Grape Escapes: Luxury Vineyard Vacation in Tuscany

Tucked away in tranquillity lies a 17th century rural residence that has been thoughtfully restored into a grand four-star boutique hotel.

Owners David and his mother Grabrielle have successfully retained the property’s ancient charm, with exposed beam ceilings, wooden flooring, and intricate baroque style furniture throughout. The duo take pleasure in overseeing every little detail – or i piccoli dettagli – from luxury Italian toiletries by Roberto Cavalli and silk-embroidered bed linen to delicious seasonal menus featuring Tuscan specialities from head chefs Giuseppe Masciopinto. The result is a tranquil, gourmet stay with warm hospitality.

Relais La Corte Dei Papi is set within a sprawling Mediterranean garden that boasts a spacious walk-in swimming pool and elegant marble-paved terrace. 

The villa is located a 10-minute drive from Cortona, renowned thanks to the book and subsequent film, Under the Tuscan Sun, by American author Frances Mayes. Surrounded by Tuscany’s historic hamlets and bountiful vineyards, Relais La Corte Dei Papi is at the centre of some of the world’s finest winemaking regions, making it an ideal base to explore the renowned viticulture.

We recommend you head off on the wine trails of Montepulciano, known for its iconic red wine, Vino Nobile. It’s considered a soft, balsamic wine with earthy undergrowth notes and flavours of red cherry, plum, strawberry, and other dark berries, topped off with a smoky spicy finish.

Continue on your wine trail and venture deep into the Val D’Orcia hills before stopping in Montalcino. This medieval town boasts one of the world’s most famous wines: Brunello di Montalcino, which not only withstands but also improves with years of ageing, and has a rich flavour profile of wild berry, liquorice, star anise, and leather.

The heady Brunello was first produced in the mid-19th century when winemakers experimented with the native 100% Sangiovese grape. Today, there are several monumental wineries where you can enjoy this full-bodied wine, which boasts Italy’s highest DOCG classification.

Further north-east lies the Chianti region, which has been thought to have been engaged in winemaking traditions since the Etruscan times and where you can discover Italy’s most famous wine.

Book a private driver and take a day trip to Greve or Radda for a quintessential Chianti experience – both are ancient hilltop towns engulfed by the winemaking landscapes, and the area is teeming with heritage and archaeological finds. 

Don’t confuse Chianti and Chianti Classico – while both are produced in Italy they are not equal. Chianti wine is made in a vast area that covers seven main production areas to create the Chianti DOCG in both the normale and riserva varieties.

Chianti Classico, however, is produced in a smaller region between Florence and Siena that’s home to undulated vineyards and occasional castelli (castles). This wine is distinguished by its gallo nero (black rooster) emblem, which has been a historic mark of authentication since 1924, and now stands for quality, and specific production methods.

If you prefer to stay put and unwind at Relais La Corte dei Papi then you can request a private wine tasting experience thanks to the enviable wine cellar, which holds over 700 labels of Italy’s finest vintages, including the estate’s own label, which features the acclaimed Tuscan reds of Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Masseto, Solaia, and Tignanello. 

The wine tasting is an ideal sundowner activity prior to savouring a four-course meal featuring locally renowned Tuscan Chianina beef, roe deer fillet, or fresh seafood from the Tuscan coast.

For wine lovers, Relais La Corte dei Papi is the perfect destination, located in the very heart of Tuscany yet just a short drive to the verdant lands of unspoilt Umbria. Check in to one of the hotel’s signature Spa suites and enjoy the decadence of your very own jacuzzi, sauna and steam shower.