La Corte

A farmhouse near to a village

The La Corte estate stretches out over a hillside covered with vineyards, olive trees and woodland. It is set in the very heart of Chianti near the main road from Florence to Siena, only 16 km south of Florence.

This lovely estate on the western fringe of Chianti is owned by one of Italy's oldest families, descendants of both a saint and Pope Clement XII (who commissioned the Trevi Fountain in Rome). At one time the property owner could ride all the way from this estate to their palace in Rome without ever leaving their own land.

Despite its august background, this property is a refreshingly friendly and relaxed estate: The Renaissance Villa (no picture here), one of the finest in Tuscany, stands on the highest hill in the very centre of the estate. The Italian garden overlooking the Pesa Valley and the vast fourteenth century wine cellars and oil jar-storage, built into the embankment in the garden, complete the picturesque scenario.

Having entered the hudge estate, a private access road of approx. 200 m leads to the La Corte farmhouse. La Corte stands by its own (see first picture).

The house has a total 8 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, therefore a total of 15 people can be accommodated. If your group is smaller than 14 people you can benefit from the advantage of a price reduction (please see below special prices for groups up to 12 people). To assure your privacy the unused rooms will be closed.

La Corte was completely restored in 2000, when modern amenities were installed while retaining the original architectural structure and characteristic farmhouse features. The interior is still "farm style".

Property description if rented for 12 people:
In the centre of the house is a spacious kitchen with hearth and an old oven for baking bread. The large kitchen leads to a lavender painted dining room. There are two living rooms: the central sitting-room with two sofas and some armchairs and a smaller sitting-room which opens to the garden.

Four airy bedrooms (two with double beds, two with twin beds) all face onto the central living room. The four bedrooms have en suite bathrooms and one of which, the master bedroom, has a small loggia with view overlooking the ancient renaissance villa in the background. (Additionally there is a single bedroom with en suite bathroom, which can be rented at extra charge). Some rooms have antique terracotta tiled floors, others have wooden floors. The brick roof rests on mighty oak beams.

On the ground floor there are 2 double bedrooms with a bathroom each. (One bedroom can be prepared as twin bedroom).

Just outside the dining room there is a terrace for al fresco dining equipped with table chairs and a large garden parasol. A lawn leads to the pool. From the swimming pool, the garden fades naturally into the surrounding olive groves.

Extra bedroom if rented for 14 people:
On the ground floor there is 1 more bedroom with a bathroom, which can be opened at an additional charge (see price list below, category 14 people). This bedroom has an independant access to the garden, is not connected to the interior of the house and has a bathroom suitable for wheelchair. This bedroom will remain closed if the house is rented at the price for 12 people.

The house has views over the gently rolling hills, olive growes, vineyards and the village of San Casciano. The farmhouse is just outside of the village, approx. 1.5 km distant. You could even walk there! San Casciano offers a good choice of excellent restaurants, a geleteria, several Cappuccino bars, all kind of grocery shops, a cinema, a bank, a post office and a beautiful local market every Monday morning. In the house you will find a list of recommended restaurants and information about the region. If you travel during the colder months you will enjoy the heated public indoor pool of San Casciano which is only 500 metres from the property.

The villa's location only 1.5 km from the next bus stop is a good base to visit Florence even without a car. During the week buses go regularly to Florence (approx. every 1.5 hours). In Florence the bus will take you to the main train station which is right in the centre of Florence - it is just a short walk from the station "Santa Maria Novella" to the Cathedral or the Uffizi.

La Corte is suitable for anyone interested in the inner workings of an olive-oil- and wine-producing estate. The extensive vine and olive cultivations stretch as far as the eye can see. A selection of the best vintages is stored in the winery cellars in large kegs, and the olive oil is delcious. Since 1993 the estate has been hosting two major international events: a flower and garden festival that usually held during the third week in September in the elegant garden of the villa and a vine exposition that takes place during the first weekend in May. The estate offers those seeking to immerse themselves in the green hills of Chianti Classico the possibility of absorbing nature, history and culture in one!

The estate has another small holiday structure, La Scala (also featured in our portfolio), a small apartment for 4 people. It does not disturb the privacy of the La Corte guests since it is at a distance of approx. 300 metres, it cannot be seen, it has its own access road and even its own pool.

The Chianti area
The hills of Chianti, criss-crossed with vines and crested with cypress trees have become the hallmark of Tuscany, the beauty of the landscape married to a quality of life which would be rare anywhere in the world. Chiantishire, as the English call it, has an infinite variety of hilltop villages where you can sip a cappuccino in one of the outdoor cafes in the medieval squares, of cellars where you can sample the local wines from the barrels, of little trattorias serving robustly satisfying Tuscan food with its hams and salamis and delicious pastas and wild boar stew with white beans and salads growing wild in the hedgerows. The back roads wind uphill and down, between old stone walls crested with pale violet irises past Romanesque cloisters, sandstone farmhouses and shepherds with their flocks of sheep producing the famed 'pecorino' cheese.

Sightseeing
You are in the heart of Tuscany (San Casciano is "the doorway to Chianti"), and the list of excursions half or a whole day away is long: Florence, famous for its fine Renaissance art, the walled city of Lucca with its 99 churches, the leaning tower of Pisa, the Val d'Orcia with the Renaissance town of Pienza and the wine-making meccas of Montepulciano and Montalcino and the awe-inspiring abbey of Sant'Antimo are just a few...

Distances
Florence is 15 to 20 minutes away, Greve in Chianti 25 minutes, San Gimignano 30 minutes, while Siena can be reached in 50 minutes. Montalcino and Pienza are a one and a half hour's drive, while the Thyrrenian sea is one hour away. Pisa and Lucca are one hour by car while the jet-set sea resort of Porto Ercole can be reached in approx. two hours.

Airports and transport
The Florence airport is 30 kilometres away and Pisa is at 118 kilometres, while the airport in Rome is less than three hours away and approx. 290 kilometres further south. The nearest railway station with most travel options is Florence.