Casale Olivastra is a beautifully restored farmhouse perched on the hillside of an estate within the Val D’Orcia Nature Reserve in southern Tuscany. With mesmerising views of the valley’s sprawling vineyards, nearby hilltop villages and alleyways of cypress trees and olive groves, this house offers the best of rural Tuscan living.
Stylish yet rustic, Casale Olivastra maintains much of its original character and charm. Wooden beamed ceilings, tiled floors and local materials run throughout the home, including in the large kitchen and in the tastefully decorated living room. Featuring an authentic open fireplace, comfy sofas and armchairs, the living room is the perfect place to snuggle up in the evenings. Each of the four bedrooms enjoys a similarly cosy and traditionally Tuscan feel and all benefit from their own lovely en-suite bathroom.
French doors lead outside from the kitchen where there is a dining table under a vine-covered pergola, ideal for enjoying al-fresco meals as you soak up the enchanting scenery. Century-old oak and chestnut trees offer some shade from the glorious sunshine while lavender, rosemary and sage fill the air with delicious summer scents. Admire the sensational views across the rolling countryside and hilltop villages as you sit in a deckchair, relax on a sun lounger or strike out in the saltwater pool.
One of the villages that can be seen in the distance is Colle Sant’Angelo. It has a few restaurants, wine bars and shops and can be reached by car in 30 minutes. The picturesque walled town of Montalcino is also just a 25-minute drive away and is famous for producing Brunello di Montalcino red wine.
Castiglione D’Orcia is only 20 minutes away in the car and the historic Tentennano fortress here is well worth a visit. The village of Vivo D’Orcia, also 20 minutes away, sits just outside the estate and here you can find a good selection of shops, cafes and a trattoria serving all the best local produce.
Around an hour’s drive from the house are Montepulciano and Siena. Glorify in the Montepulciano's rare beauty and sample its famous Vino Noble red wine. Spend the day in Siena discovering the must-see sites and then climb the Torre del Mangia to get the most spectacular 360-degree views of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site centre.
