5 super wine resorts and hotels in Italy for your next vacation

This text was published over5 years ago. November is a great time to visit the Italian wine country: one harvest (grapes) is coming to an end while another one (olives) is in full swing. Autumn weather, as well as rich seasonal menus in local restaurants, are just a few reasons to head to the countryside, covered with vineyards, in the coming weeks. There are many beautiful wine resorts and hotels in Italy, but here are five of them (including one in Sicily, which is worth considering in the spring) that offer something special, besides exquisite wines.

CONTACT FERRAGAMO COMPANY

Staying at Il Borro Relais & Chateaux is like finding yourself in a village where the mayor has impeccable taste in interior design, art, and food. This is because the organizer of Il Borro, located52 kilometers from Florence, has long been Ferruccio Ferragamo, chairman of the world-renowned fashion brand named after his father. (Another influential member of the Ferragamo family is his son Salvatore, who is the CEO of Il Borro.) The estate, formerly owned by the Savoy royal family of Italy, stretches over700 hectares of beautiful Tuscan countryside and offers various accommodation options - villas in a medieval village; villas, including historical properties owned by an Italian duke; and farmhouses (which are additional offerings of Relais & Chateaux). Ferragamo replanted vineyards in1996; today the winery produces red wines, white, rosé - even grappa and Vin Santo. There are many things to do at Il Borro: there is a private art museum (Galleria Vino e Arte), a boutique and artisan workshops, as well as opportunities for horseback riding, Ferrari test drives, truffle hunting, and cooking classes. Il Borro offers special holiday packages for Christmas and New Year. For those staying at Villa Il Borro, there is an option for private dinners (and lunch on Christmas day) prepared by the resort's chef.

Restored Wine Village

Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, a restored village located 64 kilometers southwest of Florence, has a long and rich history that dates back to the Middle Ages and is connected to powerful Tuscan families. In this idyllic Tuscan landscape, there are numerous accommodation options - the five-star hotel Il Castelfalfi and the four-star La Tabaccaia, as well as apartments and villas for rent. If you wish to make your stay permanent, and it’s quite evident, there are villas available for purchase, including both ready-to-move-in homes and properties that require restoration. Castelfalfi produces six wine brands, including Chianti and Chianti Riserva DOCG, from vineyards that grow Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, among other varieties. The 1,100-hectare estate also produces olive oil from over 10,000 olive trees on its grounds.

Modern Art and Wine

Art lovers must visit Castello di Ama, which, according to Wine Spectator, is "one of the best wineries in Chianti Classico," not only for its highly acclaimed wines but also for the modern artworks by leading artists such as Michelangelo Pistoletto, Anish Kapoor, and Hiroshi Sugimoto that can be found throughout the estate. The artistic project and winery are led by Lorenza Sebasti and winemaker Marco Pallanti, and their village is called Località Ama, located about 27 kilometers north of Siena. Ama offers an exceptionally cozy stay in the heart of wine country at the 18th-century Villa Ricucci, just a short walk from the winery, where the family chef can prepare lunch and dinner at Il Restoro, a restaurant located in the nearby Villa Pianigiani. For more information: [email protected]

LUXURIOUS HOUSING IN THE TUSCAN HILLS

Since the 12th century, Castello Del Nero has had only three owners, including the noble Del Nero family, from whom the estate got its name. This was followed by the Torrigiani family, who owned extensive land inTuscany, and recently by American businessman Robert Trotta, who opened it in 2006 as a luxury hotel after extensive restoration of the historic property (he collaborated with the Italian Commission for Artistic Affairs). Located about 33 kilometers from Florence in Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Castello features 50 rooms and suites (the Marquess Anna suite with its frescoes is impressive), a luxurious spa with a variety of treatments, and the Michelin-starred restaurant La Torre. The famous 12th-century wine cellars, where tastings are held, are known for their extensive collection of fine wines from around the world, including many renowned brands fromTuscany. Castello Del Nero produces two wines in limited quantities - Pieve Del Nero and Il Levriero, which are not sold in stores but can be purchased at the restaurant and hotel.

MARINE WINE RESORT

Capofaro Locanda & Malvasia Relais & Châteaux on the Aeolian Islands archipelago, in Salina (located off the coast of Sicily), boasts a particularly impressive location with magnificent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the islands of Panarea and Stromboli in the distance. Owned by the noble Tasca family, known for their Tasca d'Almerita estates throughout Sicily, this resort cultivates vineyards that produce grapes for Malvasia (both dry and sweet). The resort's cuisine draws inspiration from the chefs of the Sicilian nobility, who were hired in the 1800s for their mastery of French cooking methods and island culinary traditions. In addition to wine tastings and cooking classes, during your stay at Capofaro, you can arrange a boat trip to other islands in the archipelago. (The resort is open from mid-April to early October.) Get the best Forbes articles delivered to your email with the latest news from experts around the world.