Villa dell Upupe Tuscany

This 6 bedroom estate is immersed in the green hills and surrounded by prized vineyards, offering wonderful views of the typical soft Chianti hills and valleys.

Beautiful property obtained from the restoration of a small rural complex comprising three units on a hillside in the heart of the Chianti Classico region.

The closest town for shopping and all services is Castellina in Chianti at 1.6 kms. Siena is at 20 kms and Firenze is at 37 kms. The property is situated in a wonderful location to allow guests to visit all the historical, natural and archaeological sites of the Siennese province and of Tuscany in general with very exciting day trips that can be planned well ahead.

Although the property was totally converted and restored, it has not lost its original characteristics and presents itself on the outside with great simplicity and modesty to those who glance at it for the first time. The structures were built in stone in ancient epochs and are personalised by small pergolas on some of the doors, high steps, used and warn passageways between the outside areas, partially hidden arches where the chopped winter wood is kept, and, spectacularly, in a corner rich with lemon trees in large cotto vases, a fully grown palm tree that has adapted itself to the mild microclimate.

In a plateau on a lower level near the larger structure and reached by stairs built into the hill, is the private 6 X 10 meter swimming pool (depth runs from 1.7 to 2.6 meters) that is surrounded by natural vegetation and is quite well furnished.The property is reached by 800 meters of good dirt track. There is an ample parking area shaded by umbrella pines. This area is on a higher level with respect to the houses. There is a set of wide stairs and a pathway that lead down to the lower level where the hamlet houses develop.

The main house measures 300 sqm and develops on three levels. Main entrance is from an external brick and stone landing reached by the stairs from the raised parking area. At one end of the landing is a partially covered terrace equipped with garden furniture. Up one step from the landing, entrance is into the spacious living room with comfortable sofas set in front of an open hearth fireplace ? it is believed that this was actually the kitchen of the hamlet with all meals prepared in the fireplace. From this living room, doors lead to all the rest of the house. A beautiful and impressive sage coloured wood staircase leads to the first floor, while a second staircase, hidden by the first one, leads to the lower level.

To the left of the entrance, down two steps, a door opens into a cosy study with sitting area. A glass door in the study leads, up two steps, outside to the covered terrace mentioned earlier.

A second door at the end of the study opens into a hallway to the right, which leads back, through an open passageway and up two steps, to the entrance living room. To the left of the hallway, a door opens into a complete bathroom with shower.

From the entrance hall way, straight ahead, is the dining room. A door on the right of the dining room, leads up two steps, to the kitchen. The kitchen is fully equipped and decorated with beautiful handmade tiles. It has a gas range with 4 hobs, two electric hobs, a ventilated electric oven, two counter fitted fridges with freezer compartments, and dishwasher. A glass door in the kitchen opens outside onto a landing from which, down a few stone steps, you reach the terrace, and, continuing down, the pool.

A second door in the kitchen, leads back, up two steps, to the entrance living room. From here, the staircase leading to the lower level opens into a huge and choreographic drawing room, or hall, as you might prefer to describe it that is the result of the restoration of the stables. The wood grain feeders have been maintained intact. The hall hosts a living area and a large billiards table. Two notable open brick arched divide the room into sectors and a series of glass and wrought iron doors that run the length of the hall, give it the sensation of an open portico. The doors open onto a splendid terrace that runs the length of the house, shaded by pergolas and large trees. It is furnished with beautiful benches and reclining chairs in teak wood. The terrace is, obviously, also accessible from the outside.

Back in the entrance hall, the wood staircase leads up to a landing with door on the right, and down, one step, a hallway with door on the left, which leads, up one step, to the master bedroom? The bedroom is spacious with en suite complete bathroom with bathtub and two washbasin, besides the usual bathroom fixtures and the walls are tinted a sage green colour.

All the rooms on the first floor are under the roof and boast huge wood beams on sight: some heights vary from 1.26 6o 1.40 meters. From the upper hallway, a second door opens into a twin bedded room with door to a complete bathroom with shower. This bathroom is shared with the double bedroom that has its own independent access from the hallway, but also has door to this same bathroom. The main structure described thus far also offers satellite TV and at ground floor is a laundry room with washing machine. Telephone and fax (analogic lines) are in the main structure where the CD reader is also located.

The second structure measures 95 sqm and is right next door to the first one. It has its access from the southwest, through glass doors opening into a hallway where the wood burning oven for baking bread and pizza is located. Up three steps from here, through a second glass door, is the living/dining room with central peninsula kitchen that is complete with gas range, ventilated electric oven, and small dishwasher with counter fitted small fridge. A large glass arched door opens from the living room onto the outside.

From the living room, an open passageway leads to a hallway with door on the left to a double bedroom, second door on the left to a single bedroom with glass door to the outside garden, and, in the centre, door to a complete bathroom with shower. An external access leads up a few stairs to a door that remains closed: this door is to a suite with hallway, double bedroom and complete bathroom with shower, it can be rented on request at an additional price.

The last house measures 110 sqm and is a characteristic hay barn with access from a terrace paved in old bricks. A large archway leads into a living room with original cotto floors and enormous stone arch that leads, down three steps, to a hallway under a gallery. To the right of the hall is the open kitchen, equipped with gas range, electric ventilated oven, and counter fitted fridge with small freezer section. To the right is the door to the complete bathroom with shower. Through the hallway and up two steps is a spacious room with double volume: dedicated to the living/dining room and with two doors on the opposing ends that lead outside. The southwest door opens onto a panoramic furnished terrace. Inside the barn, a wrought iron staircase leads to the gallery with double bed and single bed. The floors are done in special cement and resin with quartz fragments in it. The ambience is very modern.

The three houses are elegantly and simply furnished in the proper comfortable Tuscan country style. Cotto floors, wood beamed ceilings and stone and whitewash fit the ambience perfectly. The houses are equipped with central gas heating and gas is payable on consumption during heating season together with firewood. Mandatory maid service is included in the rental price and is furnished three times a week for three hours each time. There is a baby cot and high chair available and there is a resident cook that can prepare meals, but only if you request them at time of booking

At a Glance: 2 Kitchens - 1 kitchen corner - 1 dining room - 2 dining areas - 3 living rooms - sitting room - study - 3 double bedrooms - 1 double bedroom with sofa bed - 1 twin bedded room - 1 single bedroom - 5 bathrooms