Italian Real Estate - Piemont Immobilien

Substantial Farmhouse in Idyllic Hillside Location with Small Vineyard

Near Nizza Monferrato

The Situation : This 200 year old farmhouse is set in a peaceful and very sunny location halfway up a gentle hill, enjoys lots of privacy and is surrounded by vineyards, arable fields and meadows. The property measures approximately 12,000 sq m (3 acres) and includes a small vineyard. It is just a short drive away from Nizza Monferrato, a lively market town and a well-known centre of wine trade, with good day-to-day shopping facilities, excellent restaurants and wine bars, banks, a hospital, cinemas and an excellent school for children aged 3 to 18. The colourful weekly Friday market at the main square, the Piazza Garibaldi, and the antique market, held once a month there on a Sunday, are very popular. 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 are within an hour's drive away.

The House: The two-storey brick farmhouse dates back to the mid-18th century and measures about 23 x 11 meters (69 x 33 ft). It 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 500 sq. m. (5,000 sq ft) and faces south. The condition of the building is very good, but the interior is in need of general modernization and refurbishment. The roof has been renewed very recently and is tiled traditionally alla Marsigliese. Most of the floors are original cotto, and the rooms feature attractive vaulted ceilings, which can be sand-blasted to bring them back to their original beauty.

Accommodation

Ground floor: Entrance door opens into a small hall with a door leading to a spacious room (22.95 sq m) with two windows looking onto the courtyard. Another door opens from the hall to a dining room (18.09 sq m) with one window and access to the kitchen (24.75 sq m). The kitchen has one window and doors opening onto the courtyard. Another entrance leads from the side of the house into the large cantina/winecellar (50.50 sq m) at the back of the house. Next to the kitchen, with gates opening to the courtyard, is a large L-shaped stable (67.52 sq m) that could easily be integrated into the living area of the house. On the left side of the house is a loggia (35.80 sq m).

First Floor: Stairs lead from the hall on to a small first-floor landing with a balcony. Door to bedroom 1 (18.07 sq m), which has one window and overlooks the courtyard. Door from landing to bedroom 2 (22.91 sq m). This room has two windows, is very light and also overlooks the courtyard. Further doors to bedroom 3 (16.65 sq m), bedroom 4 (16.00 sq m) and bedroom 5 (16.65 sq m). These three bedrooms overlook the side and back of the property. Above the stable and kitchen is a very large hayloft (102.59 sq m) that offers the potential to create guest accommodation, for example 2 self-catering apartments. All rooms enjoy fine views over the open countryside and have lots of light.

Outside: The house is approached from a quiet country lane by its own driveway. The grounds include a small vineyard that has a current permit to allow replanting, plus an orchard with various apple trees. The remaining grounds are given over to grass, and offer plenty of scope to the enthusiastic gardener.

Services: Mains water, mains gas and mains electricity.

Sporting facilities: There are a number of golf courses in Southern Piedmont. The one nearby, Margara near Felizzano can be reached by car in 25 minutes. South Piedmont is perfect for bike riding: there are numerous small, scenic roads - mostly tarmac-surfaced - connecting hills and villages. Horse riding is also very popular, and there are good riding facilities in the area. The nearest tennis courts can be found in Nizza Monferrato and Canelli. The beaches of the Riviera are one hour's drive away.

Viewing: Strictly by appointment with the sole agents, Piedmont Properties.

Our opinion: A very appealing and conveniently located property requiring uncomplicated renovation, that can easily be turned into a beautiful family home.

More Pictures are available of this property.

For price information contact us quoting reference P167.