Viticcio: Enjoy staying in the heart of a Tuscan wine estate

A vision of Chianti vineyards within walking distance of Greve

The long rows of grapes at the award winning wine estate Viticcio come into sight long before the traditional-styled Tuscan farmhouse and its 9 self-catering vacation accommodations.

Meeting up on-site with Alexander & his wife Alena, the owners, and Lorena and Chiara, two members of the Viticcio team that welcome guests, was the perfect opportunity to get to know the driving force behind the activity and growth at Viticcio over the last few years. Alexander and Alena present themselves with an air of mystery, but once you hit upon their passions, Tuscany and wine, they open up with enthusiasm and so does everyone else we met on site. Sitting in a commanding position above the valley, yet at the same time it is a convenient walking distance to Greve in Chianti, Viticcio is the perfect site for basing yourself in Tuscany as well as enjoying the wine region of Chianti.

The entire team at Viticcio

On our visit, we toured the well-maintained garden with its large saltwater pool boasting a scenic view of Chianti vineyard-covered hills, flanked by a grassy field, children's playground and a soccer net, as well as picnic tables. We also got a chance to tour the wine cellars watching the staff making adjustments to the fermentation vats since this was right after the harvest and labeling the latest edition of wines. In both instances, the silence and splendor of the setting embraced us.

The balance between work and play, nature and man-made was exquisite, and I am inclined to believe making Viticcio holiday apartments your base for a stay in Tuscany would not be just a vacation but a hearty slice of authentic Tuscan culture: mixing nature with pleasure. Occasionally, there was a tractor in the distance, but other than that, there was just the calm sound of silence among the vineyards and olive trees.

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Tuscan Farmhouses near Chianti

The Viticcio farm stretches to the castle above and the valley below, encompassing over 30 hectares of vineyards, olive groves, forest and the farmhouse vacation rental apartments.

The stone farmhouses have been carefully restored over the years and now house 9 full service holiday rentals which vaunt a casual Tuscan style decor, with full access to a saltwater pool, a garden with kids games and an American style BBQ in each apartment's outdoor space.

The interiors reflect a simple country style, with a wide array of modern accessories including WI-Fi, dishwasher, air-conditioning, and satellite TV.

The apartments are at the heart of the wine estate and its agricultural activities so that guests can really get a sense of what it takes to make great wine in Tuscany. That doesn’t mean that they won’t have privacy and tranquility. Many of the apartments come with their own private garden areas, including tables and chairs for meals and enjoying the outdoors. Those few apartments that don’t have a private garden have a dedicated space overlooking the vineyards behind the houses.

The largest apartment is called Viticcio, and is approximately 100 square meters with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Especially nice is the balcony area and the romantic four-poster bed. I particularly liked the rich colors and textures of the linens.

We also visited the apartment Beatrice, on the ground floor, with a secluded patio looking over the large pool and grassy area. Set on two floors, the kitchen and living room area are designed to encourage time together cooking meals with wonderful Tuscan ingredients.

Special Kind of Luxury

The newest addition to the accommodations at Viticcio includes the deluxe apartment Belvedere, with its own private pool and garden area. The apartment was designed to please and maybe even spoil you just a bit.

There are two double bedrooms with a dedicated bathroom each and one master bedroom suite with an extra large bathroom and a connecting bedroom for the kids with two single beds.

The Belvedere apartment features a super-equipped kitchen (large oven, refrigerator and a wide selection of kitchen appliances) and a combined living room and dining room area with a focolare, what a traditional Tuscan fireplace is called locally.

There is original artwork, handcrafted furniture and a soothing selection of colors that create an environment that is more than welcoming, it will lull you into complete relaxation. With more than 220 square meters, the Belvedere Apartment hosts up to 10 persons, with a total of 4 bedrooms, each with their own flat screen TV and AC unit.

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Invested Heart & Soul

The Chianti landscape will surely seduce you, and whether you love wine or not, you will still love the position and panoramic views.

If you value the possibility of being able to walk into town to shop at the market and get your bread hot out of the local bakery, then Viticcio is perfect for you. Only a 1.5km walk on a back country road will have you at one of the many cafès for an early morning cappuccino or an afternoon aperitivo. For guests who have heard stories of parking and ZTL zones in Florence, you can make use of the regular bus that will take you to the city center and SMN train station in Florence from the main piazza in Greve, leaving your car and all worries behind.

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A Well Rounded Vacation Experience

In addition to the many services and comfortable accommodations at the family-run wine estate, it is also possible to participate in a tour of the winery and enjoy a guided wine tasting of their products. Upon request, the Viticcio sommelier can arrange for you to visit the vineyards, taste local products and even have you meet the enologist to experiment making your own special blend of Sangiovese to make your own Chianti wine. They also offer a chef who will come in and prepare meals for you - or even offer a cooking lesson in your apartment - where you savor the end results along with a tempting glass of Viticcio wine.

There is no other way to say it, Viticcio is Tuscany showcased at its best. Besides the 360° panoramic views of vineyards, olive groves, castles and small medieval hamlets, Viticcio offers the heart of Chianti. The ideal position close to Florence makes day trips easy, either on your own or with public transport. But for those who just want to relax, the large garden and pool, spacious apartments and quick walk to town are just perfect for a full immersion into the culture and holiday spirit of Tuscany.

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