Italy Vineyards - Piedmont Properties

Outstanding Period Farmhouse with 2,000 m² in Spectacular Position, Suitable for a B&B

Near Asti

The Situation : The property occupies a specatular South-facing position on the edge of a large hilltop village with endless views over the lush Monferrato countryside, only a short drive away from Asti - an attractive historic town with excellent shopping facilities, hotels, and restaurants, plus elegant coffee and wine bars. September is festival season in Asti, and the spectacular Palio - the second biggest in Italy after the one in Siena in Tuscany - is staged on the third weekend in September, followed by the Douja D'Or - a famous wine festival. The motorway can be reached from the property within 15 minutes, and the international airports of Milan, Turin and Genoa within 60 to 90 minutes.

The House : The two-storey brick farmhouse dates back to the mid-eighteenth century and measures about 25 x 11 m (75 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. It has an approximate floor area of 500 m² (5000 ft²) and faces south. During the last century the building was used by the clergy as a retreat house. The condition of the building is very good, and the interior needs only some general updating. All rooms of the house benefit from fantastic views. Some rooms feature attractive original vaulted brick ceilings, which can be sand-blasted back to their original beauty. The house has central heating.

Accommodation

Ground floor : The entrance door leads from the plastered courtyard to a hall and a spacious kitchen. Door from the hall leads to a former stable, now a large hall - formerly used as a chapel. This room has two windows and a door onto the sun-drenched courtyard, and would make a stunning living room. There are also two tiled bathrooms and two further rooms on the ground floor.

On the ground floor and only accessible from outside, there is a portico attached to one side of the building.

First floor: A wider than average staircase leads up to three large bedrooms with balconies overlooking the sunny courtyard and enjoying panoramic views, a further bedroom, and 2 tiled bathrooms. On the first floor, above the former stable/large room, is a large, elongated hayloft with traditional round arches, providing additional development potential.

The Outside : The property is approached by a quiet country road, one of four leading to the hilltop village nearby. At one side of the property an iron gate leads to the large courtyard at the back of the house. The grounds of the property measure about 2,000 m² (0.5 acre) and consist of the courtyard, an adjacent meadow and a sloping orchard stocked with various fruit trees. The grounds require a minimum of maintance. There is enough space for a generous swimming pool.

Services: the house has mains water and electricity.

Sporting facilities: There are a number of golf-courses in Southern Piedmont. The nearest, Margara in Felizzano, can be reached by car in 20 minutes. Tennis courts can be found in the nearby towns, and horseriding is also very popular, with stables nearby. The excellent network of small, tarmac-surfaced country roads makes the area very popular with cyclists. The beaches of the Italian Riviera are a one hour drive away, and popular Italian ski resorts can be reached by motorway within a one to one-and-a-half hour drive.

Our personal opinion: An outstandingly attractive property in good condition, large enough to create a small B&B or to be converted into a beautiful family home.

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

Please note that all quoted measurements are approximate.

More Pictures are available of this property.

For price information, contact us quoting reference P169.