Le Porciglia

Glorious Hilltop Getaway

Cypress trees and olives. Speckled stones, hand-chinked beams, seductive arches and terracotta tiles. Three hundred sixty-degree views of patchwork green hillsides, and leafy arbors galore. This emblematic Tuscan villa is at once a celebration of the stately, vaulted and voluminous, and an easygoing ode to modern slow living and unexaggerated elegance.

Postcard-perfect on the outside and a designer darling within, the family-friendly getaway tops a verdant Tuscan hilltop and has been featured in Elle Décor and Maison Côté Sud. An uncontrived, livable space with Mediterranean flair and Tuscan vibrance offsetting its magnificent vaulted ceilings and arching doorways, the property is a revamped farm turned family estate imbued with old world elegance. A harmonious mix of bedroom styles sees rooms ranging from ornate, crown-canopied havens to simpler, Scandi-inspired bunks for the kids, plus an independent pool-house suite for two. Soaking tubs and patterned tiling give baths a sleek spa quality. And unfussy, modern furnishings keep the generous common area lounge-worthy, dressed up by sculptural art accents and a pair of chandeliers reimagined in cleaner, more contemporary lines. Shaded porticos, sun-speckled open terraces and an infinity edge pool spread across the classic Tuscan landscape—a tranquil hilltop of manicured lawns and flowering beds, glinting olive trees, idyllic, vine-tangled arbors and luxuriously leafy shade trees.

The main house sleeps eight guests. On the ground floor, there is a large sitting room with fireplace opening onto terrace with herb garden, a vaulted kitchen with dining area, cloakroom, laundry and walk-in wardrobe. On the first floor, there is a master ensuite bedroom (bathtub and separate shower), second ensuite bedroom (bathtub and double shower), fireplace and terrace, double bedroom, bedroom with two sets of bunk beds, and bathroom with Jacuzzi bath and separate shower. The Pool Guest House, sleeping two guests, has a large open-plan room with sitting area, double bed and ensuite bathroom (shower only), plus a kitchen/dining area. The Extra Suite, sleeping two guests, has a sitting room, kitchen, and double bedroom with ensuite bathroom.

Located four kilometers outside the traditional Tuscan village of Casole d’Elsa, Le Porciglia has a herb and flower garden, a generous, infinity-edged pool lined with sun loungers, and views extending over vineyards, cultivated hillsides and deep, truffle-hiding Tuscan woods.

Around

A classic regional hill town, Casole d’Elsa stands out for its terracotta-toned stonework and bricks, its two churches—one with a tall bell tower marking the hilltop, and an art center that hosts workshops and artisanal instruction. The tiny community of a few thousand residents offers family-run food spots, from pizzerias to a gelato shop to wine-focused cafes, and is distinguished by several art galleries and narrow, geranium-lined streets. Traditional restaurants in area towns make the property a great base for gastronomical tourism, and a two-star Michelin dining room is also located nearby. The seaside is an hour and a half by car, through dozens of vineyards, tasting rooms and picturesque villages. The walled, medieval town of San Gimignano, with its many crenellated towers of stone and its 12th-century Duomo is only 30 kilometers away, as is the ancient Etruscan enclave of Volterra, with its fresco-covered Palazzo dei Priori and its gilded cathedral. 

Siena’s central Piazza del Campo, renowned as one of Europe’s greatest medieval centers, is also a short drive from the estate, with bigger city charms—restaurants, tasting rooms, markets and boutique shopping—within 30 kilometers. The Chianti wine region encompasses the estate, home of Italy's celebrated Sangiovese grape. Tasting rooms, vineyard visits and wine and food tours of this notable area provide a great way to explore the fertile region. For a birds’ eye view of the ancient Chianti winegrowing hills, head to the walled town of Monteriggioni, surrounded by medieval fortifications and sturdy watchtowers, where the dominating castle walls offer an ideal view perch.

Location

Casole d'Elsa, Tuscany, Italy. Nearest airport: Florence (65km)

Best time to visit

April to October