The birth of da Pode
- by Alessia and Barbara Failli
The history of Da Pode restaurant begins way back in 1962 when our great-grandfather Gianni Testi whose nickname was Brinchio (a well-loved character from San Gimignano and a cattle trader) bought a six-hectare farm called "Podere della curva dell’Esse" with a rustic farmhouse overlooking a valley on the way into San Gimignano. Like the small local producers we work with today, here Brinchio and his family reared livestock including the famous white Tuscan Chianina cows, grew grapes for Chianti wine and wheat, tilling the fields in the old way by an ox-drawn cart. With this move, our great-grandfather started it all. Either he had good luck or great instincts.
Meanwhile at the same time Sergio, Brinchio’s young grandson, impassioned by the idea of a future career in hospitality, attended hotel management school and began his training in the field by working as a waiter in restaurants both in Italy and abroad. After Brinchio’s farmhouse was restructured between 1965 and 1966, it drew many admirers not only because it (and the idyllic farm) were conceived entirely according to Tuscan traditions, but because it stood in an excellent hilltop position. On one side was the main road linking San Gimignano and Poggibonsi and, on the other, a few meters from Via Vecchia, the scenic route that follows the undulating profile of the hills into the ancient medieval town, famous for its stone towers, considered - then and now - one of the most beautiful in Italy.
Brinchio received repeated offers to sell his “podere”, but he always refused, choosing to keep the property to pass onto his grandson - in whom he saw great things - so that one day Sergio could open his own restaurant.
And that's exactly what happened.
Nice view, nice wine list, nice food, nice service = nice evening! That’s the way how to manage professional restaurants! We will come again.
Tripadvisor User
Da Pode restaurant
Until the early 1980s, Sovestro was managed as a sharecrop by the talented Fantaccini family. Later, our father Sergio together with our grandfather Alfredo (called Pode for short) and our mother Lucia, began renovating the farmhouse also making external changes and improvements, with the same hard work and sacrifice with which Brinchio had built his farm. Finally, in July 1985 the works ended and a new adventure began: the Failli family opened Da Pode.
The restaurant has remained faithful to its rural heritage maintaining the appearance of typical country farmhouse. The simple farm tools of the Tuscan peasant culture of yesteryear which hang on the walls and the traditional rustic Tuscan dishes , on our menu are proud reminders of our roots.
Today, the Failli family tradition continues through us.
Alessia and Barbara
It was excellent, a shop owner recommended Pode, my wife and I couldn’t be happier. Best meal of the trip.
Tripadvisor User
Sergio at three years old, who happily roamed Gianni’s farm communing with all the animals until he was ten.
The simple rural outhouse which evolved into the hotel and swimming pool.
