Forget the crowds and predictable holidays. Imagine a gentle breeze, a glass of top-quality Chianti and a view of the endless Tuscan hills. Welcome to the Fontanelle estate, where time stands still and where luxury is not just a word, but a way of life.
Prepare for culinary excesses and spa pampering that will awaken all your senses. Read on, but be warned: you'll want to pack your designer bags right away!
Your new favorite corner under the Tuscan sun
If you thought you knew Tuscany because you visited Florence once and ate pizza on the side of the road, think again. In the heart of the Chianti Classico region, in the picturesque Castelnuovo Berardenga, lies the Fontanelle estate. It is not just a hotel, it is a veritable little Tuscan empire, run by the Bolfo family and embodying the essence of Italy's la dolce vite. The estate unites two completely different, but equally stunning hotels and a top-notch wine cellar under one elegant brand roof. VallepicciolaHere, stress is strictly prohibited, and the only difficult decision you have to make is whether you will drink red or white today.
Hotel Le Fontanelle: Timeless elegance for romantic souls
For those with a slightly more classic taste who like to sigh at the sight of ancient stone walls, here is Hotel Le Fontanelle five-star hotel. Imagine a former 13th-century country hamlet, carefully renovated and transformed into a true oasis of peace in 2006. There are 36 rooms and suites in five different categories, furnished with beautiful walnut details, natural fabrics and burgundy accents that mimic the hues of Chianti. If you want complete privacy (and let's face it, who doesn't?), you can even stay in Villas Il Mandorlo, a stunning historic annex, located just 400 meters from the main hotel and hiding 11 intimate rooms.
After a busy day exploring the surroundings, simply retreat to The Health Club, a 240 square meter wellness center. Its indoor heated pool with panoramic windows offers a view straight out onto the vineyards. And when hunger strikes? Restaurant La Colonna In the summer, she will pamper you on the Belvedere terrace under the starry sky. A romance that even Shakespeare himself would envy!
The Club House: A modern paradise where children are forbidden
But if you're more in the mood for a modern escape and the thought of a baby crying by the pool makes your hair stand on end, there's The Club House your ultimate destination. This five-star luxury hotel, which opened in spring 2022 after twelve years of renovation, is exclusively for adults over 14. Hallelujah! Built in a former 18th-century farmhouse, with just 15 rooms, it provides that true, exclusive intimacy. Among them, three spectacular Master Suites stand out – Lapina, Boscobruno and Migliorè.
Here, minimalist design, stone, wood and traditional Tuscan materials are perfectly intertwined. Its crown jewel is The Wellness Sanctuary, an impressive holistic spa spanning 400 square metres. Equipped with a Turkish bath, sauna, indoor pool, hydrotherapy and even a tepidarium with salt mist. Perfect for detoxing before you indulge again in the evening.
Michelin-starred culinary heaven
Now for the most important part: the food. Because honestly, we all go to Italy primarily for the calories, which miraculously don't count there. The estate's culinary empire is run by an executive Chef Francesco Ferrettini, a visionary with enviable experience who creates real magic.
The absolute pinnacle of hedonism is a restaurant The Visibilio at The Club House, a Michelin-starred hotel that seats exactly 12 guests. They offer a “blind” tasting menu that changes seasonally and reads like a true theatrical performance of flavors. Prepare for bold cuisine, innovative low-pressure cooking techniques, and ingredients like fermented delicacies and organic eggs from local farms. If you’re looking for a slightly more relaxed, yet still decadent experience, Osteria Il Tuscanico, which serves traditional Tuscan dishes with a modern twist and even vegan options.
More than just a vacation, it's a lifestyle
But what about when you're not in the spa or pampering your taste buds? The estate offers experiences that will leave your Instagram followers speechless. From truffle hunting, horseback riding at sunset, to rides on a retro Vespa or a real Ferrari, and hot air ballooning over the hills.
And of course, a visit wouldn't be complete without a jump to Vallepicciola wine cellars with 107 hectares of vineyards. Its stunning building with organic architecture, extending over three underground floors, blends harmoniously with nature. There you can endlessly taste the fruits of sustainable farming in the heart of Chianti Classico.
So, my dears, if you are looking for the perfect blend of history, cutting-edge design, hedonistic cuisine and that indescribable feeling of endless freedom, you know where to travel. Life is too short for bad wine and mediocre hotels!
