Il Patrignone

If you are ever looking for a base in Tuscany before or after a Hedonistic Hiking walking holiday in Italy then we might have just the place for you. Friends of ours Simon and Verity run a glorious Tuscan agriturismo right in the heart of the Chianti hills, halfway between Siena and Florence. The working farm is totally carbon neutral, has a wonderful vegetable garden which Verity looks after and, each year, they harvest and produce their own delicious organic extra-virgin olive oil, which we use on our tours and at home in Tuscany. 

All together there are 15 double bedrooms, and these are split between 1 large farmhouse which has 7 bedrooms, and five smaller one or two bedroom self-catering apartments. In the months either side of high summer they tend to attract couples in the smaller apartments or larger groups of adult friends, whilst in July and August more families stay enjoying the swimming pool and extensive gardens. The different accommodations are available for bookings from the beginning of April to the end of October. Prices start from €135 per night for the smallest apartment.

Simon and Verity are warm and generous hosts and they have two children and a lots of family pets so staying at Il Patrignone feels exactly like spending time with old friends. Although both born and raised in the UK they are now totally immersed in the Italian life and language and cannot imagine ever leaving their Tuscan home.

Simon's mother is Italian and bought the farm back in 1985 when it was no more than a collection of abandoned ruins. With great vision, patience and lots of hard work she restored each of the buildings whilst maintaing the true character of the original structures. The rooms have terracotta tiled floors and ceilings, exposed wooden beams and many pieces of authentic furniture.

Simon stocks organic wine from his neighbour’s farm for their old-fashioned honesty bar, with guests being given their own bottles to re-fill as many times as they like during their stay. Once a week Verity cooks a Tuscan Banquet for everyone in the communal dining room, which still houses the old olive press.  She uses the very best local ingredients sourced from the garden or the weekly market in Poggibonsi and makes traditional Tuscan dishes, often with an innovative twist. 

You will definitely need to hire a car if you plan to stay to make the most of the Chianti countryside, not least because there are nearly 40 restaurants within a 15 mile radius of the farm, as well as many of the great wine villages such as Radda-in-Chianti, Greve, Panzano and Castellina to visit. Simon and Verity are full of ideas on how to make the most of the area and can offer all sorts of tips and recommendations.

Pisa and Florence are the nearest airports to Il Patrignone with good flights to European destinations, and Rome would be the nearest airport for long-haul arrivals. Usually they have a minimum stay of 4 nights. 

There is a very comprehensive website with full details at www.patrignone.com and they can be contacted by phone (+39 331 733 8442) or email (bookings@patrignone.com). For anyone planning a few days in Tuscany, or wanting to organise a family reunion or celebration in the heart of Chianti, then Il Patrignone could be exactly what you are looking for.