The 100 acre wine estate of Poggio al Casone is a very special place: perfect for a 3 night winter break or a week or two in summer. It’s an organic wine estate, twinned with the wineries of New York State. They are in collaboration to re-discover the lost grape varieties of yesteryear, aiming to create sublime “new” vintages for the discerning wine lover. Dr. Castellani exports his wines worldwide. He’s a seasoned traveller himself and has insisted that Villa Ulivi must offer elegant comfort to the very highest standard - and he’s succeeded! Taking a holiday on the 100 acre vineyard of Poggio al Casone is to step into a very special environment, a genuine oasis of peace. You’ll find yourself luxuriously lapped in authentic Tuscan hospitality and discreet security on this private, gated estate less than 30 minutes drive from Pisa airport.

The estate is all about genuine Tuscan living and the opportunity to experience the emotion that is the Tuscany most tourists never get to see. Michela looks after reception and she’s your five-star holiday helper. Breakfast in bed, opera tickets, horse riding, having the estate’s bicycles waiting at your front door for a happy ramble or organising a visit to admire the skills of the last basket weaver in the area (off the beaten tourist track of course!) or merely pointing out the best places to eat and the best sights to see - she’ll do it all. She’s an invaluable aid to ensuring you have a truly perfect holiday!

Poggio al Casone is a haven of peace and exclusivity, offering quiet walks through its immaculate vineyards and beautiful views across its swimming pool and lake. The hamlet of Quattro Strade is just 1 km away. For such a small place it’s got an amazing number of amenities - a bank, a news agent for your favourite paper, two bars, two excellent cake shops, plus a supermarket and the choice of two modest restaurants, much favoured by the locals! If you are intent on serious sightseeing, you’ll find yourself wonderfully located. Naturally, you’ll want to visit the Field of Miracles to gaze at the famous leaning tower, admire the duomo and marvel at the baptistery - and it’s only 24 km away. San Gimignano, Lucca, Florence, Prato, Viareggio, Pistoia, Volterra and Siena are all within an hour’s drive. The village of Montelupo specialises in fabulous terracotta, while Empoli turns out interesting glassware, San Miniato boasts a rich summer calendar of cultural events and the antiques market on the first Sunday of every month is unmissable, or head for Castellina in Chianti and snap up some fine crystal (and some wine of course!) then stop off at Vinci on the way back to visit the Museo Leonardiano which celebrates the town’s most famous citizen, Leonardo da Vinci. The season of opera at Torre di Lago Puccini and the alabaster of Volterra are temptatious too - and none of these destinations requires more than an hour at the wheel!

The ground floor apartment Le Rose is so named because it's opposite a wide bed of beautiful roses. The deliciously shady, traditional Tuscan Loggia outside the sitting room and double bedroom (see our main picture above) is the ideal spot for an evening barbecue using the estate's mobile grill - pop into reception to book it and the ever helpful Michela will have it delivered to your terrace. You'll find Le Rose is a bright and airy apartment, comfortably furnished in best Tuscan style. The double bedroom is to the left of our main picture, while the living room, with its large satellite TV and comfy sofa is on the right. There's even a comprehensive little library of DVDs in reception for your use - again, just ask Michela and she'll lend you as many as you want. But you might find you are so busy sampling the estate's wines, exploring the estate's mountain bike trails or sitting happily with a fishing rod down by the lake, or just spotting hares (the estate's also a national hare reserve!) that even the sport channels on your TV will have to take a back seat...? The apartment's kitchen area is nicely equipped with a full sized electric oven, a large fridge/freezer, gas hobs, dishwasher and a microwave. If you'd like to book in for cookery lessons, then the wonderful Michela can take care of that too. Lessons in how to prepare perfect pasta - actually you cook a divine three course meal - are available. You can book in for a lesson (160 euro per person) in your very own kitchen. Interactive, hands-on cooking and an authentically Tuscan meal to eat at your leisure - wines included naturally!

If you simply want to chill and be discreetly pampered in splendid surroundings, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more perfect spot. Or if you want an elegant base from which to explore the art, the wines and the culture of glorious Tuscany, then stop searching - I think you've just found what you are looking for!