Tuscany’s Villa Ardore Pairs Luxury Living With Farmhouse Charm
16.12.2023 - 14:38
/ matadornetwork.com
What started over 500 years ago as a lookout post on the top of a tall hill is now Villa Ardore, a luxury rental villa in the heart of Chiantishire, the Chianti wine region of Tuscany.
As you might expect when renovating a medieval structure, converting a building from old to new leads to some surprises. Villa Ardore’s owners, Christian Scali and Stephen Lewis, teamed up with premier Florentine architect Massimo Pieratelli to adapt the property’s ancient charms for modern dwellers.
“We wanted to create a space true to its original roots as a farmhouse without sacrificing luxury,” Scali noted when I toured the property.
Within two years of the purchasing date, Villa Ardore opened its doors in the summer of 2023. After a flight delay and an airport reroute, I arrived at the villa on a balmy October afternoon. The property manager, Francesco, met me out front with a jovial grin as he took my luggage in one hand and served me a glass of prosecco with the other. A masseuse waited for me by the pool, and so kicked off my four-day retreat at Villa Ardore.
Photo: Villa Ardore
Villa Ardore has eight bedroom suites and an optional ninth, which makes it perfect for a wedding party or family and friends getaway.
Upon your first tour of the house, you’ll notice that each room is decorated with a unique display of art and moveables. There’s a tasteful combination of antique furniture next to the works of local painters such as Fabiola Quezada who moved to Italy almost 30 years ago from Mexico.
One bedroom suite has wooden flooring imported from an Indian school. If you look close enough, you can see the children’s etchings on the boards. Another fine touch: the bathrooms are a kaleidoscope of rich marble all sourced from the local ground.
Photo: Villa Ardore
When you arrive in a new destination, your first inclination is to explore — to get out there. After arriving at Villa Ardore, the property calls your name for a restful return as you fill your days with adventures. When you do return, you’ll find a space that’s large enough to be comfortable but that never loses the feeling of intimacy being in the heart of the Chianti region.
One nice way to relax on the property is to sip an aperitivo by the fire pit — compliments to Francesco for building a fire during my stay that would inspire envy in any Boy Scout. You can also watch the sunset in the villa’s heated infinity pool or explore the surrounding vineyards. For a real treat, unwind in the immersive Roman sauna that combines a mixture of scents, sights, and sounds for a sensory-heightened experience.
One look at the sauna and you might consider asking Christian and Stephen if they’ll consider a long-term residency. But all of this grandeur is not without