This stunning private 10 acre estate offers two fully independent houses and a saltwater pool with gardens, terraces, olive groves, fruit trees and a park for children. The views throughout are breathtaking and frame two Renaissance castles/wine estates.
You arrive at a gated, cypress lined drive along which sits the Guesthouse and ends at the 11th century Watchtower in front of the Main House.
The main house is tastefully furnished with 17th century Italian walnut furniture and original oil paintings from the owner's family estate. The house offers three terraces for indoor/outdoor living. You will enjoy reading or conversing in the sunlit living room and drinks or dinner in the adjacent dining room with its 17 century bar. Inevitably, most guests congregate n the spacious farmhouse kitchen with its open fireplace, oak dining table for 12 and well appointed cooking area. From the kitchen, dinners--whether home cooked or prepared by a chef--spill out onto the back terrace where a stone dining table seats 12 under a giant oak that shades the setting sun. A stone grill is a delight for those who want to sample the famous local butchers fare, sourced from their own farms.
From the spacious foyer, stairs lead to the upstairs living room which is a smaller private space for reading, yoga, deskwork (with printer) or watching movies. It is also the center of the second floor with doors opening onto the private bedroom wing, the 11th century tower suite and the stone path leading to the pool. In the bedroom wing, the four double bedrooms are arranged into two private areas--each area with two nearby bedrooms and a shared large bathrooms. The artisanal tower bathroom is a poetic spot to shower off after a dip in the pool and is easily accessible to three of the bedrooms. All bedrooms have separate AC/heating units and screens and 2 Bose speakers can be connected by bluetooth or wifi for music.
The Guesthouse was born from a "Fienile" for drying wild fennel and is an architectural gem with soaring views from the 15' thermal window. It offers both privacy as well as vicinity to the main house and pool. The first floor offers a living room, dining room, working fireplace, Bose speaker, smart TV and kitchen. Upstairs is the master bedroom with en suite bathroom and walk in closet.
Stone paths lead to the saltwater pool enclosed by jasmine, roses, santolina, bay leaves and lavender. A pergola and umbrellas offer shade. The pool has a quick close cover and locking gate for safety.
From the time of your booking until your departure, your stay will be supported by your concierge, Federica, who will help you to organize your trip and can set up in house cooking classes/chef, catering for dinner parties, extra cleaning services and private tours etc. As a convenient add-on service, she can stock the kitchen with an agreed shopping list so that you arrive with all on hand.
Children will enjoy the "Prato"--a long lawn perfect for croquet, bocce, badmitton or other ball games. Fruit trees line the edges of the Prato with figs, grapes as well as fresh lemons on the drive above. Outdoor games, board games, books and yoga mats are available to guests.
The lively market town of Greve is only 3 miles south and Florence about 15 miles north, with convenient parking at Porta Romana for excursions to Florence. The area offers wonderful biking and hiking with e-bikes available in Greve to manage the hills. Tours of wine estates abound with the historic Castello di Vicchiomaggio, Castello di Verrazzano and Villa Calcinaia within a mile or so. Hilltowns a short drive away include Montefioralle, Panzano, Siena, Radda, Castellina in Chianti. Also recommended for tours and lunch are two medieval Abbys--la Badia di Passignano and Badia di Coltibuono,
The houses were both renovated with the addition of the pool, AC units, new beds and landscaped gardens from 2022 to 2024. Where ever possible, the owners used local artisans for the ironwork, linens and carpentry.