Apartments in Hamlets

These houses or apartments commonly belong to a "Borgo", what one may call, in English, a hamlet, and are mostly quite old, often medieval villages with a few buildings most often built of natural, exposed stones. A lot of those old hamlets have recently been renovated and transformed to exclusive, luxury residential communities.
In general all the apartments or houses have a separate and private garden and their own terrace.
The swimming pool and tennis-courts are shared properties.
Property management and rental service can be provided in most cases.

Casa in Toscana has many apartments for sale, which belong to historic hamlets of the Chianti area. Please check the following:

Beautiful apartment in condominium with pool, tennis-court in absolute quiet position between Castelnuovo Berardenga and Gaiole in Chianti.



This beautiful apartment with typical Tuscan features such as cotto floor tiles and wooden beams is about 1.054 sq.ft and is situated in a complex between Gaiole in Chianti and Siena. The completely restored apartment has been beautifully divided and consists of a large living-room with an open fireplace, dining area and completely equipped. kitchen area, one double bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a second bathroom and a gallery with 2 beds. The apartment has got an independent entrance and a beautiful private garden with two covered terraces. On the 3,2 acres of condominium land there are a swimming pool, a tennis court, several parking places and a private well.

A farmhouse in Tuscany

The typical Tuscan farmhouse, called a "Colonica", is built with natural stones and is gifted with its own, unique charm. A colonica is usually made up of two floors, with a third in some cases consisting of a small tower or "piccionaia", and most have been generally restored completely by their owners. Casa In Toscana has many of these colonica available - including the one pictured above.

Three steps to buying a property in Tuscany

There are many things involved when buying real estate in Italy, but these three contractual steps are always necessary:

1. The proposta irrevocabile d'acquisto (irrevocable offer subject to contract)

2. The contratto preliminare or compromesso (preliminary contract)

3. The final contract

Visit Casa In Toscana for more details on the process!

Tuscany's Vineyards and Vinotherapy

We are approaching the most celebrated season of the year here in Tuscany- the much anticipated Vendemmia, or grape harvest. The annual grape harvest traditionally begins in late September or early October and draws the participation of most every Tuscan from the physical harvest itself to the endless array of festivals, feasts and local wine celebrations. The grape harvest is the most crucial part of the winemaking process and is begun in accordance with the the ripeness of the grape itself measured by its sugar, acid and tannin levels.

This year is an especially exciting one considering the extraordinary forecasts of the upcoming vintage. According to Paolo Bruni, the president of Fedagri-Confcooperative, an organization associated with 423 canteens and 148,000 winemaker members, producing nearly half of all the wine in Italy, the quality of the grapes harvested this year in Italy is supposed to be of the highest quality over the past ten years. In particular, the Chianti vines this year have been reported to possess a luxuriant vegetation contributing to the grapes’ ideal quality and a harvest five percent greater compared to last year’s. The exceptional quality of this year’s Sangiovese grape has attracted the attention of the wine community. The combination of cool evenings and high day temperatures over the past months in the Chianti region has contributed to the full maturity and superior quality of this year’s grape.

Chianti, the Tuscan area that produces Chianti Classico wine for centuries and is recognized as the best wine growing region internationally, remains Tuscany’s most prided territory. One can sense the ancient traditions and history that fills the Chianti region. First civilized by Etruscans who were very active in the wine harvest, followed by the Romans, the control of the rich Chianti region has historically been battled for between the cities of Florence and Siena. Today, the region’s eternal chestnut and oak forests are blanketed with olive groves and vines, contributing to the global economic importance and influence of the zone. The impressive number of Chianti wineries draw the attention of tourists around the world who come to witness its breathtaking beauty.

Beyond celebrating the taste value of the Chianti’s wines, there is a large movement savoring its aesthetic and therapeutic benefits as well. Wine therapy, also referred as vinotherapy or vinoterapia in Italian, has received much attention in Tuscany. When applied topically, studies have proven extensive benefits. Grape seeds, stems and skins contain high quantities of powerful antioxidants, minerals, pectic, sugars, tannins and vitamins that are fundamental to the skin’s well being. The combination of these elements serve to fortify the skin by reducing inflammation and slowing the skin’s aging process. The substances found in the acids of the wine grape are known to strengthen microcirculation while increasing the resistance of the blood cells and protecting the skin’s elastic and collagen fibers. Additional research shows that wine therapy tones muscles, reduces varicose veins, eases allergies and fights stress and depression. The benefits of wine therapy were already recognized by Cleopatra and the Romans who kept records of their practices. Legend has it that Cleopatra loved being massaged in the wine must.

The production of Tuscan wine therapy products is growing rapidly as an industry. Products are based upon the enrichment of red wine powder, red grape seed extract, crushed grape seeds and pure grape seed oil. The most common products available include powders, masks, soaps, creams extracts and cosmetics.

Today, Tuscany is the home of the wine therapy movement, offering innumerable vinotherapy hotels, spas and vacation packages to those tourists and non who are interested in the ancient yet effective indulgence. Particular wine treatments are offered exclusively during the vintage season including the much-spoken about baths of freshly harvested Sangiovese grapes. In San Sano, a village near Gaiole in Chianti, the vineyard Castellare de’Noveschi added a bathtub to its famous 13th century wine cellar. The vineyard has embraced wine therapy as an addition to the traditional wine tourism industry. Expanding the vineyard experience, Castellare de’Noveschi has added Cabernet soaps, exfoliating Merlot scrubs and Chianti baths to its more traditional offerings of wine tastings, tours and meals.

San Sano in Chianti, the home of the Castellare de’Noveschi vineyard, is an enchanting village located in close distance to Siena and Florence. The village is completely surrounded by beautiful vineyards and olive groves, creating a perfectly calm and serene environment. Offered exclusively by Casa in Toscana, is an elegant apartment available for sale in this picturesque village. The 869,42 sq.ft apartment is composed of two floors and consists of a large living room with a fireplace, a kitchen with a dining area, a study, an office, 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. A further bedroom with bathroom could be easily constructed with the permitting space. The apartment has its own private garden, a shared pool (14 x 7 m) and several parking places. Further information can be obtained through the Casa in Toscana site: http://www.casaintoscana.com/pages/sales_detail.php?lang=en&villaID=130.

Tuscany’s wine harvest culture is truly sensational and enchanting. The harvest’s ancient practices are still felt today and the passion is just as strong as one could have imagined it was during the country’s historical times.

Castello di Lucignano

The remarkable history and breathtaking beauty of the medieval village, Lucignano, leaves its visitors with a sense of fascination and serenity. The village’s extensive history has been revealed through a range of incredible findings including Etruscan artifacts, its Roman wall that continues to function as part of the castle’s ancient wine-cellar and its first written account, dating back to 912.

Along with the destruction of the village’s fortification, Lucignano’s prized Castle was eventually converted into an aristocratic estate, and continues to serve today as a fruitful provider of various agricultural products including extra virgin olive oil, honey and its much celebrated Chianti wines.

The village’s remarkable panoramic views are enjoyed thanks to its historical strategic location. Situated in a zone of immense strategic importance, the village is located in a geographically dominant position between the cities and powerful territories of Siena and Florence near the town hall of Gaiole in Chianti.

The town’s name, “Lucignano” likely derives from its founders, the Roman Licinia family, and the subsequent arrival of Lucio Silla who conquered it in the 1st century BC. The many Etruscan aged archaeological discoveries signal the presence of the village’s age, but we are left with little written documentation dating before the 13th century and are thus left to imagine that the village functioned as a free commune while under partial control of the Episcopal curate of Arezzo.

The most impressive aspect of Lucignano is its breathtakingly beautiful castle, Castello di Lucignano. In an vast effort to restore the magnificence of the destructed castle, the German entrepreneur, Gerd K. Schué and his son Stephan, have completely restored the castle and its respective property. Vines and olive groves that provided the property with its historical characteristic value have been replanted and an immense wine cellar has been constructed. Along with the internal and external renovations of the castle, the estate is proudly considered one of the most beautiful properties in the Tuscan region.

The estate’s newly renovated wine cellar is a much sought attraction for its visitors and offers a magnificent tasting room complete with advanced technological equipment, including computer-controlled fermentation vats to regulate temperatures and to guarantee the maximum extraction of aroma and color components of the grape skins. The castle’s 40 acres of vineyards, composed dominantly by the Sangiovese grape, are planted in the hills outside the castle, surrounded by the mountains of the region.

An equally worthy attraction is the estate’s elegant restaurant, “Il Solissimo.” Established in a restored former barn, the restaurant’s unique atmosphere is characterized by its ancient structures and typical Tuscan menu that naturally changes in accordance to the season.

Within the historical castle, an exclusively restored apartment is now available for sale. The 1.500 sq. ft. apartment is situated within the historical castle and overlooks the surrounding vineyards and olive groves near Brolio in Chianti. The complete and luxuriously furnished apartment is composed of a 50 sq. ft. terrace, living room, kitchen-dining room, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Included is an underground garage and beautiful infinity condominium pool (8 x 16 m) complete with a magnificent view. The property is very well kept and maintained. The apartment is completely equipped with ISDN, SAT-TV, HI-FI, DVD etc, combining the beauty of the castle’s ancient history with the modern comforts of today. Listed at € 549.000,00 by Casa in Toscana, the apartment can be reached via the company’s website, http://www.casaintoscana.com/pages/sales_detail.php?lang=en&villaID=113.

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