La Vecchia Stalla at Pretaccione, Castelnuovo Berardenga - Siena

Podere Pretaccione, 1000 year old, was once the home of itinerant priests. Located in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine region, Pretaccione provides a restful, rural setting just 20 minutes from historic Siena. The main building has been carefully restored into eight spacious apartments, each comfortably furnished in keeping with the terracotta floors, stone archways and beamed ceilings. A large swimming pool and tennis court with garden furniture are set on a lawned terrace just below the farmhouse.  The ancient stone patios provide expansive views of the Arbie River as it winds through the valley toward Siena.

The houses all have private gardens with terraces furnished with tables and chairs for al fresco eating. The pretty village of San Sano, 4km away, boasts an excellent country style restaurant and a small grocery store with a bar.
Pretaccione is on the property of the Dievole Winery and spa, a short drive or a healthy walk up a country road. Visitors are always welcome for wine tastings and special dinners at the winery.

Facing south east to the open countryside La Vecchia Stalla enjoys a sunny aspect from sun rise to sun set enjoyed from the ample private terrace garden, from here there are great views of the famous rolling hills decorated by the old stone farm houses and small holdings that once worked the fertile land. In this high ceiling and spacious house remain the original terracotta arches giving a cool open feeling throughout.

The front door which is graced with a terracotta arch is accessed from the terrace garden, this large space is furnished with an iron framed table and chairs and sun shade, and a small herb garden for guests use. This is a superb place to dine in the open air under the Tuscan skies both by day and by night.

Entering though the front door your eyes are immediately drawn to the beautifully crafted terracotta arches that run down the centre of the apartment. The room is large and airy; to the right is the living area with a wood burning stove, two double sofas, a leather chair, rug, and two wooden trunks which are used as both a coffee table and corner table.

Behind the living area is a cherry wood kitchen finished with a large granite work surface fully equipped which includes 4 gas hobs, an electric oven, a fridge, and a dish washer. There is ample kitchen/dining facilities for six people provided. By the kitchen is the dining area furnished with a traditional Tuscan solid oak wood table with six matching dining chairs.

A door to the left leads to a small hal leading into the bathroom and bedrooms. To the left is the main bedroom, this is a big room with two large windows facing south east, there is a hand made iron bed frame with orthopedic mattresses with two bedside tables with drawers and a reading lamps, a double wardrobe and a chest of drawers with a small mirror. En-suite to this double bedroom is a bathroom with shower.

Ahead is the bathroom with shower and to the right is the second bedroom. This is a smaller room including two single hand made iron bed frames with orthopedic mattresses with a central bedside table with drawers and a reading lamp and a double wardrobe.

A wonderfully spacious house with excellent views from the terrace.
High-speed wireless internet access available. Please bring your own laptop.
A communal washing machine is available for the use of guests staying in this apartment. Details for access is available on site, please check the info-book in the house.
The apartment has an external solar shower for washing off when returning from the pool area and there are 4 tennis raquets provided.
Air conditioning is included in the weekly price.
Air conditioning is only available in the bedrooms.

The fenced swimming pool is 14 meters x 5.5 meters and 1.30 - 2.30 meters deep. It is open from Easter to October. Lawned terraces offer plenty of open space around the pool area, there is a terracotta pool-surround terrace furnished with comfortable sunbeds, this area south facing and enjoys full sun.

Pretaccione has a full-size, concrete based tennis court that is situated in the gardens near the pool. The court is in an open position - perfect for working on your game whilest enjoying the views of the Siena hills, after you can take a dip in the pool and bask in the Tuscan sunshine on the furnished terrace.