This past September I spent one month in Tuscany. Whether you have been before or not, choosing a place to stay can be daunting.
I wanted to stay somewhere unique and new to me so I researched the area. There are so many wonderful villas in Tuscany; one more beautiful than the other. I excitedly reached out to several.
Simon and Verity, owners of Podere Patrignone responded within a few hours. After an initial email exchange, we set up a Skype call. Within seconds of the call, I knew immediately I was going to love the villa and the owners.
During that Skype call, Verity made me feel like a good friend. We discussed the villa, my visit, and what experiences I could have during my stay.
I was thrilled about my upcoming adventure.
The Property
When you travel to Tuscany, renting a car is a must. There is no other way to see its true beauty.
Those classic photos you see in magazines and online are completely accurate. Actually, scenery is even more beautiful in person.
The green rolling hills, cypress trees standing thin and tall, and warm smells of olives and grapes bombard the senses and I highly recommend driving with the windows down.
I arrived a little late to Patrignone and after parking my car and getting out, I laid eyes on a gorgeous outside banquet table under white linen panels, outside lights, candles and a table filled with traditional Tuscan food.
Verity came over and welcomed me with warm hugs and a beautiful smile. It was like coming home to friends.
What makes any visit to a new place stand out is the experience you have with the people who own and run the facility.
Every single person from owners to staff exuded passion and joy for Patrignone.
Before I was shown my villa, I was invited to enjoy an amazing traditional Tuscan meal under the stars with some of the other guests at the villa.
I sat down at a banquet table filled with homemade pasta, fresh meats and cheeses, local wine and olive oil and fresh backed bread covered the table.
Everything was perfectly cooked and delicious. What a way to welcome our first night!
Fresh, simple ingredients that are and locally sourced are key to making Tuscan food so wonderful.
Patrignone produces it’s own organic olive oil and it’s sharp, glorious taste made this meal so wonderful.
After our bellies were filled, I was shown my villa. As I walked in the “feel” of the villa was immediate. Villas in Tuscany are filled with tradition, history, culture, and a welcome, homey aura.
Smells of warm delicious meals, baked goods, and ancient culture met me and I couldn’t help but wonder about the people who had lived here so many years ago.
A home is a home because of what has happened in it. And this one has seen some amazing things over the years. I’m told that it’s quite possible the villa was built BEFORE the 14th century.
Tradition mixed with needed modern amenities are lovingly supplied in each of the villas that Patrignone offers, everything is as it should be.
Verity, owner and partner to Simon, left beautifully baked homemade bread, slices of gorgeous organic meats, their own organic olive oil, coffee, milk, and bottled water for me to enjoy the next day – another thoughtful touch that was warmly welcomed.
I settled in to my cozy apartment and slept deeply, something I rarely do. In the morning I woke to the sounds of birds chirping, and the glorious smell of fresh coffee. Yes, very much like a scene in a movie, however, it was real!
I was eager to see my surroundings so I prepared some coffee of my own and headed outside.
Situated in the hills of Chianti, the property is surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, and acres of trees.
Stretched out for miles was the most gorgeous landscape. Patrignone is what Tuscan dreams are made of.
I went back into my villa and prepared a tray with the fresh meats, bread, and jams that Verity left for me and sat outside on the veranda outside of the villa to take it all in.
The scenery was quite literally breathtaking. With it came a warm breeze, which brought in hints of cypress, grapes, olives, and Rosemary.
Rosemary grows everywhere in Tuscany and most people don’t realize that the hedges they pass are often made of Rosemary. The sent is intoxicating.
Things To Do
Patrignone is the perfect home base. Literally a stone’s throw from some of the world’s best treasures like Renaissance art, spectacular churches, museums and ancient history, boredom is never an issue unless you consciously chose to be so.
If you’re looking for off the beaten track things to do Castello Di Brolio is a must. The 12th century hilltop castle, owned by the Ricasoli family, is completely intact, and has views of the Siena walls.
It even has a wine cellar that you can visit. (Appointments are a must!)
If wine is your thing then you’ll be in the right place. You can see miles and miles of vineyards right from your villa at Patrignone.
Head in any direction and you’ll find any number to visit and enjoy.
Pull in and ask for a wine tour and tasting. You’ll never be turned away and it’s the perfect way to see any vineyard.
Bigger more tourist vineyards do require you to sign up and pay ahead of time but there is never a lack of smaller vineyards to pull into and take a tour.
Other activities to get up to are horse back riding, hiking, truffle hunting, cooking classes (on site and off); there are endless things to do in this area.
I signed up for the cooking class that Verity offers at Patrignone. I’d heard it was not to be missed!
I joined a few of the other guests and together we set up tables to prepare the meal on.
Tuscan food is simple but full of flavor. Organic food is part of the landscape of Tuscany and was around before it was a “trending thing”.
We started with fresh pasta. Simply made with semolina flour, water, and salt.
Verity explained that pasta is designed to take on the taste of foods and sauces served with it.
We mixed our dough, formed round balls and rolled them out. Taking turns, we passed them through a hand cranked pasta machine that thinned the pasta.
After they were the perfect thickness (or thinness) we hand cut the thinned sheets into strips and placed them to dry on flat trays.
Homemade bread came next. Again we used a very simple recipe. Flour, yeast, and warm water was kneaded and before we rolled it all into balls I added Rosemary to mine while others added grapes, olives, salt, or just left theirs plain. We placed them in bowls and covered them to settle and rise a little.
The whole group moved into the traditional Italian kitchen to watch Verity make a wonderful sauce made with ground pork, Rosemary, salt, cream, and fresh local, Parmesan cheese.
When that was set to simmer for a bit, we returned to the tables to make the last of our meal.
As traditional as any one can be, we made homemade Tiramisu. Again, it was the simplest recipe ever!
While Verity and her staff gathered the pasta to prepare it, the rest of us were put to task setting the table.
There’s something about a traditional Tuscan table that’s like no other. I don’t know if it’s the way the table is set but seeing it brings me the warm fuzzies and makes me think of ancient times when family dinners were where the family gathered to share their hopes, dreams and daily life.
Once each place was set, we added pitchers of water both fizzy and still, baskets of our still warm homemade bread, fresh olive oil, balsamic vinegar (yes locally made) and several glass carafes of table wine from the local Chianti region.
Candles were lit and Italian music was turned on. I had to pinch myself!
Platters of pasta, sauces, fresh cut cheeses, and meats came streaming out of the kitchen and were placed down the center of the large, long banquet table.
With moans and groans of anticipation, we all sat and Simon (owner and other half to Verity) made a toast. After cheers and the traditional Boun Appetito, we all dug in.
We ate and drank till we were bursting.
Verity and Simon are the ultimate hosts and insisted that we sit and enjoy dessert wine with our Tiramisu while they set about clearing what was left of the dinner.
The food, company, and atmosphere were a little piece of heaven. And for a few hours we were all family.
As the night came to a close, one by one people headed off to their individual villas and rooms.
I can’t remember experiencing a more perfect evening and I felt blessed by it all.
Conclusion
Tuscany if filled with wonderful things to see, eat, and places to stay. But what makes the difference in any experience are the people that are involved in making any occasion a special one.
Patrignone and everyone who has anything to do with its existence is the PERFECT place for any event or vacation.
It’s hard not to feel like family when visiting Patrignone and Verity and Simon go out of their way to make their guests feel special.
The special touches and attention to detail that are what make the difference and I can’t recommend Podere Patrignone enough to couples, families, retreats, or weddings.
It’s the ideal choice and is everything someone dreaming of visiting and touring Tuscany could ever hope for when looking for a flawless experience.
For more information or to book a vacation with Podere Patrignone visit their website or email them at:
Podere Patrignone
Castellina in Chianti
+39 331 733 8442
Email them directly from their website
