Italy Rentals

Tuscany

Gallo Nero - Two Apartments on Wine Estate

Savor Tuscany on a wine and olive producing estate in the heart of Tuscany from two lovely apartments with a view of the sunset over the rolling Tuscan hills. Twenty minutes south of Florence and close to many wonderful hill towns. Sample the Chianti Classico wine from the limited area that produces fragrant Gallo Nero, Black Rooster, Chianti.

Delight in views across the hills of Chianti and enjoy the daily beauty of gorgeous sunsets from these two apartments nestled into the hillside on a wine-producing agriturismo just 20 minutes from Florence.  In front of the apartments is a wide lawn with a fountain, lovely landscaping and a separate gazebo for each apartment for dining al fresco or just appreciating a glass of wine and the sunset. Below the apartments is a parking area and then, down a few steps, a swimming pool with wooden deck for sunbathing. The pool is designed for relaxation and cooling off and is not long enough for swimming laps, nor is it deep enough for diving.

We call this little piece of paradise Gallo Nero, the Black Rooster, because it is one of the limited number of vineyards that produces the prized Gallo Nero Chianti Classico. Gallo Nero is defined by a small area of Chianti that has a particular underlying rock formation on which grow the typical San Giovese grapes that gain a special flavor due to the soil that nourishes them.

The two apartments have just been completed, built in traditional Tuscan style with wooden beams and terracotta floors. They were designed for this purposed so the spaces are generous. There is good lighting throughout. The furniture includes several antiques but for the most part it is new, reproductions of classic Tuscan designs.

The Emerald apartment, done in greens, of course, has a living/dining area with sofa and a kitchenette along one wall. The kitchen appliances include a large refrigerator/freezer, oven, four burner gas stove top, and a dishwasher. All the necessary pots, pans, dishes, and cutlery are also included for your use.

The large bedroom includes a set of convertible twin beds that can be organized as one king, depending on your needs. Each bedroom has an armoire, a chair or two, bureau, bedside tables with lamps.  

Each bedroom has a bathroom with sparkling fixtures and artistic tile work.  The main bathroom has a bathtub and separate shower stall. Each bathroom also has a hotel-style hair dryer .  

Between the two apartments is a bedroom and bath that can be added to one or the other apartments, making two, two bedroom apartments or a one bedroom plus a three bedroom. The "swing" bedroom has its own exterior entrance, it can actually be rented separately.  This bedroom has a king sized bed and bathroom with shower.  

The Ruby apartment, in appropriate colors, has a somewhat larger living/dining room with the kitchenette set into an alcove. The living room has two sofas.  

Ruby also has a private terrace to one side that overlooks a vinyard.

Each apartment has a television with Satellite TV reception for English language news.  

The property and neighborhood have a number of options for exploration. The Etruscan tomb of the Archer tops a nearby prominence. You can walk to the Bibbione castle that is less than half a mile away, you can also stroll along the country lanes to appreciate panoramas and the green countryside. The tiny town of Monteridolfi is about 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) distant, a nice walk to the closest alimentari, grocery store.

The position is near the summit of a western facing hill so it is visited by cooling breezes, but it is also exposed to the afternoon sun, so in case some July and August afternoons get too warm for you, the apartments have air conditioning for which you will pay the electrical cost.  

Through a separate entrance to the property, visitors may come to taste the wine in a brand new "centro degustazione." In the back rooms are the giant stainless steel tanks for the Gallo Nero wine. The property also produces vin santo, grappa, and its own lovely olive oil, all of which guests are invited to sample and purchase if they approve.  

The owners are an accomplished Tuscan cooking team. With advance arrangements, they are available for cooking lessons or for preparing a meal for you. Special meals for larger parties are a possible in the villa's large dining room.  

Each season brings its special joys, May and June are fragrant with honeysuckle and iris that is said to perfume the Gallo Nero wine. In July two ancient pear trees in the field below begin to drop their fruit and are visited at dusk by wild boars. In August and September the vines are heavy with purple grapes that perfume the air. In late September or early October is the vendemmia, the grape harvest. Brisk November brings the olive harvest.

We have visited this property and found:

• Stunning views

• First class accommodations, clean, comfortable

• The owner seems to have thought of everything in laying out and furnishing the apartments and the garden

• The modern layout of the apartments avoids awkward spaces

• We tasted the wine and olive oil and it was delicious

• We arrived the week before Gallo Nero officially opened, so some furniture hadn't yet arrived

• The pool is located on a terrace on the hillside below the parking terrace for the apartments. I like the separation so small children don't easily wander into the pool area. Because of its hillside position, it is a pre-fabricated pool with a wooden deck merging it nicely into the landscape.

• The wine tasting room is near the apartments but has its own, separate parking lot. As a guest, I would look forward to tastings. 

Request these apartments. Phone US 781.275.1055

Guest Feedback

First of all we had a wonderful time at Gallo Nero. Lovely, serene, peaceful.  The apartment is beautiful.  They have thought of everything.  I slept better than I ever have in my life.  And the location was perfect. I would recommend it without hesitation. And we loved San Casciano.  No tourists and very friendly and helpful people.         Heather L.

Gallo Nero Agriturismo in Tuscany

Guest Feedback

Refresh yourself, get some sun and enjoy the view of the rolling hills of Tuscany.

Charming apartments open onto well-lit lawn with fountain.

Two gazebos, one for each apartment, are for al fresco dining and toasting the sunset.

The Ruby apartment has its own private terrace that opens onto the vinyards with the typical sangiovese grapes.

Living room with comfortable sofas and television.

Dining table seats six. 

The kitchen is modern and fully equipped.

Beds can be made up as twins or a single king.

Bathrooms are large and beautifully tiled with an artistic flair.

Entrance of Ruby, the larger apartment with owner's villa above and behind.

The ancient Etruscan tomb of the Archer tops the hill you see here, and is a short stroll.

The swimming pool is below wooden railing and to the right. 

Sample the wine produced on the estate in this spotless winery.