After a ten-season journey of growth alongside Daniele Canella, Francesco Ferrettini is taking over the leadership of the brand’s three restaurants in Chianti Classico: La Colonna, Osteria Il Tuscanico and the Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant Il Visibìlio. Ferrettini states: «I take on this responsibility with gratitude, committed to continuing and enhancing this work».
Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena, Tuscany), December 2025 – The three restaurants of the Fontanelle Estate brand, La Colonna at Hotel Le Fontanelle 5*, the Michelin-starred fine dining Il Visibìlio and Osteria Il Tuscanico within the five star luxury property The Club House, open a new chapter under the guidance of Francesco Ferrettini. Born in 1986 and a talented chef who has grown within the Estate, Ferrettini has been an integral part of the kitchen brigade for ten seasons alongside Daniele Canella, who has chosen to embark on new professional challenges. This transition marks a generational shift that highlights internal talent and ensures continuity in the gastronomic identity, while preserving the legacy built over the years.
With chef Francesco Ferrettini taking on the helm of the three restaurants, Fontanelle Estate takes a natural step forward in its evolution, relying on a professional who deeply understands the philosophy of the Estate and embodies its spirit through a solid, contemporary approach that remains respectful of local roots, opening the door to new opportunities for growth. At the same time, an important chapter concludes with the end of Daniele Canella’s long professional journey, which brought significant achievements: leading La Colonna from 2011 to 2021 and subsequently guiding Osteria Il Tuscanico and Il Visibìlio from 2022 to 2025, standing out for great professionalism and dedication. His work reached its peak with the Michelin star in 2023 and the Passion Dessert Award in 2024.
This decision comes from the desire to take on new challenges in the culinary world», says Daniele Canella. «After many years together and the results we achieved, I feel the need to start a new chapter, both personally and professionally». Alongside Francesco Ferrettini at Il Visibìlio, Federico Bernini will continue in his role as executive sous chef: a creative and highly skilled professional in whom the ownership places full trust to guarantee stability and continuity in the new gastronomic direction. The pastry chef will be Vincenzo Genuardi, who has been with the company for two years; for him, the 2026 season will mark his third collaboration with The Club House hotel.
The collaboration with Chef Daniele Canella, which began in 2014, grew stronger over the years, even when we later took on different responsibilities with The Club House project. Among the most important results is the fine dining Il Visibìlio, developed also with Chef Giuseppe Iannotti, which has become a creative laboratory dedicated to quality and gastronomic research. The future of Il Visibìlio will follow the same direction, with a blind-tasting menu that highlights excellent ingredients and local products. I would like to sincerely thank Daniele Canella for the journey we shared and for his trust in handing over this role. I welcome this opportunity with enthusiasm and with the aim of carrying forward and elevating the work already started» says the new Chef Francesco Ferrettini.
We extend our best wishes to both chefs, so they may continue successfully in their professional paths and goals. The years spent working with chef Daniele Canella have been rich in growth and will not be forgotten» states the Bolfo family, owners of the entire estate.
BIO – FRANCESCO FERRETTINI
Francesco Ferrettini, born in Tuscany in 1986, joined Ristorante La Colonna in 2014 as chef de partie and has built a solid internal career, eventually becoming head chef. His training includes significant experiences in Marina di Pietrasanta in Versilia and at Belmond Castello di Casole, which contributed to shaping his mature and territory-driven culinary approach.
