A Retreat
in the Tuscan Countryside
Villa Montecastello
Here at IWM we are often
asked for recommendations on "where to stay" and "what to see"
while in Italy. There are hundreds of options, but an excellent
starting point is Villa
Montecastello in Tuscany, especially if
you are
looking to do a wine tour of the region.
Villa Montecastello is the vision of
Jens and
Ruth
Schmidt
(who
also specialize in importing the wines of many small artisanal
producers). They have restored a thousand year old
castle in an attempt to revive the art
of hospitality in this little hamlet between
Siena and
San
Gimignano. The Villa offers
a lovely, serene retreat in the idyllic countryside of Tuscany.
This beautifully restored castle still manifests its history as
a medieval fortress and, later, as a monastery that welcomed pilgrims
along with traveling soldiers and merchants. Both Firenze and Siena
are less than an hour’s drive away, and the charming medieval
town of San Gimignano is within sight of the estate. The Villa
sits among the groves of the Montecastelli farm, where hosts Jens
and Ruth Schmidt produce organic oil from their olive trees as
well as growing fragrant herbs which are further surrounded by vineyards.
The space is truly gearded
for the enthusiast of fine wine and food, as the castle
offers accomomdations for lodging, private wine lessons in
the estate’s professional
tasting room and customized cooking classes. The hosts will also
arrange wine tours throughout Italy, with Jens acting
as guide in the vineyard, cellar, and tasting room. Equally as
important, Villa Montecastelli serves as a central resting point
for visits to Siena, Florence, San Gimignano,
Montalcino, and the Chianti zones. Read on below
to learn more about IWM's endorsement for Villa Montacastello
or visit
them online.
Accomodations at Villa Montecastello:
The Villa is set-up as a compound and offers four rustic Italian
apartments. Generously
spaced kitchen and dining
rooms for the wine and food lover, high
speed
internet
connections,
individual
outdoor terraces (with barbeque) overlooking the sunset
with vineyards and San Gimignano in the distance - are some of the
delights that await
guests of Villa Montecastello.
Four apartments of different sizes can be rented
individually or combined in one package to accommodate
a maximum of 18 guests.
The four apartments are named after the major varieties
of olives grown on the property and are called: Frantoio (sleeps
6), Moraiolo (sleeps 4), Leccino (sleeps 2+2) and Pendolino (sleeps
2). Please click the name for details on each apartment and check
their availability.
Activities at Villa
Montecastello:
Guests have access
to the entire grounds and use of the outdoor swimming pool,
relax in the courtyard or under the
arbors
in the garden. Available activities include private wine
lessons in the estate’s professional tasting room and customized
cooking classes. The hosts will also arrange trips to wineries
throughout Italy, with Jens acting as guide in the vineyard,
cellar, and tasting room.
Points of interest (within 1 hour):
Colle Val d'Elsa (15 minutes)
-
old center 'Colle Alto', Crystal glass
shows
Siena (25 minutes)
- Pinacoteca (Beccafumi), Piazza del
Campo, Il Duomo, Museo dei Fisiocritici, Palio (Traditional Horserace,
July 2, August
16)
San Gimignano (30minutes)
-
Wine tours, Torture Museum,
Duomo
San Galgano (35 minutes)
-
Unique remains of a rare
Gothic church
Volterra (40 minutes)
-
Etruscan museum, Nursery for
aromatic plants
Chianti (20 - 60 minutes)
-
Wine tours, wild boar
salami and prosciutto
Montalcino (60 minutes)
-
Wine tours, Abby of San
Antimo
Florence (60 minutes)
-
Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, San
Lorenzo, Brancacci Chapel
Pienza (60 minutes)
-
Duomo, Pecorino cheese and truffles
Driving distance to other cities or points of interest:
San Giovanni d'Asso (center for Tuscan Truffle)
1.5 hours
Bagno Vignoni (thermal bath) 1.5 hours
Arezzo (Piero d. Francesca: Legend of the True Cross)
1.75 hours
Piombino (Etruscan sites/ferry to Elba) 1.75 hours
Lucca (2 hours)
Perugia 2 hours (Assisi + 20 minutes)
Monte Argentario (seaside) 2 hours
Sovana (Etruscan sites) 2.25 hours
Venice (3 hours)
Rome (3 hours)
Milan (4.5 hours)
Naples (5 hours)
Piedmont (5 hours)
Other Activities:
Mountain Biking/Hiking in Montagnola Nature Reserve
Swimming in the Olympic Pool in Colle Val D'Elsa
Hot Air Balloon Trips with Local Guides
Exploring the Hilltop Towns of the Val d'Elsa: Radicondoli, Casole
D'Elsa, Mensano and many others
A visit to the ancient Roman Bagno Vignoni or one of the other many
Thermal Baths within 1- 1½ hours drive of Montecastelli
Learn More:
To find out more or to inquire about renting
Villa Montecastello, visit
the Montecastelli website or call 212.414.4898.
