Villa Montalcino

Set among the Sangiovese vineyards that produce Brunello di Montalcino, this villa combines a renovated stone barn with a modern glass extension designed by a Florentine studio. The property arranges private tastings at three neighbouring estates and the chef sources exclusively from the Montalcino farmers' market. An outdoor kitchen and wood-fired oven sit beside the pool for informal summer dining. The glass extension is the architectural centrepiece. Designed by a Florentine studio known for its work on contemporary interventions in historic buildings, it connects the original stone barn to a new wing containing the master suite and an open-plan living and dining space. The glass walls frame the vineyard on three sides, and at sunset the room fills with the amber light that characterises this corner of Tuscany. The contrast between the 18th-century stone and 21st-century glass is deliberate and striking. Five bedrooms are split between the original barn (three rooms with exposed stone walls and timber ceilings) and the new wing (two rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass). The barn rooms have more character; the new rooms have better views. All have ensuite bathrooms with travertine surfaces and walk-in rainfall showers. The wine tastings are not generic Tuscan experiences. The property has relationships with three neighbouring Brunello producers, including one whose wines regularly receive 95+ scores from major critics. Tastings take place in the producers' own cellars, usually followed by a walk through the vineyards with the winemaker. These visits are best arranged in the morning, before the afternoon heat settles into the valley. The outdoor kitchen is where summer evenings happen at Villa Montalcino. A wood-fired oven reaches the temperatures needed for proper Neapolitan-style pizza, and the built-in grill handles the bistecca alla fiorentina that guests inevitably want at least once during a Tuscan stay. A long farmhouse table seats 12 under a pergola draped with wisteria. The pool - a 15-metre rectangle of blue against the golden vineyard - sits just beyond the dining area. Montalcino's medieval centre is a 10-minute drive up the hill. The town is small enough to explore in an hour but has several excellent restaurants and a fortress (the Fortezza) with a wine bar offering tastings of nearly every Brunello producer in the appellation. The Friday morning market is worth the visit for local salami, pecorino, and fresh produce.