Ca' delle Rondini

An Ancient Piedmontese Perch Revisited

Originally a hilltop farmhouse, this villa for rent in Italy has an old stone heart extended by wood, concrete and stucco-clad contemporary annexes and elevated terraces. Made panoramic by big view windows framing the valleys and vineyards stretching out around it, this 200-year-old Piedmontese perch occupies a lush, flower-dotted native garden by Madrid-based landscape designer Fernando Martos, in a land abundant with UNESCO sites.

Its central structure a bicentennial farmhouse discovered in near-ruin decades ago, this hilltop home shows that, like the region’s prestigious wines, some homes get better with time. The owners fell for the rural outpost back in 2003, before UNESCO dubbed the rich, Piedmont region one of the world’s most notable world heritage areas. Back then, the humble farmstead stood alone atop a rural plot with eye-catching views of the surrounding Langhe hills and even the Alps in the distance. Today, the ever-evolving modern villa features an infinity-edge pool extending out onto one of its manicured slopes, decks across two levels, and mature designer gardens where flowers, herbs and evergreen, southern European estate shrubbery meet.

To showcase the region’s gastronomical notoriety, the villa’s owners offer an in-home meal and wine service with a classic seven-course meal of local flavors and a full wine pairing. They also offer guests a wine ordering service by Bevino!, whose 1,000-bottle cellar has local, regional or more widespread Italian vintages for preselection and delivery before your arrival.

AROUND

Italy’s Piedmont region is a World Heritage site seeker’s nirvana. With six UNESCO-designated areas, there’s plenty to see and do, and most of the sites are connected to the region’s celebrated wines: the Langa di Barolo, the hills of Barbaresco, the territory of Canelli, and the Nizza Monferrato. The Piedmont’s two other World Heritage areas combine wine and architecture, Alba’s Grinzane Cavour Castle occupies a town famed for its vineyards and white truffles, and the Monferrato di Infernot area features ancient cellars carved into local rock. About 30 minutes’ drive from the home, the spa town and health resort of Acqui Terme has stood as a sought-out destination for rejuvenation since Roman times. Its waters are mineral-rich and warm, and the town is also known for its sparkling Dolcetto and Brachetto red wines.

Lesser known than other Italian regions, the Piedmont feels remote and authentically rural, and offers outdoor recreation opportunities in its relatively unspoiled hills, forests, and mountains. The Piedmont is referred to as Europe’s larder for its rice and grain cultivation, and regional farmstands overflow with the produce and fruits of local farmers. The Alps rise from the Piedmont’s fertile valleys—the region’s name literally means "foot of the mountain"—and the area is a winter sports destination with a delightfully smaller crowd. 

An hour from the house is Piedmont’s capital city, Turin, a mid-sized city of Baroque architecture, sprawling palazzi, and the spire-topped Mole Antonellana. Gastronomy is at the region’s forefront, and restaurants, trattoria and family-run mountain lodges offer a wide array of cuisine, from hearty country fare to the dazzlingly refined flavors of fine dining establishments.

LOCATION

Cossano Belbo, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy. Nearest airport: Turin (1 hour), Genoa (1½ hours)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: May to October