Podere Casato

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Castello Sonnino, or Castello di Montespertoli, is a stunning castle on a wine estate next to a village called Montespertoli in the Chianti region of Tuscany, 20km south of Florence. Dating back as far as the 13th century, this 150 hectare estate has been the home of the de Renzis Sonnino family since the beginning of the nineteenth century. The arrival of Baron Alessandro and Baroness Caterina de Renzis Sonnino, with their children Virginia and Leone, in 1987, saw the estate transformed into the well-oiled machine that it is today and their conservative renovation work and “commitment to the protection of the historic-cultural heritage and the revival of the winegrowing activity” have made Castello Sonnino one of the most highly regarded wine producers in Florentine Chianti.

Hearing what real people have to say about something helps give us peace of mind and, luckily, here at Italy Villas, we have been blessed with lots of customers who give us great feedback on our properties. Therefore, we thought that it would be a good idea to put together a list of our most-reviewed properties to show some of the excellent villas and experiences you can expect when you book with us. Here are two more!

7. La Cenerara

La Cenerara is a large villa, spread across 2 floors, that is located in the hills of Emilia Romagna, close by both Parma and Piacenza. With a pool, mini football pitch, trampoline, beautiful natural surroundings and a horse-riding facility, it is the perfect place of business retreats, family holidays and getaways with friends alike. Charming and well-maintained, the villa has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and sleeps up to 13 people.

Beautiful and historic wineries that are located in the most extraordinary settings are not unusual in Tuscany but, though there are many and many that we have discussed in this blog on numerous occasions in the past, there are many more excellent examples that we have yet to discover and for visitors to the region to discover. So, if you're a serious wine-lover who is thinking of planning a vacation sometime soon, there can be no doubt that Tuscany makes for a truly idyllic and perfect holiday destination to go and see where great Italian wines are made, taste wines, learn about them, buy and ship bottles home, and to engage in a vibrant and ancient wine culture.

One particularly scenic and lovely winery in which one can do all of the above and more besides is the beautiful Castello di Monsanto. While the Castello di Monsanto actually dates back to the middle of the 18th century and wine production in the area goes back centuries, it is in the last fifty years that the estate has become home to the Bianchi family and their beloved wines. Located in Barberino Val d'Elsa, in western Chianti Classico, a bit northwest of Castellina in Chianti, this incredible historic castle was where founder Aldo Bianchi, a native of San Gimignano who had first left Tuscany before the Second World War to seek fortune elsewhere in the North of Italy, found himself at a wedding. Taking in the amazing views across at his hometown of San Gimignano, over the hills of the Chianti Fiorentino region, and right to Monte Amiata and the Apuan Alps from the terrace of the castle, Aldo fell in love. Within a few months, he owned the Castello di Monsanto.

Acquacotta is a traditional dish originating in the coastal region of Tuscany known as Maremma. Literally translated the name means “cooked water” and accurately represents its origins as a peasant dish. It is an old and historic dish that comes from the colliers, or charcoal burners, farmers and shepherds of the area, who were the poorest of people. Despite such humble origins, like many other dishes that were once peasant foods, it remains enduringly popular to this day.

Montelupo Fiorentino is a pretty village, located just on the outskirts of Florence, that has been an important centre for handmade ceramics in Tuscany since the Middle Ages. Montelupo ceramics were traded and dispensed all across Europe and quickly became synonymous with quality and beautiful craftsmanship. Today, it is home to plenty of workshops still producing the pieces and a museum dedicated to the craft, the Museum of Ceramics in Montelupo. If you have found a vacation rental in Florence and are interested in Tuscany's long legacy of excellence in all of the arts but need a break from the busy historic centre and bustling museums of the city, this is a great place to soak up the region's history of artisanal prowess and even shop it, all while enjoying a slower pace and calmer lifestyle.