Lucca

How This Ancient City Became Italy’s Latest Gastronomic Powerhouse

With ten Michelin-starred restaurants concentrated in a remarkably compact area, Lucca has quietly transformed itself into one of Italy’s most compelling destinations for discriminating food and wine enthusiasts. Eight of these acclaimed establishments are clustered along just 12 kilometers of the Versilia coast, while two others – Butterfly and Giglio – anchor the culinary scene within and around the historic city itself.

“The dynamism of Lucca‘s wineries has exerted an important influence on the region’s gastronomic scene,” notes Decanter, highlighting how this ancient Etruscan settlement has leveraged its rich history into modern culinary excellence.

A Legacy of Luxury

Lucca’s ascent in the luxury food and wine space isn’t accidental. The city’s wealthy heritage dates back to its medieval prominence in the silk trade, when local families used their fortunes to establish the villa-farm model that still defines the region’s agricultural character today. This entrepreneurial spirit has evolved into a modern commitment to innovation, particularly evident in the wine sector.

The Valgiano Effect

The region’s wine renaissance can be traced to Tenuta di Valgiano’s early 2000s initiative to embrace organic farming and minimal-intervention winemaking. This bold move catalyzed the formation of LuccaBiodinamica in 2016, an alliance that now includes 16 member wineries committed to biodynamic practices. The estate’s signature blend, Tenuta di Valgiano Colline Lucchesi Rosso, exemplifies the region’s successful marriage of traditional Sangiovese with international varieties like Merlot and Syrah.

Investment-Worthy Establishments

For investors and luxury travelers seeking the next big thing in food and wine, here are the top establishments reshaping Lucca’s culinary landscape:

Giglio – A one-Michelin-star establishment helmed by three rising stars of Italian cuisine: Benedetto Rullo, Lorenzo Stefanini, and Stefano Terigi. With a 700-label wine list and innovative takes on Tuscan classics, it represents the new face of Lucca’s high-end dining scene.
Enoteca Vanni – Housed in a 13th-century palace, this wine merchant’s 50,000-bottle inventory represents significant investment potential, particularly in natural and aged wines. The adjacent Dispensa bistro offers an accessible entry point to the collection.
Fattoria Sardi – This biodynamic winery’s recent restaurant launch, led by local celebrity chef Damiano Donati, exemplifies the region’s farm-to-table innovation. The seasonal tasting menu concept and unique dining locations (including the maturation cellar) create an exclusive experience.
Al Tambellini dal 1870 – With over 150 years of history, this establishment offers authentic Lucchese cuisine and premium local wines in a setting that exemplifies the region’s heritage hospitality.
Mecenate – Located in a renovated historic laundry, this establishment’s commitment to local artisanal producers and rare wines (300+ labels) represents the intersection of tradition and luxury that defines modern Lucca.

The Business of Tradition

Lucca’s culinary scene successfully balances innovation with heritage. Traditional dishes like garmugia (spring vegetable soup) and tordelli al ragù (meat-filled pasta) remain menu staples, while new establishments like Santa Goccia showcase the region’s growing influence in the natural wine movement.

Market Outlook

With its combination of historical significance, culinary innovation, and wine excellence, Lucca represents a significant opportunity for investors in the luxury food and wine sector. The concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants, coupled with the growing prominence of its biodynamic wine movement, suggests this Tuscan city is positioned for continued growth in the high-end hospitality market.

For those looking to explore this emerging luxury destination, summer offers optimal conditions, coinciding with the renowned Lucca Summer Festival and Puccini Festival. However, the city’s year-round appeal ensures consistent opportunities for those seeking to experience or invest in this rising star of Italian gastronomy.

Foreign buyers are making waves in the Tuscan real estate scene, ready to splash out an average of over 500,000 euros. Hailing mainly from the United States and Germany, they’re dreaming of homes, and if there’s a garden, even better!

Lucca province is their prime pick, accounting for the lion’s share of requests, with Pisa, Massa-Carrara, and Siena following suit. This captivating real estate portrait comes courtesy of Gate-away. Americans lead the charge, snapping up 29% of the real estate pie, followed by Germany at 14%, and the UK at 7.6%. Even Canada is joining the party, showing a 5.2% increase in interest. While apartments still hold the crown with 23.7% of the demand, villas are gaining ground at 12.7%.

A pool, garden, or some land to call their own isn’t a deal-breaker, but gardens take the gold with a whopping 69% preference rate. In the first four months of 2023, investments are hot in the sub-100,000 euro range, representing 33.9% of total requests. The 100-250,000 euro bracket is next in line at 23.5%, followed by 250-500,000 euros (18.3%), 500,000-1 million euros (14.6%), and over 1 million euros (9.5%). The average property sought? A cool 516,865 euros.