For centuries after the fall of Rome the hills between Florence and Siena were subjected to continuing invasions and hostilities. By the 10th century the Ricasoli family who had descended from German invaders owned virtually the entire Chianti.

Il Mulinaccio had its beginnings as a watchtower to warn the nearby castles of hostile movements in the valley. The dome shaped Giotto bedroom was built over a mound of dirt around that time as the base of the tower which was subsequently demolished.

The 10th to 16th centuries saw continued hostilities as Florence battled with Siena and the Pope warred with the Emperor. Finally a long period of peace began under the Medici and the Chianti prospered as a rich agricultural area.

Il Mulinaccio was part of the estate of the nearby Castello di Meleto, one of the Ricasoli castles. It was converted to a mill utilising water from the stream and served the needs of local farmers. Later it was rebuilt as a farm house but evidence of its days as a mill remain. The Ricasoli crest is still fixed into the main front facade.

In the 1960's when the Chianti, along with much of agricultural Italy, was in serious decline the Ricasoli sold Castello di Meleto and subsequently a lot of the surrounding land and buildings were sold off.

Given Chianti prices today it is hard to believe that Il Mulinaccio was sold in 1973 for 3,000 Euro, admittedly in an unrestored state and with no water or electricity.

The major restoration, conversion of the barn, swimming pool and landscaping were carried out around 2000.

This is a description of Il Mulinaccio in a sales brochure from the time the Meleto estate was being broken up:

'Big solid farmhouse in perfect condition for a residence situated right beside the Florence-Siena national highway. The building, powerful and square in shape, has an extremely orderly ground plan easy to work on for the purposes of the transformation of the residence. At present Mulinaccio has no electricity laid on and is also without running water. The house is for sale with 5,000 sq m of land to which a further wooded area may be added on request.'