Under the Tuscan Sun

Villa Saletta runs over 1,760 acres with its proud buildings scattered remotely across the romantic Tuscan countryside. Over the years, some of these majestic old buildings have been lovingly restored to create unique and luxurious stays. It is impossible to visit the estate and not feel its rich history; frescoes adorn the Medieval borgo village, and the Renaissance Riccardi family crest can be discovered carved into stone walls at every turn. The estate imbibes a feeling of relaxation and nature to all those who stay there – it’s the perfect place to forget the hustle and bustle for a while and find some inner peace amongst the vineyards, forest and rolling hills. Work is still underway for some very exciting projects and two such projects that are, literally, growing by the minute are Villa Saletta’s superb vineyards and olive groves.

Guy Hands’ vision to transform this tumbled-down estate began in 2005 when he put in a call to find a vintner with that special touch to improve and grow the estate’s vineyards and produce high-quality, authentic wines. After an extensive search, the family was introduced to David Landini, an award-winning vintner and expert in producing and harvesting exceptional wines. David met Guy and Julia at their home in the UK and, after seeing the passion and vision they shared, he was sold, not before Guy showed him around their personal cellars. It was their own, very special collection of wine, that simply took his breath away and had him convinced he had to be involved in the project.

“Their exquisite collection had been nurtured and kept over the years and it really touched me.” David said with a big smile. “I knew that we could do some very special things together, so I accepted the position and I am so happy that I did.” It wasn’t long before they shook hands and a unique relationship of love and knowledge began. David is now the CEO of the seductive jewel that is Villa Saletta. Like the estate, he simply oozes charm with a passion and knowledge for the subject that is crystal clear. David explains that different conditions create different textures and flavours in the wine. The exposure to the sun and positioning of the land or ‘terroir’, as it is known in the business, is a key part of the initial stages. David began using a system from the bottom to the top of the hill, realising that there were varieties of wines best suited to each section, depending on the condition of the soil and angle of the sun. Some soils are more clay like and they produce a different grape; some, when in the sun for longer, give you a different grape too.

“Their exquisite collection had been nurtured and kept over the years and it really touched me.”

Once you have got the planting and growing correct, you also need to look at the fermentation process and this needed a lot of changes too from the previous system. David and his team decided to take longer to ferment their grapes and stricter temperature control. To transform the sugar into alcohol takes around 30 days, then the second fermentation takes around two months.

David described this part of the process as his core passion and true obsession. A perfectionist, he has the energy and drive and that easy Italian charm that makes you fall in love with the whole beauty of making wines for us all to enjoy. It is hard not to be touched by this captivating business that is keeping traditional values and methods alive in the Tuscan countryside.

If you feel inspired to discover your own slice of Tuscan paradise, then the good news is that Villa Saletta’s luxurious accommodation offers the perfect escape, whatever the season. Each of the estate’s three villas have been sensitively renovated using traditional techniques and local materials that reflect Tuscany’s provenance. With meticulous attention to detail, the properties have remained true to the estate’s historic past, from terracotta tiled floors to the Riccardi crest that adorns the walls, without compromising on the comforts of modern luxury.

Regardless of the season, Villa Saletta offers something for every traveller. Here is our top pick of seasonal activities to enjoy all year round.

Winter – Inverno

Harvesting olives

The Tuscan olive harvest is one of the most celebrated traditions and is a must-see for winter visitors. Depending on the maturation of the trees, the harvest can last from October through to December, with the freshly gathered olives whisked to the press within 24 hours to produce the highly-prized golden olive oil.

Spring – Primavera

Strolling in nature

Italian gardens begin to bloom during the spring months, making it the perfect time to experience them in all of their splendour. Beautiful botanical gardens are in abundance in the region, from the botanical garden of Pisa – the oldest university botanical garden in Europe, to the stunning Boboli Gardens in Florence. It’s the perfect way to while away an afternoon.

Summer – Estate

Wine tasting

Tuscany is synonymous with excellent wines, and summer is the ideal season to sample this famous tipple while enjoying the warmth of the Italian sun set against an unforgettable backdrop. The region boasts some of the best estates and winemakers in the world, all equally passionate about sharing their knowledge of the local viticulture history with wine enthusiasts of every level of experience.

Autumn – Autunno

Truffle hunting

Italian truffles grow almost all year round, but September is a highlight of the truffle hunters’ calendar as that is when white truffles come to prominence. Several festivals celebrate this expensive delicacy, with events taking place from October through to November. Eager truffle enthusiasts can join a hunt, while others can enjoy the rich taste of luxury shaved onto a steaming bowl of pasta.

If you feel inspired to discover your own slice of Tuscan paradise, then the good news is that Villa Saletta’s luxurious accommodation offers the perfect escape, whatever the season. Each of the estate’s three villas have been sensitively renovated using traditional techniques and local materials that reflect Tuscany’s provenance. With meticulous attention to detail, the properties have remained true to the estate’s historic past, from terracotta tiled floors to the Riccardi crest that adorns the walls, without compromising on the comforts of modern luxury.

Villa Saletta for all seasons

Regardless of the season, Villa Saletta offers something for every traveller. Here is our top pick of seasonal activities to enjoy all year round.

For more information on booking your stay at Villa Saletta, visit www.villasaletta.com.