Description My Chianti Heart: Gaiole in Chianti

Surrounded by vineyards tumbling down hillsides and towering trees, this stone villa sits in the heart of the Chianti Hills. The beautiful village of Lecchi with its ancient castle is just a six-minute drive away if you’re not too busy discovering the family-run wineries and vineyards on your doorstep.

This villa was designed for entertaining, inside and out. In the lush garden, you’ll find seating for a huge group, shaded by a pergola. Perhaps unwind in the hot tub after a session in the gym. There’s also a sauna for post-workout relaxation. If swimming laps is more your style, there’s a shared swimming pool at the bottom of the estate, lined with loungers.

Inside, the grand lounge is set around an old hearth, just like you’d expect in a traditional old Tuscan farmhouse. Wooden ceilings and terracotta floors are a nod to the past, while the pops of vibrant colour throughout keep things lively and modern. Especially in the dining room, where lime and bottle-green combine at the banquet-sized table. In the spacious bedrooms, wrought-iron and four-poster bedframes add a touch of old-world charm too.

Home truths:
*The final kilometre of the road up to this home is unpaved but even.There is private parking and having a car is recommended.
*Since the photographs were taken, the four-poster bed has been changed
*Two guests can be accommodated on the double sofa bed in the dressing room of one of the bedrooms and a further two on the sofa bed on the mezzanine
*The swimming pool is open from 9am to 8pm April to October, weather permitting. The swimming pool is shared with other residents on the estate
*One well-behaved dog of up to 30kg is welcome to join you for free