Tenuta Bel Poggio

LUCCA

At a glance

Sometimes I come across a property which captivates me entirely, and this is the case with the wonderful Tenuta Bel Poggio. Of hundreds of superb villas and country houses I have seen in 14 years, this has to be without a doubt one of the most beautiful. In its rustic simplicity and with its elegant air, it is a most exclusive property which compares to a 5-star hotel, but with the warmth of a family home.

Set in the hills just 15 km north west of Lucca, this large tenuta occupies 13 hectares of land planted with vineyards and olive groves. It is a fully operative farm producing an excellent DOC wine and excellent olive oil.

The furnishings and materials have been chosen with utmost care making it a home of maximum comfort in complete harmony with the beautiful setting. Entry to the property through large remote controlled gates offers an immediate view of a simple farmhouse set in manicured lawns. The entry door is, in fact, the original simple farmhouse door and to the right in traditional fashion attached to the house is what was once the barn, now a spacious, airy owner-artist’s studio.

The living rooms run across the entire front of the building, all large rooms joined by ample archways: the kitchen, a library/games room, the dining room, the living room with its old stone fireplace. Large French doors open from each of the rooms giving access to a large patio with pergola, sweeping lawns and gardens, the kitchen herb garden and the old bread oven. The swimming pool (20 x 4 mt) is set on a natural terrace below the villa.

The atmosphere of the common rooms is charming and welcoming with the shining old brick floors and sand-blasted wood beams and ceilings painted white. Lovely Kilim rugs are in profusion on the floors throughout the house. There is quality artwork and artifacts and many books. The views are very panoramic, stretching across the hills and valley towards the coast and the beaches of Versilia.

The villa of 370 sq mt is on 3 levels:

Ground floor: live-in kitchen, pantry-storeroom with large refrigerator with ice maker, library-games room, dining room, living room with fireplace, double bedroom with a French bed, fireplace, bathroom en suite.

First level: main bedroom with fireplace and sitting area, ensuite bathroom with claw-foot tub and large shower, library, one double (queensize) bedroom with study area, bathroom with shower, living room with fireplace with independent entrance.
Second level: corridor-foyer with built in cupboards, 2 double (king) bedrooms with air-conditioning, each with ensuite bathroom.