Instead of rehashing 'rustic charm', the owners have applied their professional expertise and know-how from decades of first-class, family travel to embue Tramonti with local character, but blended with contemporary international design flair. As experienced and demanding travellers themselves, they brought to the project years of experience in the art of a Tuscan villa vacation, having rented various properties in many locations over several decades.

The discerning owners are thoughtful and respectful of the place they have chosen to make their Tuscan home and the particular community of staff, gardeners, local entrepreneurs and talented craftsmen who have made their unique vision come to life. The local team that runs Tramonti day-to-day has looked after the property for years and takes tremendous pride in the work they do. Without doubt you will be looked after and fussed over during your stay, lavished with the special kind of hospitality for which Italians are justifiably famous.

A perfect position

Ultimately, the owners chose Tramonti for its position. The house rises on a promontory to the south-west of Castellina and offers a broad panorama of the Val d'Elsa. The profiles of Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni are easily picked out as is the broad silhouette of Monte Amiata, some 100km to the south. The view is unblemished, dynamic and unmistakably Chianti. The grounds reflect an attention to detail, quality and style that is the hallmark of today's entrepreneurial class of travellers. The entire property is both aesthetically appealing in a contemporary, fresh way and functionally ideal.

They brilliantly chose mid-20th century furniture to complement the open clean lines of the house, to create a fusion of ancient and contemporary. Here you find all new everything: central air-conditioning and heat for year-round comfort, all en-suite accommodation in generously proportioned bedrooms with sitting areas and desks with large well-finished bathrooms, the latest electronics everywhere: flatscreen TVs, surround sound, comprehensive WiFi, etc. Plus there are two swimming pools, one particularly well-adapted to children, as well as football, ping pong and billiards.

We know food and drink are a key allure of a Tuscan vacation and Tramonti delivers on this as well. The owners are rehabilitating their vines and keep improving their own bottled Chianti. A limited production of extra virgin olive oil is available as the harvest permits.

The kitchen is modern, bright and well equipped and laid out. Both a traditional forno and a modern gas barbecue are available for your own cooking pleasure, or catered by the staff, which includes a cook who uses the freshest ingredients to serve up lovely local cuisine.

There is an outdoor covered dining loggia as well as a dining room and a living-room styled pergola for lounging and generally enjoying life. Tramonti is an idyll. Come and enjoy!

Grounds

• Approach road of approximately two kilometres leads to circular drive at the entrance to the main villa and guesthouse, two independent structures set about 20 yards apart
• Manicured, sprinklered lawn surrounds the house, edged with beds of lavender and rosemary; a large almond tree dominates the entrance lawn
• Stone-paved patio extends south/southwest of the villa with an expansive view of Siena, San Gimignano and Monteriggioni. Spacious outdoor living room with cushioned L- shape couch and chairs seats 14. Covered outdoor dining room for 12-14 with pizza oven; includes concealed kitchenette (dishwasher, sink), gas BBQ, and sound system
• Heated vanishing edge pool (18x6m; 1.2-2m in depth, retractable insulated cover, stairs, diving board), illuminated for night-time swimming. Child-friendly 'shelf' running length of pool
• Furnished with chaise longue and umbrellas as well as round dining table for six. Outdoor hot/cold shower plus changing room with hot/cold shower and bathroom
• Stone cascade into freeform vanishing edge guest house pool (8x8m, 1-2m depth) with stone apron and furnished with chaise longue

Ground floor

• Entrance hall from driveway with stairs to upper level. Guest bath and coat closets. Open-plan design with doors leading to lawn, living rooms and entertainment room
• Living room seating 17 in two seating areas with windows and double doors opening to lawn, garden and outdoor living spaces
• Study with desk
• Dining room for 14 with double doors to garden
• Entertainment room with L-shaped couch and side chairs accommodating 14+. Wall-mounted TV with Sky, sound system, iPod dock. Dining/Gaming table. Doors open to garden
• Techno-gym (spinning bike, treadmill, elliptical, free weights) opens to garden. Adjacent full bathroom (shower stall)
• Large modern kitchen with marble counters, fireplace, eat-in bar for two, rustic table for six to eight and adjacent pantry. Opens directly to outdoor patio, living room and dining room. Comfortably accommodates six cooks

First floor

• Upstairs lounge at top of stairs with built-in upholstered alcoves for reading and visiting
• Castellina: master bedroom (king) with five windows facing south and southwest. Spacious sitting area with fireplace, upholstered armchairs, desk and chair and TV. Oversize bath (glass-enclosed walk-in shower and soaking tub) with double vanities. West-facing window. Dressing room
• Greve: master bedroom (king) with three windows facing south and southeast. Spacious sitting area with fireplace, upholstered armchair and footrest, desk with chair, TV and closet. Large bathroom (glass-enclosed shower stall)
• Monteriggioni: master bedroom (king) with three windows facing east. Upholstered armchairs set before fireplace, desk with chair and TV. Ensuite bath
• Panzano: double bedroom (king) reached off vestibule (shared with adjacent double bedroom) with desk and chair and two windows to the north and skylight. Ensuite bath (tub with wall-mounted and hand-held shower, partition) with towel warmer
• Radda: double bedroom (king/twins) with north-facing window includes desk with chair. Private bathroom (tub with wall-mounted and hand-held shower, partition)
• Guests' laundry room (washing machine, dryer)

Guesthouse

• Entrance from front patio into open-plan living-dining room. Seven windows facing south, west and north ring the perimeter. Sitting area for eight with fireplace and TV with satellite. Dining table for six as well as game table for four. Billiards; corner kitchen; pool table; guest bath; stairs to lower level
• Stairs from entrance level to hallway. Double doors open directly to small patio immediately adjacent to pool
• Firenze: double bedroom (king/twins) with desk and chair and TV. Window plus double doors and iron railing opening directly over pool. Walk-in closet and ensuite bath (tub with wall-mounted and hand-held shower, partition)
• Siena: double bedroom (king/twins) with double doors opening to iron railing overlooking woodland view to the north; TV and ensuite bath (stall shower)

Points of Interest

• Castellina in Chianti: five minutes by car
• Monteriggioni, Radda in Chianti: 15 minutes
• Florence-Siena 'raccordo': 20 minutes
• Panzano, Poggibonsi: 25 minutes
• Greve, Siena: 30 minutes
• San Gimignano: 40-45 minutes
• Florence (centre and airport): 50-55 minutes

Notes

Welcome dinner is included, compliments of the owner. Breakfast service and housekeeping included six days per week, approximately eight hours per day. Twice weekly linen change. Sunday and additional services available on request. Local cook available at an additional charge; services of professional chef priced separately. Complimentary internet service is included, both WiFi and DSL, although there may not be consistent coverage throughout the property. Guesthouse pool is immediately adjacent to the lower level doors. There are window screens on all windows and the house has a comprehensive security system. Air-conditioning in all the bedrooms and the gym in the main villa. Guest house has AC in the living area/main floor, as well as the bedrooms. The guesthouse will be closed when only the main house is rented. Guests will only have access to the billiard table when renting the guest house with the main house. Owner prefers rentals on a Saturday-Saturday basis, but is flexible. Arrival time is 4-5pm; departure time is 10am.