Between Nizza Monferrato and Asti
The Situation: This picturesque property can be found only a two-minute drive away from the main road and within five minutes of a pretty South Piedmontese hilltop town. It is situated on a quiet country lane and occupies a sun-drenched hillside location with beautiful views over the Monferrato wine hills. The property lies about 15 km from the nearest motorway, and Milan, Turin and Genoa are each about an hour's drive away. The nearest mainline railway station is about a 10 minute drive away in Nizza Monferrato.
The vineyard: The property measures about 3,200 mē (0.8 acres), of which about 600 mē is a vineyard stocked with highly sought-after D.O.C. Barbera, Dolcetto and Moscato vines. Total annual harvest is about 600 kg. The current owner produces about 600 bottles of wine per annum on-site in the beautiful underground wine cellar. The remaining grounds accommodate a period farmhouse, a courtyard, a vegetable garden, an orchard well-stocked with apricot, peach, pear, fig, cherry, plum trees, an impressive almond tree, and a walnut grove. The vineyard could be sub-let if required by the new owner.
The house: The two-storey brick house dates from the mid-eighteenth century, and was used as a school in the 19th century - therefore the reception rooms are very generously proportioned. The house has three entrances and is externally plastered. It measures 21 x 7 m (70 x 23 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 240 mē (2,580 sq ft). 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 the floors on the ground floor are original cotto or have an original ornamented mosaic "pavimento alla Veneziana". The interior is in need of some decorative attention.
Accommodation
Ground floor: The entrance from the courtyard leads to a hall with door to a cloakroom, a spacious reception room (5.5 x 6.53 m), and to two further rooms of which one has a stone staircase leading up to the first floor, and the other has a further entrance door onto the courtyard. All rooms face south onto the courtyard and enjoy lots of light. There is also a spacious portico (a roofed porch supported by columns) attached to the house, with a room above it that has excellent potential for the addition of a further bedroom and bathroom. A square wine cellar, with constant temperatures throughout the year, is located under the house and has stair access from the courtyard.
First floor: The first floor can be approached either by the indoor stone staircase or by outside stairs on the side of the house that lead onto a lovely terrace. An entrance door leads from this terrace into a spacious room, which currently accommodates a small kitchen and a bathroom. A door from this room leads to a spacious bedroom with balcony - from here there is access to the room above the portico. Only the first floor, in which modern gas central heating is installed, is used by the current owner. All windows face south and overlook the courtyard. The views are magnificent.
Outside: A gate to the property opens onto the sunny south-facing courtyard, lined by various shrubs and ornamental trees and featuring a beautiful mature almond tree. The sloped vineyard and garden stretches from the courtyard down to the bottom of a small valley. The property is fenced on three sides and is rectangular in shape.
Services: Telephone, mains water, gas and electricity are 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 much cared-for vineyard and garden, in a very convenient location and enjoying great views. It has lots of potential to create either an intimate holiday home or a permanent residence.
More Pictures are available of this property.
For price information, contact us quoting reference P139.
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