Tuscany, Siena, Siena, Italy

A 14th-century rural estate with a historic olive mill, 19 rooms, a panoramic swimming pool and 51 hectares in the heart of Chianti REF. CNT362 In the heart of Chianti Classico, where the Tuscan hills form one of the world’s most recognisable landscapes, Podere La Macina has its roots in the 14th century — when this site was already an oil mill, a centre for harvesting and processing, and a hub of rural life. The oil millstone is still there, preserved within the complex, as a silent testament to a continuity that the centuries have not interrupted. The complex comprises several buildings covering a total area of approximately 1,080 square metres. The main building, spread over three levels, comprises a large farmhouse and five self-contained apartments — some with direct access to the garden, others overlooking the charming glass-enclosed inner courtyard, ideal for use as a communal lounge, yoga space or private gym. The renovation carried out in the 1990s meticulously preserved the characteristic features of Tuscan architecture: exposed wooden beams, stone walls and brick vaults. Each room has an en-suite bathroom — a feature that makes the complex immediately suitable for use as a high-end accommodation facility. Adjacent to the main building, the former barn, measuring approximately 270 square metres, was completely refurbished in 2008 in a contemporary style and now houses three bedrooms, three bathrooms, two living rooms and underfloor heating: two distinct architectural styles, yet the same high standard of quality. The landscape surrounding the estate is Chianti at its most authentic: around 51 hectares comprising woodland, arable land and an olive grove with some 600 trees in full production and a further 400 currently being restored. The beautiful garden, with its well-appointed areas, leads to the panoramic swimming pool, which offers a 360-degree view of the valley — from Barberino Tavarnelle to San Gimignano with its towers, as far as Volterra, the Florentine hills and, on the clearest days, the Apuan Alps. The energy performance is remarkable for a property of this historical scale: a 20 kW solar panel system generates a surplus of electricity, whilst a 50 kW biomass boiler powers the heating and hot water supply. The water supply is provided by the municipal water network, two wells and a private pond. Siena is about 30 minutes away, Florence about 25; the Florence–Siena motorway is approximately 5 km away.