Casale Felicità

Nestled in the heart of the Chianti hills, immersed in a landscape that seems suspended in time, stands Casale Felicità, a refined example of Tuscan rural architecture, carefully restored to combine authenticity, elegance and contemporary design.
Surrounded by olive groves and traditional dry stone terraces, with its loggias, stone walls, large wooden pergola and the grace of its proportions, it embodies the ideal image of classical Tuscan rural architecture in all its beauty.

A legacy from the eighteenth century
The original core of the farmhouse dates back to 1780, during the Leopoldine era. Its strategic position overlooking the Arbia Valley was identified as early as the late seventeenth century by Baron Ricasoli, who sought to oversee this stretch of land linked to the complex of the Castle of Brolio.
After a long period of abandonment, the building was rediscovered in the nineteen seventies by an American writer and his Greek wife, both great admirers of Italian culture. The charm of the place was such that, in the nineteen eighties, Casale Felicità became the set for the British television series Summer’s Lease, based on John Mortimer’s novel and starring Sir John Gielgud.
Following a meticulous restoration completed in 2025, the farmhouse has rediscovered its original spirit, enriched with a touch of refined and distinctive modernity.

The restoration and architectural project
The restoration project was carried out by Luca Borgogni Architects, a studio known for the recovery of historic villas in Italy for international clients. The intervention respected every trace of the past, preserving handmade terracotta floors, original wooden beams and lime plaster walls with deliberately textured and vibrant surfaces.
Local stone is the true protagonist in every room, from sinks carved out of single blocks to the travertine used in the showers, chosen for its veins and chromatic nuances. The restored and consolidated plasters maintain their material quality, reflecting the authenticity of ancient Tuscan masonry.
Two large stone arch loggias define the identity of the farmhouse, framing the main entrance and the upper floor terrace. The spectacular panoramic pergola, furnished with a massive wooden table crafted from antique oak beams, offers a breathtaking view over the valley and the gentle flow of the Arbia River winding through the woods.

Interiors, a balance between tradition and contemporary design
The interior design is characterised by a harmonious balance between traditional elements and contemporary solutions. Curved and straight forms, arches in different scales and proportions and new masonry furnishings come together in a composition that is elegant, functional and perfectly cohesive.
The terracotta floors were made by Maestri del Cotto, Tuscan artisans who still employ techniques dating back two centuries. The carefully selected clay blends have produced surfaces with unique, vibrant tones. Solid wood flooring adds warmth and substance to the rooms, while the handcrafted beds by Tosconova and the textiles by Paolo Nesi complete the atmosphere with a sophisticated Italian artisanal touch.
Great attention was dedicated to integrating climate control, lighting and technological systems that ensure maximum comfort without ever compromising the purity of the materials and surfaces.

The garden and surrounding nature
Surrounded by a beautiful olive grove and more than fifty hectares of oak, holm oak and turkey oak woodland, Casale Felicità overlooks a valley that appears untouched for centuries, like an immense enchanted landscape, silent, private and majestic.
The carefully designed garden is dotted with roses, aromatic plants and flowering shrubs that bring colour to the dry stone terraces for most of the year. A magnificent centuries old mulberry tree dominates the scene, providing a generous shaded area ideal for reading or enjoying a glass of Chianti during the warmest hours of the day.
Cypresses, symbols of the Tuscan landscape, are ever present, along with a striking stone fire pit reinterpreted as a convivial gathering place. At sunset, the large pergola hosts up to twenty guests, perfect for unforgettable dinners beneath the stars.
Local wildlife thrives in the surrounding area, where deer, foxes, porcupines, wild boar and a wide variety of birds can often be seen.

A sustainable restoration
The project followed a rigorously eco compatible approach. All masonry work was carried out using natural lime mortar, without cement, following traditional Tuscan construction techniques. The horizontal structures were recovered by reusing exclusively reclaimed oak and chestnut timber. All materials are locally sourced and handcrafted, skillfully worked by the artisans of the Rosolino Rizzo construction company.

Life at the farmhouse
Casale Felicità is the ideal place to experience the gastronomic and wine traditions of the finest Chianti, with wines from nearby vineyards, extra virgin olive oil produced on site and typical local specialties.
The panoramic elliptical infinity pool, heated and filled with salt water, offers spectacular views over the entire property. Nature lovers can enjoy walks through the woods, excursions along the river and cycling routes on the famous Strade Bianche and the Eroica trail that runs along the edge of the estate.
Casale Felicità is located in one of the most authentic and renowned areas of the Chianti Classico region, only minutes away from prestigious wineries such as Castello di Aiola, Arillo in Terra Bianca, Castello di Ama, Dievole, Brancaia and many others.
Nearby destinations include the Castle of Brolio, Radda, Castellina in Chianti, Volpaia, Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Volterra and of course Siena, which can be reached in just twenty minutes by car.

Casale Felicità is available for short term holiday rentals through the prestigious Legenda agency in Florence.
https://www.legendacollection.com/property/casale-felicita/