Between Nizza Monferrato and Santo Stefano Belbo
The Situation: The property occupies a sunny hillside location with fine views over the Monferrato wine hills. The property has good road access and is in the heart of the South Piedmontese wine producing region, the so-called "triangolo d'oro" (golden triangle) Nizza Monferrato - Agliano Terme - Santo Stefano Belbo. The property lies about 15 km from the nearest motorway : Milan, Turin and Genoa are each about an hour's drive away. The nearest mainline railway station is about 7 km away in Nizza Monferrato.
The vineyard: The property measures about 13,825 m² (3.5 acres), of which the detached vineyard occupies 3,800 m², producing highly sought-after D.O.C. Barbera (50%) and Moscato (50%). Total annual harvest is about 3,000 kg. Currently the grapes are sold, but there is a good-sized wine cellar which could be easily equipped with wine-making equipment for on-site production. The remaining grounds accommodate a period farmhouse dating back to the mid-eighteenth century, a courtyard, a small meadow, a former vegetable garden, and an orchard stocked with apple, pear, fig, cherry, plum and hazelnut trees.
The house: The two-storey stone house has two separate entrances and is currently plastered. It measures 25 x 5.5 m (82.5 x 18.1 ft), faces south, and is built in the typical style of South Piedmontese vineyards, the so-called "cascinas", in which the living and working areas are under one roof. This makes architectural and functional changes quite straightforward. It has a total floor area of 280 m² ( 3080 ft² ). The condition of the building is very good, and many original features can still be found - for example, there are barrel-vaulted brick ceilings throughout, and most of the floors are original cotto. The interior is in need of some decorative attention only.
Accommodation
Ground floor: The entrance from the courtyard leads to a spacious living room, a small kitchen and a large cantina (wine cellar). Second entrance leads from the courtyard to a further large room. All rooms are facing south onto the courtyard.
First floor: A stone staircase leads up to a spacious, fully-tiled modern bathroom and a large square bedroom with two windows to the south. There is a further bedroom with a south-facing window, a fireplace and the original cotto floor. The second stone staircase leads from the ground floor to the third south-facing bedroom, also with cotto floor and open fireplace. The views from all bedrooms are magnificent. Access from the first floor to the large, elongated hayloft, which provides additional further space with excellent development potential.
Outside: The property shares the driveway with the neighbouring property, which was recently sold to a Swiss family and is currently being renovated. The gate to the property opens onto the sunny south-facing courtyard, which is lined by beautiful fig trees and various shrubs and ornamental trees. On one side of the house is a small "portico" (roof supported by columns, attached to the house) and a garden. There is also a well in the courtyard, plus a derelict storage building which could be transformed into an attractive roofed outdoor sitting place or barbecue area.
Services: Telephone, mains water and well-drawn water, electricity. Partly wood-fired and partly oil-fired central heating. Gas can easily be installed.
Sporting facilities: With little traffic and many quiet country lanes, horse-riding is very popular in Southern Piedmont - there is plenty of space for keeping horses on this property. Tennis facilities can be found in the nearby towns of Nizza Monferrato and Canelli. The nearest golf course, with 27 holes, is in Margara-Felizzano and can be reached within 20 minutes. The beaches of the Riviera are one hour's drive away.
Viewing: Strictly by appointment with the sole agents, Piedmont Properties.
Our opinion: A lovely property with a vineyard and garden, in a very convenient location. It has lots of potential to create either an intimate holiday home or a permanent residence, with enough space for a separate guest suite.
More Pictures are available of this property.
For price information, contact us quoting reference P133.
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