Casale Olivastra

About this property

Casale Olivastra is a beautifully restored farmhouse perched on the hillside of an estate within the Val D’Orcia Nature Reserve in southern Tuscany. With mesmerising views of the valley’s sprawling vineyards, nearby hilltop villages and alleyways of cypress trees and olive groves, this house offers the best of rural Tuscan living.  

Stylish yet rustic, Casale Olivastra maintains much of its original character and charm. Wooden beamed ceilings, tiled floors and local materials run throughout the home, including in the large kitchen and in the tastefully decorated living room. Featuring an authentic open fireplace, comfy sofas and armchairs, the living room is the perfect place to snuggle up in the evenings. Each of the four bedrooms enjoys a similarly cosy and traditionally Tuscan feel and all benefit from their own lovely en-suite bathroom. 

French doors lead outside from the kitchen where there is a dining table under a vine-covered pergola, ideal for enjoying al-fresco meals as you soak up the enchanting scenery. Century-old oak and chestnut trees offer some shade from the glorious sunshine while lavender, rosemary and sage fill the air with delicious summer scents. Admire the sensational views across the rolling countryside and hilltop villages as you sit in a deckchair, relax on a sun lounger or strike out in the saltwater pool.

One of the villages that can be seen in the distance is Colle Sant’Angelo. It has a few restaurants, wine bars and shops and can be reached by car in 30 minutes.

The picturesque walled town of Montalcino is also just a 25-minute drive away and is famous for producing Brunello di Montalcino red wine. 

Castiglione D’Orcia is only 20 minutes away in the car and the historic Tentennano fortress here is well worth a visit. The village of Vivo D’Orcia, also 20 minutes away, sits just outside the estate and here you can find a good selection of shops, cafes and a trattoria serving all the best local produce. 

Around an hour’s drive from the house are Montepulciano and Siena. Glorify in the Montepulciano's rare beauty and sample its famous Vino Noble red wine. Spend the day in Siena discovering the must-see sites and then climb the Torre del Mangia to get the most spectacular 360-degree views of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site centre.

Casale Olivastra sits 400m above sea level in Val D’Orcia, an area in southern Tuscany with so much outstanding natural beauty that it has been awarded unesco World Heritage Site status. Its rolling hillsides, rows of vineyards, medieval castles and hilltop villages are what Tuscany is all about and are said to have inspired many Renaissance painters. 

Now a protected nature reserve, the valley is rich in wildlife and you may be able to spot deer, wild boar and foxes in the vicinity of the house. Going for walks or cycling in the surrounding area will reveal a wealth of different flora and fauna, while the region is also known for its delicious truffles and chestnuts.

Follow the unpaved track leading to and from the house and there are a couple of restaurants and a supermarket within a 15-minute drive. The typical Tuscan towns of Colle Sant’Angelo and Montalcino can both be reached by car in 30 minutes. Boasting an imposing watchtower, Colle Sant’Angelo is a medieval hamlet with a few good shops and restaurants. 

Montalcino is a walled town well-known for its mighty 14th century fortress, ancient architecture and Brunello di Montalcino red wine, which can be sampled in one of the town’s wine bars. To learn more about the celebrated wine, head to the Brunello Museum or visit the Santi or Altesino vineyards.

Other charming villages nearby include Castiglione D’Orcia, which is only a 20-minute drive away and features the impressive Tentennano fortress. Vivo D’Orcia is also worth a visit, as is the tiny village of Pienza. Known as the ‘Ideal City’, Pienza was transformed from a humble settlement into the image of the Renaissance. Cattedrale dell’Assunta and Piccolomini Palace are just some of the beautiful buildings within this historic village, which can be reached in 40 minutes. 

The hot springs at Bagno Vignoni are also not to be missed. This Roman village’s main square is submerged in thermal water, which is said to be healing and restorative, while there are also smaller pools away from the centre. 

Montepulciano is only an hour away and is one of the prettiest places to visit in Tuscany. Oozing character and atmosphere, the hilltop town should be at the top of a wine lover's bucket list as it is famous for producing Vino Noble red wine.

Just over an hour’s drive from the house is the fascinating city of Siena. It’s a great place to wander around, with many attractions including the Palazzo Pubblico and the Duomo di Siena. For the best views of the city, climb the many stairs to the top of the Torre del Mangia before heading back down to sip on a well-deserved aperitivo in the Piazza de Campo. It’s rich cultural and artistic heritage as well as its beauty have earned this wonderful city unesco World Heritage Site status

Accommodation

Villa Interior
Ground Floor
- Open-plan kitchen/dining room with oven, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, toaster, kettle, blender, Nespresso coffee machine, dining table and chairs and doors leading to the garden
- Living room with sofas, armchairs and TV
- Master bedroom with double bed, en-suite bathroom with a bathtub and hand-held shower head and doors (via three steps) leading to the garden
- Laundry room

First Floor
- Second living area with sofas, armchairs and fireplace
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite bathroom with a bathtub and hand-held shower head
- 2 x twin bedrooms (can be made into doubles) with en-suite bathrooms with showers

Outside Grounds
- Saltwater swimming pool (4m x 15m, max depth: 1.4m), fenced with internal staircase. Open approximately mid-May – end-September
- Poolside deck with deckchairs and sun-loungers
- Outdoor shower
- Vine covered pergola with al-fresco dining table and chairs
- Second shaded pergola
- Grassy lawns with oak trees, lavender, roses, rosemary and sage
- Parking

Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning (in bedrooms only)
- Satellite TV
- Washing machine
- Iron and ironing board
- Hairdryer