Producing more wine than any other country in the world and boasting over 2,000 varieties of grape, Italy is a true wine lovers haven. And, while Italian wines are enjoyed the world over, there is nothing like appreciating a fine Chianti Classico or Super Tuscan in situ, admiring bucolic views of rippling gold and sage-green hills, the horizon scattered with clusters of cypress trees and honey-coloured hilltop towns in the distance. Whether it is the vine-clad slopes of Chianti or the gently rolling plains of the Val d’Orcia, we have hand-picked a wonderful collection of luxury Italian villas located near some of the best wineries to visit in Tuscany. Many also feature their own wineries, where you can witness first-hand the labour of love that goes into producing the prized bottles and select your own wines from the cellar.
Villa Dell' Angelo
A stay at Villa Dell’ Angelo is an immersion into Tuscany at its most iconic. Bountiful olive groves; fragrant woodlands concealing rich truffles; undulating hills punctuated by avenues of cypress trees; and – of course – wine. Villa Dell’ Angelo occupies a prime position in the Val d’Orcia, just a stone’s throw from some of Tuscany’s most revered wine regions including Montalcino and Montepulciano. One does not even require a vehicle to access picture-postcard Montepulciano town, where you can explore the curious cantinas located within the walls of the old city, carved out as wine cellars beneath prestigious palazzi during the Renaissance period. Back at the villa, even less effort is required to sample the Val d’Orcia’s distinctive Sangiovese wines. Villa Dell’ Angelo boasts its own winery, where private tastings can be arranged followed by a delicious lunch or dinner, and views of the timeless Tuscan hills provide an unforgettable backdrop.
La Regina
Combining contemporary luxury with classic Tuscan charm, La Regina transports you right into the beating heart of Chianti with its world-renowned wineries. From Fontodi, Le Cinciole, and Molino de Grace, a wealth of highly-esteemed wineries can be visited from the villa. This experience is further enhanced by the La Regina’s owner, who has developed close relationships with the best local wineries and can arrange private tastings at the villa as well as special vineyard lunches.
Aside from wine, there is plenty to occupy you during your stay at La Regina. You could borrow one of the villa’s e-bikes to further explore the surrounding vine-clad hills or stroll into nearby Panzano for a leisurely lunch. Resume the wine theme on your return to the villa, selecting a fine Chianti Classico from the wine cellar to enjoy in the outdoor hot tub.
Villa Ardore
Wellness and wine come together in magnificent style at Villa Ardore, a converted Tuscan farmhouse surrounded by an endless tapestry of rolling vineyards and olive groves. The villa’s wine cellar houses an impressive collection of over 500 wines which include Brunello di Montalcino labels and a treasure trove of Super Tuscans. Learn more about these exquisite varieties on a guided tasting, lead by an expert sommelier, who will take you on a memorable journey through the Tuscan wine tasting tradition. You may wish to select a bottle or two of your choosing to enjoy over delicious Tuscan specialities prepared by your private chef.
Both Florence and San Gimignano are less than an hour’s drive away should you feel in need of a change of scene, but back at the villa you can recover in exclusive style in the private wellness area which includes a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
Villa Cispiano
Villa Cispiano is a property with a history and heritage as rich as the Sangiovese grapes grown in abundance here. This former monastery and farmhouse has been lovingly restored, with villa owner Sergio passionate about celebrating the legacy of the family estate. Wine forms an integral part of the identity of the estate today, with Villa Cispiano’s own winery producing some of the region’s most sought-after Tuscan and Chianti Classico labels. During your stay, a private tour of the winery can be arranged, which includes a visit to the vast wine cellar – located in a former World War II bomb shelter – and guided tastings and blending lead by the estate’s renowned oenologist. Wine aside, this is also a villa that lends itself to pure Tuscan indulgence. A private spa and an inviting outdoor swimming pool with bar and summer kitchen are just some of its alluring features.
Mandola Piccola
Villas with their own wineries are far less common in Umbria than neighbouring Tuscany, so a private winery is just one of the features that makes Mandola Piccola so special. The owners of this delightful converted farmhouse first experimented with viticulture back in 2008, encouraged by an enthusiastic agronomist and oenologist from Tuscany who was curious to see what could be produced by the mineral-rich Umbrian soil. Equally enthusiastic were the local villagers who threw themselves into the endeavour of the harvest when the vineyards here first began to yield fruit – and wines now fall under the Umbrian Todi DOC appellation. Further wine experiences can be enjoyed within easy reach of the villa, including tastings at the notable wineries to be found in Montefalco and Torgiano. You may also wish to visit picturesque Umbrian hill towns such as Perugia and Todi, before returning to Mandola Piccola for a leisurely afternoon by the pool which is encircled by olive trees and fragrant lavender.
