Much Ado about Chianti: businessman Emad Khashoggi on life in Italy

How a Shakespearean film and Knight Frank Italy led one couple to their dream Tuscan estate

Cathy Hawker

05 August 2026

1 min read

Much Ado about Chianti: businessman Emad Khashoggi on life in Italy

It was the sun-soaked 1993 film of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, actors Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson sparkling with wit against the green hills of Tuscany, that drew real estate developer and businessman Emad Khashoggi to his home in the region.

“My wife and I had always had a love for Italy, for the people, the food, the relaxed atmosphere and the scenic beauty, all the things that everyone loves about the country,” he says. “The film was shot not far from where we are now, and the scenery was so special that I thought, why don’t we go and look at that region properly.”

The result was an 18-month odyssey around Tuscany, viewing properties with Bill Thomson, Head of Knight Frank’s Italian team. “We must have seen at least 30 properties, but I had a firm idea of what I wanted,” says Emad. “I wanted somewhere quiet that was also very close to the city so that my children or guests will always want to visit. There’s so much to do in Florence, the restaurants, museums and shops, but if we were two hours away or far from the airport, they might not come as often. Bill showed me beautiful properties overlooking Florence, many with wonderful views on the Duomo, but I wanted total peace. That’s why we kept on looking until we found the right one. “

The ‘right one’ was one of Tuscany’s most exquisite and historic wine estates, Tenuta Maryamado, owned continuously since Renaissance times by the illustrious Guicciardini family and set in the rolling hills of Chianti, 30 minutes south of Florence. Emad bought the estate in 2019, making it his main residence, and has worked continuously since to renovate the buildings and landscape.

“We’re passionate about trying as much as possible to keep the look and feel from Renaissance times” he says. “We’ve just completed a large lake which will be used mainly for irrigation but also adds to the landscape beauty, and have added aromatic gardens including an iris garden, the symbol of Florence. We’re planning to open to the public for wine tasting, picnics and day visits.”

Khashoggi credits Bill Thomson’s patience and perseverance throughout his lengthy property search. “I probably drove him crazy but he never showed it and really understood what I wanted. He gets enjoyment from finding the ideal property and afterwards, calls and visits often to make sure we’re happy.”

As founder and CEO of French-based developers COGEMEAD, Khashoggi’s work on exceptional super-prime properties in France and Switzerland includes Chateau Louis XIV close to Versailles. Renovating in Italy presented some unique challenges. “It takes time to get planning decisions and initially that can be frustrating. But then you look at the hills and realise they haven’t changed in hundreds of years,” he says. “That’s the beauty of Tuscany and I’m thankful for it.”