May 2023…// Villa Giara, a 10-bedroom boutique guesthouse in Italy’s Piedmont region, has opened following a five-year farmhouse restoration project by former Versace Chief Marketing Officer, Stephen Croncota and his partner, designer Ricardo Baptista Fernandes.
Under two hours from the international airports of Milan, Turin and Genoa, Villa Giara is the ideal base for exploring Piedmont’s ‘Golden Triangle’, the area between wine town Asti, truffle town Alba and thermal bath town Acqui Terme. Piedmont, which was recently named Lonely Planet’s top region in the world to visit, is one of Italy’s best kept secrets. Offering exquisite cuisine, scenery and culture at a fraction of the price of neighbouring regions – and with half the tourists – it is easy to see why.
Perched atop a mountain near the quaint town of Calosso, the bed-and-breakfast property is surrounded by vineyard-lined rolling hills and comprises two former farmhouses, manicured gardens with yoga deck and a large pool with panoramic views of the valley below.
10 bedrooms, each with their own unique charm and personality, are filled with artwork, textiles and antiques hand-picked by Stephen and Ricardo on their travels. Italian artisanship is celebrated throughout, with luxurious Italian mattresses and bath products adding a slice of authenticity. All rooms offer sweeping vineyard and mountain views, or look out on to the historic hilltop town of Calosso, via French doors, balcony or terrace.
Breakfast is served daily in Villa Giara’s Limonaia room, while daily aperitivos and antipasti are available on the terrace, the perfect spot in which to soak up the sunset before heading out to a local trattoria. Private on-site dining experiences can be arranged on request.
Restoration works on a separate outbuilding at the base of the property’s hill are almost complete and will provide further accommodation for up to four adults. The villa, which combines the serenity of a private residence and the convenience of access to Villa Giara’s service and facilities, will be available to hire from June 2023.
The property can organise a variety of excursions within the local area, from private tours of UNESCO world heritage site Canelli – home to five ancient wine cathedrals thought to be the home of modern winemaking – vineyard tours and tastings, to truffle-hunting and cooking classes with a local Nonna. For true truffle aficionados, the International White Truffle festival takes place each year in Alba, just a short drive from Villa Giara.
A thriving local gastronomic scene is on the property’s doorstep, with Villa Giara’s friendly team on hand to provide recommendations, make bookings and provide transportation as required.
Stephen and Ricardo, who hail from the US and Portugal respectively, began renovating properties alongside their ‘day jobs’ over 17 years ago and made this passion their full-time occupation in 2017. After living and working in several countries including the USA, Germany and Argentina, the couple finally settled in Italy, where they discovered an abundance of beautiful but neglected properties across Puglia and Piedmont crying out to be restored to their former glory. Typically, the couple either live in, rent or sell the properties after renovation, however in Villa Giara they uncovered a gem too special not to be shared with the world!
Nightly rates at Villa Giara start from €150 (£131*) on a bed and breakfast basis. Villa Giara is open for the 2023 season from 15th April – 15th November. For more information or to book, visit www.villagiara.com. Follow @VillaGiara on Instagram.
