Situation: This superb property occupies a very private and secluded hillside position at the end of a quiet country lane just a few minutes from the the centre of a small town with good day-to-day shopping facilities, bars, restaurants, etc. The beautiful Roman spa town of Acqui Terme is only 15 minutes away. In the direction of Alessandria the motorway / freeway / autostrada can be reached by car in 20 minutes. The international airports of Milan, Turin and Genoa can all be reached by road within 90 minutes, and the beaches of the Italian Riviera are only a 45 minute drive away.
The south-facing grounds extend to about 7.8 Ha (19.5 acres) in total and include about 4.5 Ha (11.25 acres) of well-maintained vineyard, a mid-19th century country house, an antique brick-built gatehouse/outbuilding for guest or caretaker accommodation, a spacious portico, a cantina / wine cellar, a mature landscaped garden with a small pond and space for a swimming pool, woodland and meadows.
The Vineyard is situated on the hillside at the back of the house: 2 Ha are planted with DOC Barbera d'Asti, 2 Ha with Cabernet Sauvignon Monferrato DOC, and about 5000 sq.m with Moscato vines. The grapes are currently sold to a local wine producer: the production is about 40,000 kg per annum. The present owner used to send his grapes to a reputable local winemaker to make wine under the estate's own label, an arrangement that could be re-activated by the new owner if desired. All the necessary vineyard machinery is included in the sale.
The House has been renovated and transformed by the current owner into an elegant country residence: it includes 4 bedrooms each with an ensuite bathroom, a beautiful country kitchen, a dining room, a spacious living room, a study, a laundry room, a guest WC, a cantina / wine cellar, a very spacious portico for outdoor entertaining, and a former hayloft that could be turned into further accommodation if desired. The comprehensive renovation included a new roof, an extension to the house, the installation of central heating, hand-made terracotta floor tiles, new internal and external doors, exquisite wrought iron work, double-glazed windows and the complete refurbishment of the interior.
Accommodation
Ground Floor: The main door opens from the courtyard into a substantial entrance hall with an open fireplace and stairs leading to the first floor. To the left a door leads to a dining room and to a spacious live-in country kitchen with fitted appliances, an open fireplace and a beautiful, renovated vaulted brick ceiling that gives the room a lot of character. A door leads from the dining room to a study, from where French doors give access to the garden. Next to the study is a spacious laundry room.
To the right of the entrance hall, the large living room has an open fireplace, two sitting areas, picture windows with views over the garden, and wooden-beamed ceilings. Two steps and a passage lead to a small hall, a cloakroom/WC, and to the rear entrance to the house.
First Floor: From each of the two entrance halls, stairs lead up to a first-floor corridor that provides access to 4 spacious double bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom, that all enjoy lovely views over the garden, the vineyard and the open countryside to the south. The master bedroom has an open fireplace and a dressing room as well as an ensuite bathroom.
Portico: To the left of the main entrance into the house, the large portico is used during the warm seasons as an al fresco dining area. A door leads from the portico into a spacious antique wine cellar / cantina that features traditional brick vaulted ceilings. Above the wine cellar is a large hayloft that could be converted into further accommodation if required.
The Outbuilding/Gatehouse houses guest accommodation that includes a living room, a kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. It is currently occupied by a full-time caretaker who looks after the house and maintains the vineyard, garden and grounds - an arrangement that can be continued if the new owner wishes. The large portico behind this outbuilding is currently used as a garage for 3 cars.
The Garden & Grounds : The landscaped garden surrounding the house and the spacious courtyard are partly enclosed by a fence, beyond which are located the remaining grounds. A special feature of the garden is an ancient Mulberry tree that provides welcome shade during the summer: the garden also features a manicured lawn-area with an irrigation system, fed with well water, and ornamental flower beds that are well-stocked with roses and shrubs. A small pond is home to some ducks, and of course there is plenty of space to build a swimming pool. The large meadow, also part of the grounds, would make a fine horse paddock.
Services: mains and well-drawn water, gas-fired central heating, mains electricity
Sporting facilities: There are a number of golf courses in Southern Piedmont. The nearest, Le Colline near Acqui Terme, can be reached by car in 15 minutes. There is plenty of open countryside nearby for horse riding. The excellent network of small, tarmac-surfaced country roads makes the area very popular with cyclists. Popular Italian ski resorts can be reached within 90 minutes.
Viewing: Strictly by appointment with the sole agents, Piedmont Properties.
Our opinion: A superb property in an excellent location that is both close to town and extremely private, with a tastefully-renovated house and a vineyard in excellent condition.
35 Additional Pictures are available of this property.
For more information contact us quoting reference P302. Please note that all quoted measurements are approximate.