A spacious garden hugged by cypresses and other densely green trees, views of rolling hills and lush Tuscan landscapes all around, a private pool, a terracotta roof, a pretty and traditional Tuscan kitchen, charming bedrooms finished with detail and care, high exposed-beam ceilings, a nice little covered area for dining al fresco, lots of rooms with direct exits out onto the terrace... all of this and more is what you can expect from the gorgeous and wonderfully and typically Tuscan Villa La Fragola (meaning Strawberry Villa) just 500m outside the village of Chianacce, 19km (12 miles) from Montepulciano. Positioned in an especially scenic and peaceful part of the world that is ideal for those looking to get away from it all and relax on their vacation, this gem allows you to get a real taste of the charming and slow-paced life of rural Tuscany while also being ideally located just 5km from the highway and allowing easy access to many of the region’s most famous destinations and attractions. Those who choose Villa La Fragola, therefore, will get the best of both worlds – the restful escape into the dreamy Tuscan countryside and plenty of opportunities to play the serious tourist and tick some key sights off of your bucket list. In addition to Montepulciano being just 19km (12 miles) away, other nearby cities include Cortona 20km (12 miles) away, Arezzo 45km (28 miles) away, Montalcino 52km (32 miles) away, and Perugia 62km (39 miles) away.
5 accommodations at Rosa dei Venti
Property Description
Villa “Rosa dei Venti" is located in Cortona, where wine and olive-growing can be traced back to Etruscan ages. The farm's most ancient building is the Villa which may accommodate about 20 people. This building goes back to the 18th century, period in which it belonged to an ancient noble family from Cortona.
Cortona's counts used the Villa as a summer residence whereas the surrounding farm could supply them with wheat, oil and wine for the whole year.
As we know, in ancient times all noble families' properties were inherited by male offspring, whereas daughters could only get married or enter a convent.
Cortona's seigneurs decided that all their estates in the Cortona countryside were to be divided among their three daughters, whereas the palaces in Cortona, Siena and Florence were to be given to their sons.
Later on, in the early 1900's, the whole estate was bought by the Micheli family, and more in particular by great-grandfather Angiolo and great-grandmother Felice who gave birth to four sons in ten years time. That gave them some relief, since their sons could help them manage the whole estate.
In the course of time the whole estate was perfectly looked after so as is today by great-grandchildren Barbara and Stefano.
The “Rosa dei Venti" estate spreads over 25 hectares in the municipal district of Cortona. Its lands enjoys a favourable location, are well exposed to the sunlight and are suitable for the cultivation of olive trees, grapevines, wheat, sunflowers and melons. Two farmhouses are located within the estate: Villa “Rosa dei venti" and the “Vecchia Fattoria". Villa “Rosa dei Venti" is steeped in nature and beautifully sired; the swimming pool is located westwards where in the hot summer nights it is possible to enjoy a wonderful sunset. The Villa consists of three apartments called Maestrale (northwesterly wind), Scirocco (southeasterly wind) and Grecale (northeasterly wind). Libeccio (southwesterly wind) and Aliseo ( wind blowing from a subtropical anticyclone toward the Equatorial regions) are two separate cottages located in the park surrounding the Villa.
The “Vecchia Fattoria" is located on the top of one of the three hills forming the hamlet of Creti, where some members of the Micheli Family still live. Here you may find farm tools and a small chicken, rabbit and goose farm. The “Vecchia Fattoria" is surrounded by a vineyard (1 hectare) which may yield enough wine to satisfy both the Micheli family's and the estate guests' needs. Olive trees stand in the background both in the park of Villa Rosa dei Venti and in the Vecchia Fattoria and their oil and wine production can satisfy both the Micheli family's and the estate guests' needs.
The Villa is surrounded by a typical rural environment full of landscape expression. The cottage from the 18th century which has been recently restored on the basis of the original architectural features. All around the Villa there lies a large garden full of cypresses, olive trees and other typical trees of our land.
Three lovely apartments and two cottages were created within the Villa Rosa dei Venti all of them are comfortably furnished and suitable for all kinds of customers.
On the ground floor of the main house guests will find the “Reception". This was originally a spinning mill, where the young women of the farming families wove hemp and linen. Towels and bedclothes were woven with hemp, whereas table clothes, towels “for special occasions" and bales for flour were woven with linen. Both the posts of the fireplace and the wood leaning on them are original. Moreover, a wonderful arch paved with bricks dividing the spinning mill into two parts, the one where the loom was located and the other one where the young women embroidered bedclothes, table linen and towels, was brought to light.
At guests' disposal:
A large common dining room with kitchen and fireplace available on request and to pay extra on the spot.
Cooking class available on request to pay on the spot.
Baby bed available free of charge
Wi-Fi internet connection available euro 5/week
Distances:
Foiano della Chiana at 5 km with all kind of shops. Cortona at 10 km, Montepulicano at 24.
Camucia at 9 km with train station, bus stop at 2 km.
Swimming Pool
Swimming pool 7x15 depth 1-2.4 open fro 1 of May to 30 of September
Location Creti, Tuscany, Italy
Places near the property(Distances as the crow flies)
- Airports
- Firenze Peretola (Flr), 122.8 Km
Attractions
Villa Rosa dei Venti, is located in the heart of the Valdichiana in an interesting natural landscape framed by some places rich in history like the Etruscan town of Cortona, the castle of Montecchio Vesponi and the old medieval villages of Castiglion Fiorentino and Lucignano.
Rosa dei Venti products:
Rosa dei Venti - Table wine Rosso Sangiovese
Alcoholic content: 12,5 degrees. Colour: Rich ruby-red Territory: Municipal district of Cortona Vines:: Sangiovese Wine-making: Traditional wine-making with prolonged maceration Flavour: Warm, structured, tasty, sweet tannin, palatable Gastronomy: Excellent wine for roast meat, game, grilled meat and cheese.
Serve at a temperature of 18 degrees.
Rosa dei Venti - White table wine Chardonnay Alcoholic content: 13 degrees. Colour: Straw-yellow Territory: Municipal district of Cortona Vines: Pure Chardonnay Wine-making: White wine with fermentation at a controlled temperature Flavour: Dry, fresh, full-bodied Perfume: Fruity, strong, persistent Gastronomy: Ideal for first courses with fish and in general with cheeses.
Serve at a temperature of 9-11 degrees.
Not only wine.
Villa “Rosa dei Venti is well-known for its production of extra-virgin olive oil. As the typical natural backdrop of the Valdichiana requires, the orderly rows of olive trees, the vineyards, the cornfields and the fields of sunflowers are placed side by side so as to create a beautiful view. There are approximately 300 plants in the following range: Frantoio, Leccino, Moraiolo and Pendolino.
Hand-picked olives are put into crates and taken to the oil mill where they are pressed within 48 hours to avoid oxidation and to preserve the organoleptic properties and peculiarities connected to taste and olfaction.
The extra-virgin olive oil of Villa “Rosa dei Venti has a golden colour verging on green, fruity taste and strong flavours. Available in 0,50 l 0,75 l bottles. As for wine, oil is produced in little quantities only for the use of the holiday farm guests.
Cooking class
Learn the basic Italian cooking techniques to prepare 4 Italian dinners dishes. You will make Anti pasti's including Crostini's & Bruschetta. Also Minestra di pane and Pasta the authentic way with typical Tuscan fillings and delicious sauces.
In addition, you will learn to make “Coniglio in umido alla toscana or Coniglio, pollo and anatra “ in our wood-burning oven or Tagliata with green pepper sauce and baked vegetables and much, much, more. Dessert will include one of the Tuscan pastry specialities.
The Italian cookery course is conducted by Barbara and her mother Ornella who will teach you to cook 4 splendid Italian dishes in an informal environment where you will learn the passion of the Italian kitchen and have fun doing at the same time.
Guest Reviews for Rosa dei Venti
Grecale
These apartments are located in a beautiful setting. They are clean and well appointed. What really made our stay was the hospitality of Barbara. She went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and comfortable.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Libeccio
Goede voorziening, jammer dat in de omgeving zo weinig te doen is.
[English translation courtesy of Easy Reserve] Good property, it is a pity that there is so little to do in the area.
Maestrale
We absolutely LOVED our stay! Barbara and Stefano go above and beyond to ensure that each guest feels special. They pay great attention to detail, and do everything from offering a cooking class on-site to making day trip suggestions and dinner reservations. They really make you feel like you are part of their family (and their mother is just delightful). The property is absolutely beautiful and has easy highway access. We would highly recommend Villa Rosa dei Venti and we hope to return next year!
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Grecale
Villa Rosa dei Venti is wonderfull! I am very happy for choosing it! The family Micheli is very friendly and nice! We had a great time there! All the property is beautiful and very clean! We just can do good comentaries about it,absolutly nothing to complain about! The cook lesson that I had with Bárbara and Ornella was amazing! The villa is in a great location, and is very easy to go to many cities and Tuscany and also Umbria. Definily is a perfect villa to spend wonderfull vacations in Italia. I strongly recomend it!
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Scirocco
We can't stress how wonderful a place the Rosa Dei Venti is. Not to mention the amazing family that works there. Barbara and Stefano bent over backwards to accomodate our every need. Their property is so much better than any picture could ever show.
We will be back!! I plan to post pictures whenever I have a chance to get them downloaded.Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Maestrale
Un endroit charmant et les hôtes d'une très grande gentillesse.
Si nous retournons en Toscane un jour ce sera à la Rosa dei venti!!!
[English translation courtesy of Easy Reserve] A charming place and the hosts are very kind. If we return to Tuscany one day, it will be to Rosa dei Venti!
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Scirocco
We stayed in Scirocco, a lovely two bedroomed apartment, very well laid out clean and all the essentials you need. Barbara and Stefano are excellent hosts, very welcoming and cannot do enough to make your holiday a pleasant stay. Rosa dei Venti is beautiful, lovely suroundings, well kept gardens and swimming pool. The pizza'a that Barabara's mother makes are to die for and we loved Asso the dog who would come to see us each day and loved to play with the children around the pool. Would definately consider visitng again in the future a peaceful and relaxing holiday in a quiet area of Cortona.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Maestrale
6 of us had a wonderful week here. The apartment was spacious and clean, the area was beautiful - only 30min drive to Cortona. Our hosts were very welcoming and helpful and we thoroughly enjoyed our cooking class.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Scirocco
This is a lovely property in the Tuscan countryside close to the town of Cortona. We were 2 couples and had plenty of room to relax and cook meals in the villa. The 2 bedrooms were almost identical and the beds were very comfortable. The owners are very kind and accommodating. I would highly recommend a stay at this villa.
Ruth M - Fredericton, NB CanadaWould you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Scirocco
June 2009. This is one of the most beautiful, well-maintained and well run properties we have ever stayed in. My wife and I have traveled Italy several times and this was our favorite trip to date.
We would highly recommend it.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Aliseo Cottage
My family stayed in 3 of the properties at Rosa dei Venti and all were wonderful. All the properties were clean and everything was working properly. All the windows have screens on them which is a major plus! All the appliances are up-to-date and working. Barbara and Stefano are fantastic hosts. The property is beautiful. I highly recommend this property.
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Aliseo Cottage
Rosa dei Venti (Alisep Cottage) was absolutely gorgeous, so tastefully decorated and immaculately clean. It was everything the description stated and more. The view from the terrace was breathtaking. Stefano and Barbara were extremely warm, helpful and hospitable. We especially enjoyed the cooking class and dining with the Micheli family and the other guests. It was the perfect ending to a perfect week. I truly hope we will be able to return some day and I would definitely recommend this villa to my friends and family.
T. King - West Boylston, MassachusettsWould you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
Scirocco
The villa was everything we hoped for and more! We defitinitely would stay there again. Concerning the owners: The entire family was like a family to us. They made great suggestions and helped with all of our traveling questions. We not only experienced the countryside but the warmth of the people thru the Micheli family as well. The cooking class was fabulous and the food was served to the whole Micheli family and other guests for a real special night!
Would you recommend this property to a friend? Yes
