Docciolina, La Panca - Greve in Chianti - Florence and Chianti

This villa, high up in central Chianti, feels like a much-loved home – and, no wonder, with extensive views across the fields and woodlands of a wide hilltop valley. The renovated traditional house has a charming mixture of decorative early-20th-century furnishings with chic contemporary touches. Paintings, prints, tiles and mirrors will all catch your eye here. Outside, a beautifully tended garden, full of colour, steps down to a private pool with a shallow section that is ideal for children. The owners have also added a pretty pergola, perfect for dining al fresco with a backdrop of stunning views.

Docciolina is well placed for visits to Florence, Siena and San Gimignano, but you may prefer to potter about in Chianti’s heartland, enjoying its vibrant small towns, such as Greve – a picturesque 20-minute drive away. The villa’s four outside tables and chairs, split between two delightful terraces surrounding the house and the lawned lower level, make al-fresco meals at home a must … but so is eating out at the highly praised restaurant in your hamlet, La Panca. With four bedrooms and the same number of bathrooms, Docciolina has become a favourite with groups of both family and friends.

Ground Floor

Hall
Settle, main entrance.

Lounge
Two sofas, three armchairs, three chairs, two small cupboards, two coffee tables, stairs to mezzanine bedroom, fireplace, double doors to terrace.

Dining Room
Table and chairs, banquette, dresser, shelving, side table.

Kitchen
Fully equipped, table and chairs, fireplace.

Billiards Room
Billiard table, bench, chair.

Bedroom 1 (Mezzanine floor)
Double bed (can be converted to twins), armchair.

Bathroom 1 (Mezzanine floor)
Shower, sink, WC.

Bathroom 2
Bath with overhead shower, sink, WC.

First Floor

Hall
Chest of drawers, chair, stairs to ground floor.

Bedroom 2
Double bed (cannot be converted to twins), wardrobe, chest of drawers, sofa, armchair

En-suite Bathroom
Bath with handheld shower, dressing table, sink, WC.

Bedroom 3
Twin beds (cannot be converted to double), wardrobe, dressing table, two chairs.

Bedroom 4
Twin beds (can be converted to double), wardrobe, chest of drawers, sofa, armchair, side table and chair.

Bathroom 4
Bath with handheld shower, sink, WC.

Our Thoughts
The owners’ pride in Docciolina is evident inside and out through many decorative and practical touches. It makes for a villa that has a lot to offer in low as well as high season. In warm weather, we predict you’ll spend hours pootling between the terraces surrounding the house, with their great views and shady tables, and the lower garden. There, the pool’s setting, internal steps and clever shallow section are real bonuses.

Notes
Four bedrooms. Four bathrooms – one en-suite. One of the double bedrooms is on a mezzanine above the lounge. It has an open connection with the ground floor.If you want the twin to be made up as a double, please request when booking. Pets are not allowed.

Pool
The chlorine-free pool is divided internally by a low wall over which the water flows, creating a narrow shallow strip the length of one side which is ideal for children to play in. The water is accessed by internal steps. A terracotta-tiled terrace on two sides has sunloungers and chairs. Nearby, a pergola gives shade to a table and chairs on the lawn.
Pool size: 10.5m x 5m, 1.2m-1.6m deep, open from April to September, weather permitting.