Tuscany Impruneta: Accommodation in Castle

Castle description

Settled in the Chianti hills, only a few minutes from the village of Impruneta, and 14 km from Florence, stands the thirteenth century castle and an ancient rural village surrounded by olive trees, vineyards and an age-old wood in which it is possible to admire all the species of trees and animals that are typical of the Mediterranean bush; and in which Giacomo Puccini, friend of the noble owners, dabbled himself in hunting.
Today an adjacent wing of the castle has been refurbished in the original style of the settlement and divided into apartments for vacation rental.
The four apartments (1 for 6 people, 1 for 4, 1 for 3 and 1 for 2), the double bedroom and the detached cottage retain their warmth and simplicity in the antique country elegance of the furnishings, the terracotta floors and the original wooden beams. All apartments are fully-equipped and have independent central heating, ventilation system and television.
In the yard one can have barbecues and taste the excellent products of the farm: extra virgin olive oil, Chianti wine and vinegar, and honey. In the wood it is possible to go trekking.
Besides all the other external areas of the castle, our guests can wander in the classic Italian garden of the castle.
The village of Impruneta (1.5 km) is only a short walk away and Florence is 14 km away. Siena (65 km), Arezzo (78 km), Pisa (92 km) and Lucca (85 km) are reachable in approximately an hour by car. Nearby, there is also the famous 18-hole Golf Club Ugolino (6 km), a horse-riding school (3 km), a sports centre and a swimming pool (6 km).On request:

• Bicycles can be rented
• Friday afternoons - Shiatsu massage given by a professional masseur
• Available Bed & Breakfast.

Apartments Rose, Ulivo, Casetta

The accommodations are in the farmhouse building close to the castle tower, and can be rented on weekly or daily basis. Each apartment is fitted with independent heating and ventilation system, and TV set.
Apartment Rose:
2 rooms, for 2/4 people. On the upper floor: a living room with a double sofa bed, a fully equipped kitchenette, a double bedroom and a bathroom with shower.
Apartment Ulivo:
3 rooms, for 4/6 people, located over 2 floors. On the ground floor: a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, a large living room with a double sofa bed and a bathroom with shower. On the upper floor: a double bedroom, a single bedroom with an additional bed and a bathroom with shower. Casetta:
Mini apartment for two (30sq metres) with fully equipped kitchen area, bathroom with shower, air conditioning and private garden.
Detached cottage, 100 metres from the Castle, set in olive groves and vineyards, with views to the Castle and the surrounding hills.

Melograno room, Uva and Limoni apartments

Apartment Limoni:
1 room, for 2 people. On the upper floor: a large twin bedroom, a fully equipped cooking area and a bathroom with shower.
Apartment Uva:
2 rooms, for 3 people. On the ground floor: a living room with a double sofa bed, a fully equipped cooking area, a single bedroom and a bathroom with shower.
Double room Melograno:
for 2 people. On the ground floor: a double bedroom and a bathroom with shower.

Activities

With the aim of generating increased understanding of local artistic and rustic traditions, we organise cookery and decoration courses, tastings and visits to the old olive press and cellars of the Castle, as well as concerts, exhibitions, conferences and seminars. We will be pleased to host your wedding in the courtyard, Italian garden, Castle reception rooms and of course in the Castle's private Chapel.

Products

The ancestors of the current proprietors, the Barony of Benci, not only have enriched the villa with important frescoes, but have also turned the export of local produce into a quality practice. During the 1920's, the Bencis exported great shipments of Chianti wine to America, and had offices in the heart of Manhattan.
Today, Baron Benci exports one of the best extra-virgin olive oils of the territory, and has received the honours of the C.O.I. (The International Oil Counsel) as a master of olive oil production. The Castle and its lands are situated near Impruneta, in the heart of Chianti. The farm itself covers an area of 136 acres, of which 36 are cultivated for olive oil with a density of around 5000 trees of typical tuscan variety called: Frantoio, Moraiolo and Leccino. The olives are collected by hand between the 5th of November and the 10th of December and pressed within the following 48 hours.
Our extra virgin olive oil's annual production is around 7000-8000 kgs (circa 11000 bottles of 0.75 L.). The care taken in the picking and in the extraction of the oil, obtained by simple pressing without any further handling keeps the qualities of the flavour intact. With an average acidity level of 0.16, our oil exalts the palate with all the typical traits of Tuscan extra virgin olive oil: an aroma of fruity green olives that is reminiscent of the poignant taste of artichokes and a pleasantly sharp and slightly spicy flavour.Other products include Chianti wine and Chianti wine, vinegar, honey and Vinsanto (typical fine dessert wine). We give our guests the opportunity of following directly the processing stages of its products through guided tours to the harvesting and picking (grapes and olives) and to the production areas (the cellars and the old stone oil press). Guests can also be able to take part in guided tasting activities and purchase directly the farm's products.