Our History
My mother’s youth, spent horseback riding across the Tuscan hills at the beginning of the 20th century, was not a rural life. On the contrary, her group of friends came of age amidst a vibrant social scene with society balls and community events, all set against a backdrop of beautiful villas and extraordinary music. This was the Tuscany in the early to mid 1900s – where on any given night my grandparent’s dinner guests might be English, French, German, American and even Japanese.
It is in tribute and in keeping with this magical moment in time that we open our gates to our American and international friends. So that together we might recreate that enchanted atmosphere of an elegant, intellectual and international Italy – verging on exclusive but just shy of pretentious – which above all loved its land and its traditions. A love we wish to share with all of you.
The Villa was named after me, “Bonizella,” a medieval name unique to this area. My mother, Bona Grilli, inherited the property – which, like my name, has its roots in the Middle Ages – from her father Giacinto Grilli, owner of the nearby castle Castelnuovo Grilli which bears his name.
Our Family
Since moving to the United States in 1996, our family has enjoyed the opportunities and richness of a life lived between two continents, countries, languages and cultures. Though we are Italians and profoundly rooted in Tuscan culture, life and traditions, we have also lived, worked and studied in the United States for over 25 years. Because of this, we are especially attuned to what Americans or other international guests expect and demand from their dream vacation in Italy. We are the right people to help you live out those dreams.
Together with my husband Giovanni, my son Nicolo’ and daughter Luisa Majnoni d’Intignano, we are excited to welcome you to our home.