THE FACTS ABOUT CASA VECCHIA DI NOZZOLE

Italy

Just a five-minute drive north of Greve in the heart of the Chianti winelands is Casa Vecchia di Nozzole, a country house on the Nozzole estate owned by the Folonari wine family. The house is new on the villa market, an addition to the much grander Villa di Nozzole which operates as an aristocratic B&B and centre for large-scale wine tastings and more intimate cookery courses run by Giovanna Folonari Ruffino. Guests at Casa Vecchia di Nozzole are invited to join in, if they wish. The freshly renovated, stone farmhouse has been completely remodelled and equipped with all the appliances you'd expect, but retains a great deal of character: there's an enormous open fireplace in the downstairs open-plan living/dining room, and terracotta floors and beamed ceilings throughout. Although there are some antiques and the decor is very tasteful, the furniture is more comfortable than grand. The relaxed ambience continues outside with two shady verandahs and private, lawned gardens with views across the estate. The closest village is Greve in Chianti, where you will find pizza restaurants and wineshops around the colonnaded piazza Matteotti. As well as a Saturday morning market and an annual wine fair in September, Greve has a modern shopping mall with a large supermarket, café, deli and unusually convenient parking. The turn-off to the Nozzole estate is at the hamlet of Passo dei Pecorai, where there is a traditional trattoria. SLEEPS Six; there is also a study with a single bed PRICE £1,950-£2,900 per week, including maid service CONTACT ITC Classics (01244 355 5527; www.itcclassics.com) FLY Ryanair (0871 246 0000; www.ryanair.com) to Pisa (100km away)