Fattoria Castelvecchi

Few wines from Italy are as well recognised as the Chianti. An earthy, rustic, deep ruby red wine, it’s undeniably a product of its environment, begging to be accompanied by bread, olive oils, balsamic vinegar and wafer thin prosciutto.

The original residents of Castelvecchi were the labourers and farmers working to produce bottle after bottle of this exquisite wine. They’ve since moved on to other dwellings, but from the farmhouse’s appearance, you’d never know it – it’s a typically Italian “borgo”, the original features and traditional architecture enduring to this day.

Of course, updates have been made. Although the bedrooms still encompass many of the original features, the wrought iron bedframes and décor inspired by the cornflower blues and lavender shades of the Tuscan landscape are new. The simple, rustic fare of the farmers still inspires the traditional Tuscan menu at Castelvecchi’s restaurant, but it’s a little more sophisticated now – though still using the fresh, seasonal ingredients of the local farmland. Day to day life has changed a little for hotel residents as well. Rather than working through the heat of day, reprieve from the glorious sunshine can be found in the dappled shade of the beautiful hotel gardens, or through dipping in to the outdoor pool and enjoying the surrounding countryside view.

Though now life at the Fattoria Castelvecchi is more leisurely than laborious, the rural and pastoral charm of the farmhouse ensures it remains the perfect place to raise a glass and toast the Tuscan way of life.