Just a few kilometers from San Gimignano, in a panoramic position amidst the vineyards, 13.9-hectare estate with villa, vineyards and wine cellar. The property is made up of three buildings (675 sqm), including a stunning villa that is rented out with excellent results. The vineyards (5.0 ha) can produce up to 18,000 bottles of wines per year thanks to an equipped cellar in the property.
Services are all available in San Gimignano (3km; 5’) and many cities of Tuscany can be reached in less than two hours by car (Colle di Val d’Elsa, Castellina n Chianti, Volterra, Siena, Cortona, Florence, Pienza, Montepulciano…).
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDINGS
The main farmhouse (400 sqm – 4,304 sqft), dating back to the 1790s, typically painted with the original terracotta colour, has a beautiful façade with arches framing glazed windows.
The central door, used as main entrance, opens just in front of the typical central staircase leading to the first floor. On the right we find the spacious habitable kitchen with two windows; from here going down five steps one gets to a large living room with a French window leading outside. This room has then access to a closet and a small bathroom.
On the left hand side of the staircase is a very spacious lounge with an old stone fireplace and two windows. On the wall, two openings lead into a large dining room with two beautiful glass doors.
All the floors are paved with original terracotta tiles, while the ceilings features barrel and ribbed vaults made out of terracotta bricks. The renovation of the house was undertaken with the utmost respect for the tradition of the typical Tuscan style farmhouses, using recovery materials and ancient techniques of construction (using lime and earthenware).
The old stone staircase leads, with its 14 steps, to the first floor where a central corridor leads into four double bedrooms, all fitted with an en-suite bathroom.
The guesthouse (47 sqm – 506 sqft) is placed in front of the main farmhouse, but still enjoys excellent privacy. It is on a single floor with a living-room, a kitchen and a double bedroom with en-suite bathroom.
The basement of the guesthouse is currently used as a wine cellar (128 sqm – 1,377 sqft) made up of two spacious rooms (ageing room and vat room with small shop).
The two-story barn (100 sqm – 1,076 sqft) is ideal to create further living space. The ground floor is currently used as warehouse and the first floor could be used to create an office or other rooms for agricultural use.
EXTERIORS
The 14 x 7 m swimming pool, situated on a privileged and panoramic position, is set just a few steps away from the houses and has a maximum depth of 2 meters.
The whole property is surrounded by 13.9 hectares with 5.0 hectares of vineyard, 1.5 hectares of olive grove and 6.5 hectares of woodland.
Vineyards are usually older than 30 years, but they have undergone a careful maintenance in recent year to maximize their yield. Damaged plants have been replaced and supports have been completely rebuilt. Only the Sangiovese vines (1.1 ha) has been planted recently (2010-2011) over the remains of the old vineyard.
The olive grove (1.5 ha) is made up of approximately 350 trees, 70 of which recently planted and thus not yet fully productive. Some of the old trees can’t yield olives anymore, because they were neglected by the previous owners and left in an abandon state. The maximum yearly production is 500 liters of oil, a quantity bound to increase in the following years when the younger trees become productive. What’s more, the old trees can be replaced, thus increasing even more the production.
DETAILS ON WINE PRODUCTION
The vineyards in the property are currently rented out to a third party that takes care of maintenance and harvest.
- Vineyard surface: 5.0 hectares
- Varieties: Merlot (32%), Cabernet-Sauvignon (28%), Sangiovese (22%), Vernaccia (12%)
- Year of planting: 1985 – 2011
- Training: pruned-spur cordon
- Yearly production: 15,000 – 18,000 bottles
- Average wine prices: € 4.00 - € 8.00 per bottle
PRODUCED WINES
- Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG: 100% Vernaccia
- Toscana Rosso IGT: 100% Merlot
- Toscana Rosso IGT: 100% Cabernet-Sauvignon
- Toscana Rosso IGT: 100% Merlot
- Toscana Rosso IGT Riserva: 100% Cabernet-Sauvignon
- Toscana Rosso IGT Riserva: 33% Merlot, 33% Sangiovese, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon
USE AND POTENTIAL USES
The rental business (which garners excellent results) has been running for 15 years and can depend on a list of regular and affectionate guests, but could be sold also as a private home for lovers of the heart of Tuscany, who are looking for peace, quiet and complete relaxation. In 2017 management costs for the hosting business amounted to € 13,500 for workers’ salaries, plus € 16,500 for miscellaneous costs (electricity, water supply, maintenance...).
This is also a profitable investment as the excellent wines and olive oil are sold in the area as well as abroad. Should the prospective buyer not want to farm the land, it can be rented on a yearly contract.