Montalcino and Castello Romitorio | Podere Santa Pia, holiday home in Tuscany

Val d`Orcia - Valley in the province of Siena

Val d`Orcia is a valley stretching south of Siena, along the Orcia river - hence the name. With its gorgeous landscape made of gentle hills covered with olive groves, vineyards and forests, Val d`Orcia is the ideal destination for those who want to relax hiking in the "Parco Naturale, Artistico e Culturale della Val d`Orcia" (Natural, Artistic and Cultural Park of Val d`Orcia), which UNESCO declared World Human Heritage in 2004.
Val d`Orcia is also synonym with art and culture: the area is scattered with many Medieval hamlets and towns rich in history and interesting monuments, such as Pienza and Montalcino, just to mention the most famous ones.
Those who prefer healthy holidays can visit the spas in Bagno Vignoni and Bagni San Filippo. And at the end of the day, a dinner with Val d`Orcia specialities, such as "pici" (a particular type of fresh pasta), pecorino cheese and Brunello di Montalcino, is a must.

Val d`Orcia is a vast valley in the province of Siena, situated in southern Tuscany, between Valdichiana, Crete senesi and Mount Amiata. Its name comes from the river that flows through it, the Orcia river, a tributary of the Ombrone river, the most important waterway in southern Tuscany. This charming valley is divided into the municipalities of Castiglione d`Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani and San Quirico d`Orcia.

Tuscany | The Val d'Orcia

Brunello di Montalcino made its appearance in the middle of the 19 C, prepared by Clement Santi from a selection of Sangiovese Grosso grapes, the larger-berried clone of the Sangiovese variety. In Sienna in 1870, the first bottles of vintages 1863 and 1865 were exhibited as a superior ageing wine. Although the first great official vintage of Brunello di Montalcino dates back to 1888, until the mid-60s it was not well-known outside of its area of production. It began to be famous during the following ten years and became one of the most highly-rated Italian high quality wines. Over the years Brunello di Montalcino has gradually acquired greater fragrance, a more velvety flavour, a greater harmony and a delicately and intense bouquet. Today this dry wine is one of the best Italian reds. It's a strong, structured and tannic wine and it has got a very long life.
The Biondi-Santi family remained the only producer of Brunello until after World War II and the estate only released the wine on rare occasions in the greatest vintages. Between 1888 and 1945, only four vintage declarations qualified. As recently as 1960, less than a dozen estates bottled Brunello di Montalcino but today there are 220 growers and over 150 bottlers (up from 100 in the late 1980s). The Consorzio of Brunello producers, incorporating virtually all of the winemaking estates, was established in 1967, just after Italian authorities declared Brunello one of the country's first DOC classified wines in 1966. This group plays a vital role in helping establish and administer production codes (by a decree passed in 2001, it actually controls production protocols for the zone down to the most basic details) as well as leading in the marketing and promotion of Brunello abroad. Unlike the consorzio in the neighboring Chianti Classico region, the group in Montalcino enjoys almost unanimous participation among the region's producers and has been quite effective in helping develop Brunello's reputation as a unique "brand."
The "second wine" of the zone is Rosso di Montalcino and this generally sells for a modest price considering its high quality. One of the DOCG regulations which is strictly enforced entails "de-classification" of at least 30% of the production each vintage from Brunello, with its longer aging requirements, to earlier maturing Rosso, which is a DOC that must age for only a year prior to release. Because of the mandatory "de-classification", Rossos from a great house are often spectacular in a great vintage, and they can be extremely good in lesser years (when the house makes little if any Brunello, and uses its best grapes for Rosso production).

Wine in Tuscany | Brunello di Montalcino

Roses in the Vineyard

In the Montalcino area, you'll frequently see roses planted along the edge of vineyards. Traditionally they've served as an early warning system to protect the grapevines — the equivalent of a miner's canary.
Roses and grapevines are both susceptible to a fungus called powdery mildew. In fact, roses are more sensitive than grapevines.
Sulfur won't cure powdery mildew, but it can prevent it. So, if a grapegrower noticed that one day his roses had powdery mildew, he knew it was immediately time to spray sulfur on his grapes to prevent them from getting the same disease.
Roses also warn of other diseases and growing problems before they affect the grapevines, and they serve as a habitat for some beneficial insects that eat other undesirable insects.

And they're beautiful.

Tuscany is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Podere Santa Pia is an excellent base for visiting all parts of southern Tuscany. A day out in Perugia and Assisi, Florence can easily be accomplished by either car or train, and you are well placed for visits to Siena, Massa Marritima, the tuff area in the south with pitigliano, Sorana and Sovana. The coast with some of the most beautiful beaches is less than an hour's drive away. Podere Santa Pia is an enchanting Tuscan farmhouse, nestled in the vineyards and olive groves of the rolling Maremma hills. This privileged location offers a spectacular vista over the charming medieval town of Cinigiano and the entire Ombrone Valley. It is the perfect place for your relaxing holiday with your friends and family. The property consists of 4 large bedrooms furnished in a classic Tuscan style and 2 bathroom with shower, a big full-equipment kitchen with a fireplace and a big living room and dining room. With its original kitchen and the wood burning pizza oven, Podere Santa Pia offers an upbeat atmosphere. The farmhouse has been renovated and provided with all modern comforts, with an eye to preserve the typical and charming elements of these rural lodgings. The interior is just as authentic as the villas facade with the original terracotta floors and high ceilings that guarantee cool temperatures. And the kitchen, furnished for pleasant meals with traditional Tuscan dishes (bread soup or "ribollita", tomato soup, "fettunta", Florentine-style steak, stewed wild boar, cinta senese cured meat, and other Tuscan specialities). The front Podere Santa Pia has a beautiful terracotta terrace, furnished with a dining table ideal for al fresco meals. Sitting in the garden, one can enjoy our dawns and dusks, with their jubilee of colours ranging from dark yellow to pink, orange and red. In this scenario, it is often possible to observe the flight of pheasants, falcons and buzzards, great tits, chaffinches and sparrows. The impressive garden (9000 square mt.) allows you to enjoy a relaxing holiday and is perfect for taking time out and lounging about while sipping on a glass of local wines, Montecucco DOC and Brunello DOC. This is an enchanting place far from noise, ideal to regenerate body and mind, where one has the opportunity enjoy pleasant walks or rides on mountain bike. The summer breeze that caresses Podere Santa Pia guarantees "cool" holidays even in the hottest weather. Tuscan farmhouses \| Podere Santa Pia



Monte Oliveto Maggiore abbey	Abbey of Sant 'Antimo	Montalcino

Banfi, Castello di Poggio alle Mura, view from Podere Santa Pia	Castello Colle Massari, view from Podere Santa Pia	Castel Porrona, a charming medieval village dating back to the 11th century, between Cinigiano and Castiglioncello Bandini and Podere Santa Pia