• The Building
• Lower Ground Floor
• Amenities
• Services
• Location

Podere La Fratta

We love the total quiet of this hideaway, animated only by birdsong and the rustling of leaves. The mown lawns stretching from the house to the stream’s edge are perfect for croquet or bowls and the surrounding 10 acres are full of small shady areas for quiet reading moments, or for impromptu cocktails as the sun goes down. The land is a mix of rough pasture, woodland and carefully tended gardens linked together by mown pathways.

The Building

The house is an old mill, and has all mod cons including mains water, telephone, electricity, under floor heating and Wi-Fi, with a choice of town gas and a propane gas tank, both on site and to be connected. 140 square meters living area, plus stables, cantina, storage rooms and utility room in the basement. Currently the living area is on 2 floors above ground, and the cellars are not used, providing a useful potential for future development.

Living Room

The front door opens directly into the living room which is a large (6m x 6m) square room dominated by a traditional Tuscan raised fireplace with brick hood. Opposite the fireplace are two windows that look out over extensive lawns, and down the valley towards the west.

Kitchen

The kitchen has under floor heating, with white marble worktops and open shelf units. There is an electric oven, a gas hob, a dishwasher, a microwave, large fridge freezer, plus a wood burning stove that also heats the water.

Bedrooms

There are three double bedrooms, all with their own hand basins.

The main bedroom is located at the top of a steep flight of stairs to the left, and has its own small balcony and views down the valley and across into the woods. It has a king-size bed and windows on three sides.

The second bedroom is on the right at the top of the stairs and shuttered windows look up the valley towards the rising sun and towards the steeply sloping field and into woodland.

The third bedroom is off the main room. It is a delightful bedroom with central ridge beam and crooked rafters, with a single shuttered window that looks out into deep woodland 50 yards away across the stream.

Bathroom

The bathroom is fully tiled, with a large walk-in shower, WC, washbasin and under floor heating. There is a heated towel rail, and the washing machine is installed below a polished stone slab.

Lower Ground Floor (for development)

Utilities Room

The old pigsty is located under the terrace. It is a useful cool room for storing vegetables, the freezer, fridge, garden furniture etc

Vaulted room

A pretty brick “volta a vela” provides the surprising ceiling to this half-underground room, with arches overlooking the water of the millrace below the house.

Wine cellar

There is an opening in the back wall of the vaulted room that leads into a high barrel-vaulted room that was full of old winemaking equipment: clearly the old cantina.

Stable

Underneath the main Living room is the brick-floored stable, with two long mangers with traditional wooden front-pieces, each pierced by holes to tie up the animals.

Storage room

Below the third bedroom is a high-ceilinged room, again with brick floor.

Annex

In front of the house about 50 metres away is a shed measuring approximately 6m x 4m which was constructed about 100 years ago using stones taken from other parts of the complex. It has been recently re-roofed and insulated above and below, and is now an artist’s studio. It has running water and electricity.

Aia

Adjacent to this building is a square sloping surface about 30–50 cm below the ground level, which drains in to two brick-lined pools. It makes a delightful paved area for lunch al fresco.

Gora

The impressive millpond, which collected water in the winter for use throughout the year, is located adjacent to and uphill from the house.

Amenities

• Large terrace with pizza oven and barbecue area
• Telephone and Broadband Internet with Wi-Fi
• Wood Deck over stream
• Large lawn for throwing games
• Footpaths through 10 acres of land
• Walled garden area for kitchen garden or swimming pool
• Adjacent truffle reserve
• Abundant wildlife

Services

The house is supplied with mains water, with meter located at the top of the drive. The telephone line is for the most part above ground but the last 100 yards is underground. The electricity supply is buried underground and follows the drive up to the neighbour’s house 250 yards away and the meter is located close by the front door. There are two gas supplies—a propane tank (3000 litres) and town gas or methane.

Location

Historic water mill in a secluded location, but within 10 minutes walk of the village of Montisi and its amenities. The building dates to the 13th century, and has been enlarged and remodelled frequently during the course of 6 centuries—changing from working flourmill to farmstead in the 1800’s. Montisi has all basic services including bars, restaurants, a food shop, bank and small hotel. The nearest towns are Pienza (half way between Montepulciano and Montalcino) and Sinalunga (supermarkets and rail station). Siena is about 45 minutes, Florence one hour and Rome two hours. International airports are within one or two hours drive (Perugia, Florence, Pisa, Rome) and an excellent rail service to Rome or Florence can be picked up at Chiusi or Arezzo.

^ top ^