, where beautiful sunsets provide the perfect setting for a pre-dinner glass of wine.
Le Miccine provides the perfect base for touring all of Tuscany. Florence, Siena, Gaiole, Radda, Castellina and Greve are within easy reach, as are San Gimignano (the medieval walled town famous for its many fortified towers and its starring role in Tea with Mussolini), the wine villages of Montalcino (Brunello) and Montepulciano (Vino Nobile), and virtually all of the major Chianti, Brunello, and Vino Nobile wine estates. Pisa, Lucca, Cortona, Volterra, Orvieto and the Cinque Terre are all pleasant day trips from Le Miccine.
Guests at Le Miccine will find their trip to the heart of the Renaissance both enhanced and simplified by Le Miccine's friendly English-speaking staff, by the estate's extensive collection of guidebooks and other information about the region, and by the owners' recommendations for sights and restaurants not often included in guidebooks.
The winning bidders may, subject to prior rental, choose any week (Saturday to Saturday) from July 2 through August 30 for their visit to Le Miccine. Either the Weavers (during July) or a member of their staff will provide a private tour of the estate followed by a conducted tasting of all of Le Miccine's wines. Kirkland & Ellis LLP will provide a package that includes air fare to Italy and four (4) nights lodging in Rome for four (4) people.
Our thanks go out to Clifford and Donna Weaver and our Platinum Level Sponsor Kirkland & Ellis LLP for their generosity. You can find out more about Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Le Miccine by clicking on their logo under the "Auction Platinum Sponsors" section.
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