A country townhouse in the heart of the Chianti Classico, framed by stately cypress trees, bushy olive groves, terraced vineyards and a serene setting of mint-coloured sinuous hills. This is the setting that Frédéric Biousse and Guillaume Foucher chose to add to their Domaines des Fontenille collection, already well established in France and Menorca. Once a 16th-century Episcopal complex, the property has been restored with deep reverence for its past. Its ancient walls still cradle a 10th-century Romanesque church, exquisite frescoes, Tuscan cotto floors, and original stone porticoes, seamlessly interwoven with rustic, country-inspired interiors. The twenty rooms and suites are softly bathed in pastel greens, pinks, and blues: contemporary in spirit, yet beautifully in tune with the building’s historic soul. Days are lived at a slow pace: breakfasts are enjoyed over in the peaceful internal courtyard; afternoons melt away with a dip in the secluded pool, hidden among trees; and time is well spent learning to make fresh egg pasta and traditional Tuscan dishes in an intimate cooking class. Then, you remember you’re in one of the best wine regions, so exploring the beautiful surroundings and stopping for tastings at nearby wineries (one of our favourites is Tenuta Antinori nel Chianti Classico) is all part of the rhythm. As the sun dips below the horizon, settle into the garden with an aperitif in hand. At the helm of the kitchen is the talented Chef Niccolò Pini, whose contemporary presentation treasures the traditional flavours of Tuscan cuisine.
Borgo San Felice
If only sound could be woven into words: the gentle chirping of birds at Borgo San Felice is a song that lingers in your mind long after you leave, soothing and almost impossible to describe. This, paired with the ethereal beauty of the borgo, makes a stay here feel more like a dream where time blends into one. Sit in the sunlit Piazza San Felice, and you might wonder whether you’ve stepped onto a film set or back into another century. But this is no imitation; it’s an authentic village, lovingly preserved and reimagined for those seeking a poetic escape from the everyday. Located in the heart of Chianti Classico, the journey begins even before you arrive, driving through rows of immaculately tended vines that yield some of Tuscany’s most celebrated wines. As its name suggests, Borgo San Felice was once a working village. Its neo-Gothic chapel, former school, bakery, and olive press still stand, most now transformed into warm, welcoming rooms, a serene spa, and two exceptional restaurants as part of a careful restoration completed in the late ’90s. The rooms are exquisite, and exactly what you would expect in a classic farmhouse: upholstered headboards in playful blues, greens, and terracottas; draped linens; soft armchairs; and sweeping views either of the vineyards or the charming borgo itself. Catch a sunrise if you can, the sky sometimes blushes lilac, casting the landscape in a magical haze. And of course, this being a wine estate, vino is at its heart. At Borgo San Felice, alongside the prized Sangiovese and Pugnitello grape variety, there’s attention given to Vigorello, a native species born in 1968 that produced the estate’s first ever Super Tuscan wine. Enjoy a glass in the square at sundown, it’s honestly one of the most memorable experiences.
Monteverdi
Monteverdi is located in Castiglioncello del Trinoro, an ancient hilltop village with, alongside the hotel, only ten inhabitants. This fascinating, antique borgo was discovered by Michael Cioffi, who fell in love with the Val d’Orcia and from a lovingly restored five roomed b&b, Monteverdi has become today a larger estate counting 20 rooms and three villas. A fantastic location that overlooks two breathtaking landscapes: on the one side, the silky hills of the Val d’Orcia and Monte Cetona while on the other, scenic views across Monte Amiata, Montepulciano and Montalcino, areas world-renowned for their excellent Nobile and Brunello wines. The property is continuously evolving: in 2023, it welcomed the opening of Zita, an osteria-style restaurant serving Tuscan cuisine. This year, it introduces Oreade, a new fine-dining experience curated by Chef Riccardo Bacciottini. For this new outlet, make sure to book well in advance as there are only four tables, located in this wonderful space integrated in the rocks. There is a bar, an amazing wellness area with two saunas, a swimming pool and an outdoor ice plunge as well as a contemporary art gallery, showcasing wonderful, international works selected by the London-based art curator Sarah McCrory. Although one of our favourite experiences? Cooking class with Giancarla, learning to make fresh-egg pasta, a starter and dessert that we then savoured under the outdoor pergola, overlooking the breathtaking view.
Casa Newton
Casa Newton is strategically located between Montepulciano and Montalcino and just ten minutes from Pienza, so you can imagine the glorious views from your window every morning. That being said, however, the best views are from La Loggia, where stone arches frame the Val d’Orcia hills and an evening aperitif tastes all the better at sundown. Originally built in the 19th century by Gervasio Newton, a relative of Isaac Newton, this historic farmhouse has been thoughtfully transformed by Swiss architect and designer Antonie Bertherat Kioes and her husband Philippe, in collaboration with Italian architect Jacopo Venerosi Pesciolini. The result is an eclectic, contemporary art and design-driven estate. Each of the 11 guest rooms is individually styled, preserving original terracotta floors and wood-beamed ceilings while introducing mid-century vintage furniture, hand-painted touches, and custom fabric-covered walls by Venetian artisan Chiarastella Cattana. Art is a central theme here, where even the gardens, designed by award-winning landscape architect Luciano Giubbilei, resemble impressionist paintings. Following a rosemary and lavender scented path (and spot a few rare flowers along the way), you will reach the pool, encircled by candy-pink parasols. Nearby, Il Cervo Restaurant, helmed by chef Sara Scaramella, is where you can taste local Tuscan flavours enhanced with deep, deep berry-coloured wine. The estate, in fact, houses its own contemporary winery, Fabbrica Pienza. Here, they produce organic wines from 35 hectares of vineyards. A visit is highly recommended not only for the wine but for the striking design that seamlessly blends into the surrounding landscape.