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XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food.

Villa in Capannori with fitness centre and sauna

Photo gallery for XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food.

front face at sunset
pool
view
minni and view
the barn

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Gym
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
valgiano, Lucca
  • Place, Villa Grabau
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Walls of Lucca
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Place, Piazza Napoleone
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Airport, Pisa (PSA-Galileo Galilei)
    ‪45 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 5

1 Double Futon and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 5

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 5

1 Double Bed

Room 1

1 Double Bed

Room 2

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bidet · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food.

Farmhouse Villa Lean is a beautiful, private homestead nestled in the hills of Tuscany’s wine country above the ancient walled village of Lucca . The original farmhouse was previously owned by David Lean, the famous film director; who fell in love with the breathtaking views but never started the restoration work. The house was left deserted until 1993 when it was acquired by the Ferrucci family who totally restored and modernised it whilst retaining its character and many authentic features.
The house comprises two separate living areas that sleep up to 10 people and can be rented out for a single large group. The main house sleeps 8 people.. The oldest part of the house, which dates back to the 12th century, adjoins the main house and sleeps 2 people and there is also a sofa bed for another 2 persons..Monica Ferrucci, who is an expert cook offers an extensive menu of superb, affordable Italian and local Tuscan cuisine.


Description :
The house comprises two separate living areas that sleep up to 10 people and can be rented out for a single large group . The main house sleeps 8 people; it has four well-lit bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a large kitchen and a first floor sitting room. The oldest part of the house, which dates back to the 12th century, adjoins the main house and sleeps 2. It has a lounge area, bathroom, spacious kitchen and an original fireplace in the large first floor bedroom. Outside the house is a large pool that is surrounded by sumptuous gardens and enjoys fabulous views across the vineyards and valley below.

food related property:
All the kitchen areas are well appointed with high quality appliances or if you prefer, a barbeque is available for outdoor cooking. If you would rather not cook at all, Monica Ferrucci, who is an expert cook and lives in self contained accommodation at the back of the house, offers an extensive menu of superb, affordable Italian and local Tuscan cuisine. As well as being an excellent cook, Monica also has a wealth of local knowledge that she is always willing to share to ensure you make the most of your visit.


Tuscany lost corner:
During your stay at the Villa, you have the opportunity to do what we call a mountain villages tour.It’s essentially another way of getting off the beaten track! Just like in a safari, we are going to drive around our district to explore small hamlets, villages, historical landmarks, castle ruins and artistic jewels such as the “pievi” that normally get unnoticed by travelers taking “different” roads.

We can also drive through off-road trails to admire the local flora and fauna and visit the breathtaking canyon of ‘Orrido Di Botri’ where it is possible to have the rare opportunity to see the eagle in its natural habitat. You can access the canyon overcoming big rocks partly on foot or by wading through chest high deep pools of crystal water for a couple of hours to complete the whole track. Helmets will be provided at the entrance. It is also possible to admire the “Orrido” from above, hiking on a one hour and half loop trail
If it’s very hot we may end up for a super refreshing swim in the pools of the Lima creek and a enjoy a good ice-cream at the end of the tour.
Lunch breaks included .This tour almost takes the whole day, say from 9,30 am to 6pm.

Please don't hesitate to contact us for low season weekly offers including tours , accommodation and meals.

Central heating is not included in the rental rate .

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Free WiFi
Gym
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
Property Registration Number IT046007C24FE9T4NV

We should mention

All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Capannori

Located in Capannori, this villa is in a rural area and in the mountains. Villa Mansi and Villa Torrigiani are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Pinocchio Park and Parco Avventura Sospeso nel Verde. Lucca Botanical Gardens and Puccini Museum are also worth visiting. Take some time off to enjoy the winery tours in the area, or get some fresh air with adventures like cycling, horse riding and mountain climbing nearby.
Map
valgiano, Lucca

What's nearby

  • Villa Grabau - 5 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Walls of Lucca - 19 min drive - 13.2 km
  • Piazza dell'Anfiteatro - 22 min drive - 14.6 km
  • Guinigi Tower - 22 min drive - 14.6 km
  • Piazza Napoleone - 24 min drive - 15.0 km

Getting around

  • Lucca San Pietro a Vico Station - 12 min drive
  • Pisa (PSA-Galileo Galilei) - 51 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Esselunga - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪puppo appera - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Il Chiocciolo - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Bar Osteria Da Giomo - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Le Colonne Di Matraia - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food. have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is XII century farmhouse on the hills above Lucca with chef. Only local food. located?

Situated in the mountains, this villa is within 3 miles (5 km) of Villa Mansi, Villa Grabau and Villa Reale. Villa Torrigiani and Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 120 out of 127 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 127 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 127 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 127 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 127 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chris H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing location and fantastic hosting

This was a special event made even better by the beautiful house and Monica's great cooking and hosting. Stunning views and beautiful rooms. Monica welcomed us and made sure we had everything we needed, she couldn't have been nicer. We also arranged for her to cook a celebration meal one night which was exceptional, genuine local products, her own cheese and a real flavour of Tuscan cookery. I can't recommend this place and Monica enough.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Colin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay at the farmhouse

We really enjoyed our stay at the farmhouse. From the great indoor and outdoor spaces to the dogs, goats, chickens and cow to the fantastic dinner prepared by Monica and the great tour hosted by Giovanni everything exceeded our expectations.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ethan K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay, hosts are amazing and warm

Fantastic location, wonderful people, home cooked meal was amazing. Relaxing, wonderful furnishings. Beware that the heat is very expensive if you use it! Kitchen is awesome to cook and views are unbelievable. Couldnt reccommend more for a true Tuscany experience. Views are stupendous. Was a highlight of our trip just to play with the dogs and sheep and get a gourmet meal. Easy to go all over the region from here as well. meal on Ne highly
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

LOIS E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful location

Villa Lean is beautiful in every aspect...interior, decor, view of countryside below of olive trees and grapevines. Monica, the host, is wonderful...a world of information and responsive to any inquiries. As a chef, she cooked a fantastic dinner of all local organic products, including her homemade cheeses. We loved staying there and exploring local restaurants, binyardsabout the farmhouse history,
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jill S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dream location!

We booked our stay for my parents 50th Anniversary (5 couples). Monica & her husband are lovely people with a beautiful home! We absolutely loved our stay - the villa and the grounds felt like something out of a movie. Amazing views from all the bedroom windows, and a beautiful table to have dinner al fresco. The pool is very large & was lovely to cool off in. We loved the dogs and the sheep & goats. Monica made us an amazing dinner one night and it was delicious and so fresh! We loved our stay and can’t wait to come back
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Valerie M., Seattle, Washington, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A lovely villa

We had a wonderful time at Monica's place. The view was amazing, the villa charming and having animals on property was fun. Monica cooked for us two nights and the food was delicious and hearty. It was great to have a meal right in our own place. We also took the Medieval Mountain Village tour by Giovanni - it was spectacular and we saw places that we would have never seen on our own. I would highly recommend this villa!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hugh B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magic in the hills overlooking Lucca

Monica is a marvelous host and busy! With her goat herd and cheese making duties how does she find the time to cook a fabulous dinner for us? Fresh ingredients from her garden and wine from her neighbor's vineyard. The view is magnificent though we are miles from town so stock up; before you land. You won't want to leave.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The view is worth it

We really enjoyed our stay here. We stayed over New Years in 2022-23. The home is a restored farmhouse, very quite and clean. We were warm enough with the heating system, and even sat outside in the evenings for supper. The hosts live next door, and were available for any problems that came up. I highly recommend this place.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

Tammy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful villa

This 12th century villa is beautiful-rustic, stunning scenery, wonderful hosts, and even sheep n goats!! Monica is a wonderful cook and Giovanni’s mtn villages tour a definite highlight!! Cons: very intermittent n limited wifi, transportation is difficult espec at night due to location, and sauna that is advertised on web is not currently in use. Overall- highly recommend if dont mind remote location n lots of steps!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Graduation Celebration Vacation

We had an amazing experience at the Villa. The property is rustic and authentic with amazing views and a great pool with cool water. Monica and Giovanni are excellent hosts and were very accommodating to our needs and with recommendations for the area. Monica prepared a wonderful dinner for us one night accompanied with her freshly prepared cheeses and other ingredients from her farm. It was amazing! There were 3 new puppies at the villa that greeted my daughter each morning and that ended up being a highlight for her. She wanted to take them home. We highly recommend this property and hope to return one day.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

ALAN M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The property is beautiful in the hills of Tuscany.

A beauiful view of the valley. All appliances worked well. The outdoor wood-burning oven was great for an evening of home-made pizzas. Downside is no internet in the house. We were told it worked when outdoors - but as our trip was in the winter - outside on the internet wasn't our desire. Monica's cooking and Giovanni's helpful assistance in getting us what we needed made this an unforgettable experience. We'll be back....
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joanna P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Villa

From the moment we arrived at the Villa and met Monica and Giovanni we knew it was going to be a fabulous trip, we had a group of 7 women and Monica made us feel right at home like family, Monica originally gave us a name of a driver to get us to the Villa since we were not going to be driving, and they were amazing, so we thank Monica for that. The Views at the Villa are breathtaking, the pool was fabulous especially after a long flight in. Monica is an amazing chef, highly recommend Monica's dinners, I am still raving about her dinners just be prepared to eat a lot. Monica also makes her own Cheeses and is amazing. Monica's 3 dogs (Olga, Artu, and Lola) and a sheep(Bebe) that roam around the Villa are so cute and funny, we just fell in Love with them. We highly recommend Giovanni's tour up in the mountains to other Hamlets, I think it was my favorite part of the whole trip, beautiful scenery. Monica made us reservations at the restaurant at top of the hill, easy walk from the Villa. Highly Recommend this Beautiful Villa.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything we wanted and more!!

Our family of 8 had a wonderful time at this 12th century Tuscan villa. It was everything we wanted and more. The views were stunning. Our host, Monica, was warm and friendly. She cooked three meals for us that were incredible!! We were able to experience local Tuscan cooking and with each new course we were amazed. Don't miss out on Monica’s cooking and her own cheeses! The pool provided the necessary relief from the heat in July. Floating around and looking up at the blue Tuscan sky will be a memory we won’t soon forget. Giovanni guided us on an all-day tour of the hidden treasures in the mountains. This was one of our favorite experiences. We were able to see and appreciate the history of the area. The views were magnificent and memorable. Monica was also able to provide reservations at local restaurants and wine tastings that we thoroughly enjoyed. The three dogs (Olga, Artu and Lola) and sheep (Bebe) were adorable and friendly, and we quickly got attached to them. We would highly recommend this villa and would love to come back and visit again someday.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique Tuscan experience!

It was a privilege to be able to stay at the beautiful Villa Lean. The stone buildings and the exquisite view of the Tuscan countryside provided the perfect setting for our week at the villa in mid-July. We were a family of 12 - 7 adults and 5 children ages 8 and under. The children were fully engaged by Polli the chicken, the gentle dogs Olga and Minnie and the goats and sheep. The weather was extremely hot and the swimming pool provided much needed cooling off for all of us - the fact that the pool is uniformly 4 feet was a helpful safety feature for the children. Monica and Giovanni were wonderful and attentive hosts. We enjoyed a delicious multi course dinner prepared by Monica. We especially enjoyed her artisan cheeses! The villa has been so beautifully restored with incredible attention to every detail and very well equipped. The Villa Lean was a most delightful Tuscan experience! Grazie mille! Tip: When setting your GPS, put in “Villa Lean” for the best route.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

marilyn j.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our FABULOUS stay at Villa Lean

I cannot begin to tell you how much fun we had during our 2 week stay at Villa Lean. It was everything we thought it would be and more. Monica is the perfect host and made us feel so welcome. The heat was pretty unbearable so she supplied us with more fans. The pool was a great relief which we used daily. We had Monica cook 4 meals for us while we were there and all were wonderful. It was one of our granddaughter’s birthday the day we arrived and she asked if she could do the cake. Simply beautiful! There were 10 people in our group and we are all animal lovers. Polly, the hen, will always have a special place in our hearts, along with the dogs, Olga and Meenie. Giovanni was a wealth of knowledge. Unfortunately, it was too hot for us to hike with him but we will look forward to that the next time we visit. We have so many wonderful memories thanks to Monica and Giovanni. Thank you-Thank you-Thank you!!!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

william c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful location and comfortable old farmhouse

We enjoyed four wonderful days at this beautiful old Italian farmhouse. The rental property consists of two buildings one has one bedroom with its own bathroom, a small sitting area, and a kitchen.. the other building has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and also a Kitchen. Be forewarned, all of the bedrooms, except one are up fairly steep stairs, and can be a problem for older people or those with mobility problems. The bedrooms and bathrooms are spacious with comfortable beds, plenty of good linens, and an abundant supply of very good towels. Kitchens are well stocked with plenty of room to move around. The greatest feature of this property is its location. It is on a hillside in the hills above Lucca. The property looks down upon a vineyard just below and then into the valley of Luca in the distance. It is a spectacular piece of property. One more forewarning: we were there in relatively cold weather, and had to use the heating system. At checkout we were informed that we had to pay extra for the heating, and that the payment had to be in euros. I must admit that we had a bit of sticker shock, and had to do some scrambling to come up with the auto code. I’m out of euros. It would’ve been nice if this information had been provided to us at time of check-in. That inconvenience notwithstanding the entire experience was wonderful, and we would highly recommend this property for anyone visiting the Lucca area.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amber C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our host was simply wonderful! I cannot say enough good things about this experience. This was a delightful gathering of friends in Lucca. I definitely recommend having Monica cook a meal for you one night while you stay- you will not be disappointed. I also recommend buying some of Monica's cheeses to enjoy while you are there- they pair perfectly with local meats, and you cannot get fresher cheese than this. Hospitality and responsiveness was wonderful- and they have many great insights on things to experience in the area. This was truly a wonderful and special visit.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dorrie A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay in Valgiano! Unfortunately it was cut short by a problem with our rental car, but the 4 days we spent there were wonderful. The highlights were the tour of the hillside villages with Giovanni and the meal that Monica served us.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Camilla S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
En praktfull villa i idylliske omgivelser.Monica var veldig behjelpelig før og under oppholdet.Vi bestilte et par måltider av henne, og fikk servert nydelig og variert mat. Anbefales veldig! Takk for oppholdet
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michiel K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Geweldige locatie met veel originele details, authentiek. Ligt prachtig met diverse terrassen en mooi zwembad wat hoger gelegen. Lieve en betrokken gastvrouw die echt fantastisch kookt. Een echte aanrader voor een week met de familie, ook door de privacy van de diverse kamers
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Darin G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location

Monica was the best, to start we wanted her to make us supper the 1st night but I got back to her late and she had already made plans to attend an olive oil festival at a hamlet a few miles from her Villa. She invited us to attend with her and it was the best way to start out our visit, when you watch tv and see Italy with everyone from the town eating together, it was exactly like that an 8 course meal with all the wine you could drink it was amazing. She was available for everything we needed a cab to Florence she hooked us up we needed a restaurant for supper she hooked us up the owner even came out to let us know we we’re eating Monica’s mozzarella from her cow!!!!! She will take care of everything if you need her to and as others have said in reviews we did have her make us a meal and it didn’t disappoint. If we make it back this way I would stay hear again. Thank you Monica
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melaina B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tuscan farm living at it’s best!

The property was breathtaking, the animals were so fun to be around and Monica and Giovanni were the most exceptional hosts. You must have her cook for you, every item of food is from her farm or nearby farms and the food was perfect! We really enjoyed our time here with not only the accommodations but the company. You can truly see how much Monica cares for her beautiful animals. We hope to come again someday!!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Barb K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet, beautiful Tuscany

We LOVED our farmhouse stay! Monica, you are amazing and have made me rethink how I garden and cook! Your meal was our best in all of Italy. We enjoyed getting to know your Bebe and Olga!! Our grand children loved all the sheep, goats and chickens. It was peaceful and postcard beautiful. Location was wonderful and close to all the things we wanted to do. I appreciate your help in finding quality restaurants and especially the cooking class recommendation with Antoinetta.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our villa stay

Our family of six adults had a wonderful time staying at the villa. Monica and Giovanni were very helpful, answering all of our questions and gave great recommendations. Monica arranged for us a wine tour and tasting just a few minutes away. , which was excellent. Giovanni took us on an all day tour of the mountains and mountain villages. He was extremely knowledgeable about them and the local history and culture of these villages. On our last night Monica prepared a four course dinner, which was excellent. This was the perfect way to end our stay there. Lastly as other people mentioned in their reviews, if you use the heat you will pay for it and the time of check out.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sandy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Farm in the hills

Monica’s farm villa is located far above Lucca with amazing views. Loved her animals, especially Baaaba the baby goat that followed her everywhere. Had three wonderful dinners prepared by Monica and took a fun trip with Giovanni into the mountains. Expect castle like steps in the rooms. Was treated like family. Miss both Monica and Giovanni. Thanking them both for an exceptional experience..
Stayed 21 nights in Sep 2024

About the host

Hosted by Monica Ferrucci

Host profile image
my guests can assist at my daily cheese making , and enjoy all my hand made products : extra virgin olive oil, differents kind of cheeses and wool

Why they chose this property

best view ever

What makes this property unique

EAT WELL FEEL GOOD! I will serve hand made pasta make with the eggs of my chikens vegetable and wild herbs soup , in autumn that is the best time to stay here, you can have the fresh press extravirgin olive oil served in many dishes, as well the pasta made with chestnut flower and the fresh ricotta make every day. At walking distance you can have a wine testing in one of the most important and well know vineyard Tenuta di Valgiano

Languages:

English, Italian

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests