Farmhouse Rental in Chianti Area of Tuscany

Overall:
We were three couples staying at Villa Adelina, and all of us loved our stay. The villa was clean, a bit rustic but very comfortable for our home away from home for a week. It had all of the amenities we needed except a clothes dryer. The view was amazing, and the staff very attentive. We had chef Dora in on the night we arrived - the best meal we had in Tuscany! And very reasonably priced - would have spent a lot more for a 5-course meal at a restaurant, and we had leftovers all week. There were olive and grape trees all over the property, as well as rosemary and lavender bushes. The pool was amazing, while we did not go in it as we were there late October and the water was cold, we did have wine and appetizers by the pools with the most amazing view. I would go back there in a heartbeat - planning to come back and stay for a month as soon as we retire and I learn to speak better Italian in 4 years!
Enjoyed Most:
The view, the rooms on the main floor were very comfortable, as well as the bedrooms. The kitchen had everything you needed to make a home there - it felt like home away from home.
Enjoyed Least:
No screens on the windows but that is very typical in Tuscany so no real complaints.
Surrounding Area:
The View, the View, the View! Being from the US, we were not used to seeing anything over 200 years old and were completely 'wowed' by the entire area. Everywhere you looked was a vineyard and a photo op. Castellina in Chianti is a charming town. It has only one real grocery store, and you had to be very mindful of the hours they were open.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Castellina in Chianti was the nearest small town but not within walking distance. You need a car to stay in this villa.
Tips or Restaurants:
The maid service that comes with the villa only includes making the bed. They do not change towels, so you are responsible for washing them. Also bring wash cloths if you use them. GET CHEF DORA - worth every penny and completely blew away the restaurants in Castellina. The pizzeria in Castellina was very good.
Directions:
The directions provided were good. We used a GPS as well, you need to put in Tenuta di Lilliano.
Check In Out:
Check in was simple, you needed to go to the Winery office (where they offered us tasting of the Lilliano label wines, very good), and then they escorted us to the Villa.

Janet, October

Overall:
We had an amazing time at Villa Adelina. It is quiet, beautiful and spacious. We had four couples and it accommodated us all, whether we wanted to be together in a big group or find some private time to read.
Enjoyed Most:
There is a lot to like about Villa Adelina. The view is sublime rolling hills, vineyards and other villas in the distance. The view from the infinity pool is especially good. The bedrooms are spacious and private. It is centrally located, making it easy to go on day trips to Castellina, Siena, San Gimignano, Colle de Val Elsa and Volterra (and others). The staff was very accommodating and helpful. There are many spaces to use for groups and for private reading, both inside and out.
Enjoyed Least:
While we loved most of what the property had to offer, we had difficulty getting all of the burners on the stove in the kitchen to work. It's a small thing and probably easily fixed.
Surrounding Area:
Villa Adelina is situated in a gorgeous rural setting, so even if you stay right at the villa -- which we did a coupe of days -- it feels as if you are experiencing the real Tuscany. If you want a small diversion, Castellina is minutes away by car -- and don't forget to go to the gelato shop where we found delicious and uncommon flavours including lime with basil and lemon, pineapple and thyme. The villa is an easy 25 minutes from Siena and also a very easy distance to Volterra, which we combined with an evening at San Gimignano. There are wineries both nearby (including Liliano) and a little further afield (like Carpineto near Lucolena past Greve, which we visited, as well as Antinori where we stopped for lunch on our way to the villa from Florence) Also in May we found fields of poppies, the quintessential Tuscan photo experience!
Nearby Events or Locales:
Castellina is the nearest small town. Delicious gelato, interesting shops and also a small grocery store. A dedicated person could walk it, but it is an uphill 5km. We spent a rainy afternoon tasting wine and trying on Italian leather shoes here, and topped up our groceries from time to time.
Tips or Restaurants:
Future renters should consider getting most of their groceries at the store in Poggibonsi -- it is a large store with a lot of choices. The one in Castellina is much smaller. We also brought a couple of Italian cookbooks for inspiration, as each of the couples was responsible for cooking one evening for everyone. We had some amazing meals including Italian classics like tomato bruschetta followed by asparagus and pecorino risotto and grilled rosemary pork ribolita soup followed by chicken cacciatore and poached pears grilled fish and salad melon-wrapped proscuitto followed by grilled rosemary lamb and lemon pie. OK, I digress a bit, but the food was incredible. So bring a cookbook!
Directions:
We went to the winery first (Tenuta de Liliano) and they drove us to the villa.
Check In Out:
We had a small wait while checking in, but it went relatively smoothly (especially as we were able to taste the wines while waiting). Check out was seamless.

Elizabeth, May

Overall:
The villa is perched on a hillside with wonderful views and that set the stage for my wife's wish to have friends and family enjoy the Tuscan countryside with us. Everyday was a pleasure.
Enjoyed Most:
Blessed with beautiful Fall weather this villa was a great place to call home while we explored the Chianti region. Windows open with little concern about anything coming in but the breeze we really enjoyed watching the wildlife - deer and pheasant. Plenty of space to relax and the pool was outstanding - a bit cool for most but perfectly clean with superb views. WIFI was a plus, too.
Enjoyed Least:
The lane could use some grading and there's a troubled tree that, when removed, will open a nice sight line to Castellina. They claim that will happen soon.
Surrounding Area:
Castellina was picture perfect, with a COOP for all needed groceries. Enjoyed a trip to Livorno and down the coast to Cecina. All the hill towns were in easy reach - Greve and Volterra were favorites. Siena and Florence were readily visited. Our guests enjoyed Lucca,Cinque Terre and Rome - great to be fairly central to all those.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Nothing, but perhaps the winery at Lilliano, was in walking distance. Castellina in Chianti and Scalo are the closest with Monteriggioni close behind. All were easy 10 -15 minute rides.
Tips or Restaurants:
I think we enjoyed a good meal in every restaurant in Castellina but developed a great rapport with Zimee the head waiter at il Fondaccio (they have 2 restaurants in town ) They were truly memorable. Buy a sharp knife at the Sat. farmers market and leave it for the next visitors. They could use a extra ice cube tray but otherwise everything needed was there.
Directions:
I think GPS is a must - particularly in busy places like Florence or Siena. Having a good copilot is a big plus too especially forecasting what's next on the "curly" country roads. Neither we, nor our guests, had any problem finding the winery. From there being led to the villa makes it easy enough. Several of us put a PIN on the little bridge coming of the main road to the villa.
Check In Out:
Check in and out was pleasant and smooth for all.

Chris, October