Italy Vineyards - Piedmont Properties

1.3 Ha with Barbera Vineyard and Spacious Period Farmhouse in Prime Location

Between Asti and Alba

The Situation : This very attractive property enjoys a sunny position, surrounded by gentle hills and vineyards, located on a quiet minor road just 1 Km (0.7 mile) from a small town with an impressive castle and some excellent restaurants. The town provides good day-to-day shopping facilities and is a popular tourist destination. The distance to the motorway is 20 minutes, and the international airports of Milan, Turin and Genoa can be reached within 60 to 90 minutes.

The vineyard: The property measures about 13,000 m² (3.25 acres), most of which is a mature, well-maintained vineyard that produces DOC Barbera grapes. The vineyard is very gently sloped, and therefore easy to work. Currently the vineyard is tended by a local farmer, an arrangement that can be continued by the new owner if required. The remaining grounds accommodate a spacious 18th century farmhouse, a courtyard and an orchard stocked with various fruit trees including apple, pear, fig, cherry and plum.

The House : The two-storey west-facing brick farmhouse dates back to the mid-eighteenth century. A small gate leads a few steps from the road down onto the courtyard and to the house, which has features typical of South Piedmontese farmhouses, the so-called cascinas, in which the living and working areas are under one roof. This makes architectural and functional changes quite straightforward: the former hayloft and stable can easily be integrated into the main accommodation. All rooms of the house have lots of light and lovely views, and many original features can still be found: for example, there are sail-vaulted and barrel-vaulted brick ceilings - which can be sand-blasted to bring them back to their original beauty - original cotto floors, and open fireplaces. The condition of the building is very good, but the interior is in need of general modernization and refurbishment, and we are happy to recommend a competent and reasonably-priced geometra/builder.

Accommodation

Ground floor : The entrance door leads to a small hall with a room to the right, and to a spacious kitchen on the left side. Door from the kitchen to a former stable with access to an enclosed portico, a second, small stable, and a very impressive underground wine cellar, which is square and houses some huge, antique wooden wine barrels.

The rooms and stables on the ground floor could easily be assimilated into larger rooms and offer interesting development potential.

First floor: A stone staircase leads up to two large bedrooms - with windows overlooking the sunny courtyard - and a bathroom. Also on the first floor is a third room - unused for a long time - and at the back of the house, behind the existing bedrooms, is a large loft area that provides space for further bedrooms and bathrooms.

Outside: The courtyard is surrounded by several mature trees including an old palm tree. One of the fir trees blocks out some of the fine view towards the vineyard to the west, and might have to be removed. There is enough space to accommodate a swimming pool and a garage on the side of the house. The vineyard and orchard occupy the remaining grounds.

Services: Telephone, 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 25 minutes. Tennis courts can be found in the local towns, and horse riding 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 60 to 90 minutes.

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

Our opinion: A property with lots of character, wonderful views and a well-maintained vineyard, in a peaceful setting and in a very sought-after location. Lots of potential, either as an intimate holiday home or as a permanent residence.

More Pictures are available of this property.

For price information, contact us quoting reference P187.