Chianti estate in a magical setting just south of Florence

Overview: This stunning, private estate is nestled on a natural terrace comprising a tastefully appointed main house that unfolds behind the original 11th century watchtower, an exquisite independent guesthouse only steps away, a new saltwater pool and extensive gardens. The lit pool is situated under the olive grove with roses cascading over the stone wall and a shaded veranda. The property sits below the historic Castello di Vicchiomaggio and is surrounded by its famed vineyards. From the time of your booking, you will be assisted by Federica, the house manager, who can help you with itineraries, in house extra services including private chef, cooking lessons, masseur and reservations. She is also easily reached for questions or troubleshooting.

You arrive to the main house at a gated drive, lined with cypress trees. On the right is the guesthouse with soaring spaces and a 15" arched window with breathtaking views. Both houses have indoor/outdoor living with shaded terraces. Stone paths lead to the swimming pool area.

Main house:. On the first floor, you can enjoy the living room and library, a dining room and bar area. The furnishings throughout the first floor are of 17c to 18c Italian walnut, with Italian oil paintings in handcrafted burnished gold frames throughout.

The kitchen is the focal point with its large, working hearth, dining table that seats 12, original Italian walnut 17th century cupboard and modern work area. Behind the kitchen is a fully stocked pantry with every convenience and a full bath/laundry room. The kitchen opens to the lit dining terrace with stone grill and a large travertine stone table that seats 12. The views are breathtaking and peaceful with the evening light.

Stairs lead to the second floor smaller living room, with a small sofabed, desk and smart TV, balcony, internal door to the watchtower bedroom suite and external door leading to the pool. This is a lovely quiet place to read, do yoga or work at the computer. From the upstairs living room, you enter the main "night area" with four lovely bedrooms--three with queen sized beds and one with the option of two singles or a queen. Custom linen duvets cover the beds. Here there are two large and well appointed bathrooms and a few steps away is the special tower bathroom, just off the upstairs living room, convenient also for the other bedrooms. This new bathroom was recently installed using the ancient "Tadelakt" paint technique with a stone sink basin and walk in shower with either overhead rain or handheld shower and stunning view. A spiral staircase leads to the quiet bedroom at the top of the watchtower with a sleighbed and desk and glorious views of the Greve valley and Castle of Verrazzano.. All of the upper living areas have new AC/Heating units and the lower level stays cool due to the thick stone walls and thermal glass.

Guest house: The fully independent guesthouse was renovated first in the 1990s from a historic farm building for hanging and drying wild fennel, and then again in 2024 with the installation of a thermal window. Stone steps lead to the shaded terrace with table and reading chairs. The first floor includes a dining area, living room with sofa bed and fireplace, fully equipped kitchen and pantry. The air-conditioned bedroom is located on the upper floor with en suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The windows frame the cypresses, Castle and olive grove. Its an architectural jewel.

Pool: The 33' x 13' saltwater pool sits under the olive grove, has an automatic cover and is lit at night. There is a veranda for shade, as well as sun umbrellas, chaise longues and armchairs. Roses tumble over the lit stone wall and the veranda, covered with roses and jasmine, sits in front of a stone, aromatic herb garden. From the pool, you can enjoy views of the castles of Vicchiomaggio and Verrazzano, particularly evocative when lit at night.

The property is quite private, comprising 9 acres that includes the gardens, olive grove and surrounding oak forest. It sits amongst the vineyards of Castello di Vicchiomaggio, a noted producer of Chianti and across the valley from Castello di Verrazzano, another major wine estate. It is conveniently located to the charming town of Greve, with its lively piazza, Saturday market, world famous butchers and wine shops, and every convenience (restaurants, salons, pharmacy, bike and moped rentals). Also nearby are the hilltop towns of Panzano -with its Sunday market- Impruneta -world-famous for its terracotta- Volpaia, San Gimignano, Castellina, Radda and the beautiful Abbey of Passignano. Siena, with her art treasures and celebrated "Palio" horse race, is a short drive away.

Florence is an easy 30" drive with easily accessible parking along the ancient historic wall of Florence Porta Romana on the less crowded "Oltr'Arno". From there you can walk to all the sites of this extraordinary city. .