Località il Molinaccio - Gaiole in Chianti
from 5828 Canadian Dollars to 8325 Canadian Dollars per week in 2010
up to 10 people - 5 bedrooms - 5 bathrooms
Private Pool
Il Molinaccio 10 Description
Villa
Molinaccio has origins dating back to the 10th Century. It was
originally built as a watchtower for defence and communication purposes
between two castles. Over the following centuries the tower was
destroyed and rebuilt in the traditional rural style. Evidence of the
buildings past can still be found, especially in the external walls
which are over a metre wide in places.
The
large 'L' shaped swimming pool with diving board is set in a secluded
part of the garden, surrounded by woodland. It is reached by crossing a
wooden bridge over the river that runs through the property. The paved
area surrounding the pool is furnished with loungers, sun umbrellas,
tables and chairs.
Il
Molinaccio was bought by the Ricasoli family, owners of the Castello di
Brolio near Gaiole in Chianti, who turned it into a mill. The Ricasoli
family crest is still in place and can be seen on the main facade of
the building. The current owners have completely restored and
refurbished both the main house and the barn, preserving the property's
history, yet bringing it up to date with all the comforts of today's
modern age.
The
property consists of the main house with five double bedrooms and a
barn which has been converted into two one bedroomed apartments. The
house was completely renovated in 1999, and great care was taken to
ensure this was done sympathetically, respecting the historical
structure of the building.
Wherever
possible local materials were used, which means, that whilst the
property has all the comforts of a 21st Century villa, many of the
original features still remain, making this a unique place to stay.
The
villa and apartments are surrounded by five hectares of beautiful
grounds with mature trees and shrubs, making this a very private
setting. Terraces for outside dining can be found at both the front and
the back of the property. There is a tributary of the river Massellone
which runs through the gardens, however, this is not fenced in, so care
must be taken with young children.
The
house is entered through a set of double doors, which open directly
into the large kitchen. Downstairs all the rooms have tiled floors and
brick built vaulted ceilings. The fully fitted kitchen has wooden units
with a built in oven with separate hobs, a large freestanding fridge
with freezer section and a dishwasher. There is a built in storage
cupboard set into the wall on one side, and a dining table and chairs
sit in front of a wooden dresser at one end of the room.
To
the left a brick arched doorway leads to the central hallway, and the
downstairs bathroom with shower. A door to the right hand side of the
hall opens into the main dining room. Another brick arched doorway in
the kitchen leads into the lounge. This is a relaxing space with large
comfortable sofas arranged in front of the open fireplace. There is a
satellite TV with DVD player and a music system. French doors open onto
a furnished terrace overlooking the gardens.
To
the left hand side of the lounge is a doorway into the dining room.
This room is rather special, with its superb floor to ceiling arched
window which retains its original ironwork at one end and the original
wooden bread oven (which still functions) at the other. In the centre
is a large wooden dining table which can seat up to fourteen. Dotted
around the room there is a collection of artefacts from the time it was
used as a mill.
Access
to the downstairs bedroom is off of the dining room. This is a spacious
bedroom with a gently curved vaulted ceiling dating back to the time
when there was a tower on the site. Comfortably furnished with a double
bed, painted wardrobe, chest of drawers, baby cot, TV and a sofa.
The
handmade original stone staircase has been carefully restored, and this
leads from the main dining room, upstairs through a brick archway to
the first floor landing. This level of the house retains the original
19th Century terracotta floors and the traditional beamed ceilings with
terracotta typical of farmhouses in this region.
From
the first floor landing area, there is access to two of the bedrooms,
the family bathroom and the upstairs sitting room. The small sitting
room has comfortable chairs and a desk, the walls have fitted shelves
and freestanding bookcases filled with books, all arranged around the
focal point of the room which is the enormous original open fireplace
with stove, this is the ideal place to relax away from the heat of the
day.
The
master bedroom is to the left of the sitting room, and is a very bright
spacious room, with three windows overlooking the gardens and rolling
hillside. There is a double bed, large wardrobe, a chest of drawers and
TV. It has its own private ensuite bathroom with shower.
The
third double bedroom is through the sitting room to the right and has a
queen sized wooden sleigh bed, large wardrobe and views over the
gardens.
A
second double bedroom to the left of the landing has two windows with
views over the gardens and a double bed with wicker headboard, sofa,
large wardrobe and chest of drawers.
The
fourth bedroom to the right of the landing has twin beds with a large
wardrobe and very large chest of drawers and two windows with views
over the grounds. The large, bright family bathroom located next to the
twin bedded room has a full sized bath with handheld shower.
The
caretakers can provide assistance with information on the local area,
sightseeing and activities as well as booking restaurants and extras
such as a chef or baby sitter. They maintain a low profile
during rental periods if their assistance is not required. The
caretakers stay in the dependence.
In
a great location for sightseeing with the historical centres of Arezzo,
Cortona, Pisa, San Gimignano, Montalcino and Montepulciano, all within
1½ hours drive.
| Details |
Facilities |
The size of the villa is 250 sqm
Position Floor ground & 1st
Bedrooms 5
Bathroom 5 |
TV
TV Sat (Sky)
Barbecue
DVD player (Euro)
CD player
Video player
Fire place (open)
Furnished terrace
NO ANIMALS ALLOWED
Safe
Washing Machine Inhouse
Dishwasher
Oven
American coffee machine
Stove top expresso machine
Hairdryer
1 baby cot
Iron
Ironing board
Highchair
Toaster
Kettle
|
| Location Information |
 Swimming pool - it is 14x7 metres and has a diving board. It is open from May until the 15th October. Private Chef - available on request
Babysitter - available on request
Wine Tastings - available on request
Local Leisure - cooking school, horse riding, ballooning, tennis, mountain bike
Internet Onsite
- high speed connection available in the villa free of charge, bring your own computer.
Distances - Arezzo 55km, Cortona 96km, San Gimignano 70km, Montalcino 80km, Montepulciano 92km, Pisa 148km.
Approach road - only 50mts of unpaved road |
