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Nestled into the side of a hill on
seven hectares (17 acres) of land overlooking the beautiful
Volpaia valley, La Penisola is a small, working, organic
goat farm at the end of a kilometer-long private gravel
drive.
Bought
in 1972 by the current owner, the property consists
of a cosy, 300-year old restored stone farmhouse,  adjacent
stone hay barn, and another stone building housing the
goats and farm shop at the far side of the property.
The fields and woods surrounding the
farm are fenced to keep the Cashmere goats from roaming
and abound with local wildlife (deer, porcupine, boar,
pheasant, and foxes). The farm can accommodate up to a maximum
of 8 persons (6 in the house and 2 in the apartment)
and is available for rent all-year round: the house,
by the week or by the month; the apartment nightly.
This property does not offer either
the luxury nor the services of a four-star hotel, but
instead the owner has tried create a haven of comfortable
simplicity, peace and calm for the guest who wants to
STOP and SLOWDOWN.....
The house is small and decorated for
comfortable, casual living. As were most of the farmhouses
built centuries ago, the main house is built into the
side of the hill with the stable originally on the ground
floor.  It now has three double bedrooms and 2 complete
baths, sleeps up to six people and has gas-fuelled central
heating, fireplace, woodstove and solar panels for hot
water. A separate phone line with internet access has
been installed, and washing machine access is in a separate
building.
Through the southern
entrance, you will pass into the glassed-in veranda
with its original stone bread oven. This has now become
a year-round living area, with double-glazed and screened
windows and doors, couches, chairs and breakfast table,
and a large fireplace. A bright, comfortable room
to relax, read, or just enjoy the fire in the evening.
This is an exceptionally pleasant living space when
the bad weather rolls in.
Three
stone steps lead to small library/office with desk,
separate telephone, computer hook-up, bookshelves, couch
and picture window overlooking the entire Volpaia valley,
with the 6 x 12 meter swimming pool in the foreground.
Door to the left leads to extra bedroom with two single
beds,  chest of drawers and armoire, south-west window.
Off the opposite side of the library:
the master bedroom with western-facing picture window
and view of the valley, queen-sized bed, access to bathroom
through the ante-bagno with shower, sink, WC and bidet,
remodelled in 1999.
Communication between sitting room
and kitchen/dining room by means of a wooden staircase
(NOT SUITABLE FOR TODDLERS). Now a large, modern kitchen
and dining room this floor which was originally the
stable and is divided by the original brick arch.
The
kitchen has been remodelled with custom made cabinets,
polished brick work surfaces, four-burner gas stove
and oven, double sink, large fridge and lots of storage
space. There is an ample supply of plates, silverware,
glasses, pots, pans, etc., coffee maker and microwave.
Fresh rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, parsley and bay
leaf plants are  planted all around the property and
will help make you an instant gourmet cook!. (Sorry,
but there is no dishwasher).
The kitchen door opens out onto the
outdoor terrace, grapevine-covered pergola, and barbecue.
The large wooden outdoor table for alfresco dining overlooks
the 6x12 meter swimming pool and affords some of the
most spectacular and unforgettable sunsets you'll experience
in Tuscany! This
is a particularly difficult table to push your chair
away from!!
A
hall leads through a small brick archway past the third
bedroom with small wrought iron double bed to another
door outdoors and second bathroom with shower, sink,
WC and bidet. All the floors are polished terracotta,
and the ceilings are the original exposed chestnut beams.
Please note: This is a self catering
independent villa. Guests are required to provide their
own cleaning supplies, toiletries etc. The owner is
often away or when around, occupied running the goat
farm.  This accommodation comes as is with no frills.
As it is on a farm, at certain times of the year there
might be a lot offlies but there are the aluminium screens on all the windows.
This property does not have air conditioning.
Air conditioning is rarely necessary in Tuscany due
to the lack of humidity and the temperate climate. Almost
all of our properties at InTuscany are in remodelled
medieval or renaissance buildings. They generally have
very thick walls and high ceilings, most are built on
the tops of our gently rolling hills where they catch
the breezes that spring up at mid day and in the evenings.
Generally air conditioning is only
found by the sea side or in the city centers where noise
and/or humidity make it necessary. We do not have air
conditioning in our offices or in any of our own homes.
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