When Christian Scali and Stephen Lewis decided to buy a crumbling, 500-year-old Tuscan villa, they called on architect Massimo Pierattelli to help them create a sanctuary hidden in the forests of Chianti between Florence and Siena, Italy. Villa Ardore, a full buy-out property, opened post-pandemic to welcome guests starved for a change of scenery and authentic Italian food.
Chris ([email protected]) and Stephen ([email protected]), along with Francesco “Franci” Goracci ([email protected]; +39-340-755-6212), the villa manager, have thought of almost everything to make 18 to 20 guests happy: the best beds, the finest linens, carefully planned spaces, a mountain’s worth of travertine and service molto simpatico. Anything they haven’t yet conceived of will no doubt appear shortly.
In addition to eight/nine en-suite bedrooms, the villa offers a spa with a spectacular view, including a sunken hydromassage tub, dry sauna, steam room and sensory shower. Massages and treatments can be arranged upon request. Outside, there is a heated saltwater infinity pool with a fountain, plus inside and outside seating for meals, a fire pit with surround seating and multiple terraces. As Stephen explained, the gardens are manicured around the villa, with a more natural feel beyond. A hen house and vegetable garden are tucked behind the trees.
(Villa Ardore )
In the main building there is a salone with grand fireplace and leather sofas and chairs; an impressive Parisian zinc-topped bar rules over the adjacent space.
Note: Be aware the rooms have no TVs, though there is excellent mesh internet for streaming, and there is a media room.
Two double bedrooms with fireplaces are located in the ground level Dependence, which is rustic in mood, with antique wood flooring from a school in India and whitewashed ceiling beams. This ex-storage barn also houses the spa and has facilities to accommodate physically challenged guests. These rooms could be a private get-away for a bridal couple or for anyone looking to avoid stairs.
The other six bedrooms are on various levels of the main building—old Italian farmhouse families kept adding on over the generations. The spacious office, which is at ground level, morphs easily into the ninth bedroom. Of course, this being a historic property, no bedroom is the same, but all have massive armoires, piles of blankets and throws, and plush towels. There are two kitchens—one in the main building, where guests may forage for snacks, and the other an industrial kitchen situated in the barn.
(Villa Ardore)
We especially like the primary suite, with its private terrace overlooking the rolling landscape and classic Tuscan views from the king bed. There are both a separate shower and a large footed tub, plus lots of closet space.
Tuscan vistas are also the high point of double-windowed room 8, upstairs in the main building. The bathroom has a scenic view with a walk-in shower. All mattresses in the villa were carefully selected for comfort and the entire property has heating, heated floors, and air conditioning.
Guests may choose between two packages: the Premium, for groups who will be out sightseeing during the day, and the Elite, for those who plan to unplug and enjoy the ambiance during the day. The Premium includes a daily chef’s breakfast, welcome aperitivo, wines for purchase and a private chef upon request. The Elite includes airport/train pickup and drop off, the daily services of Chef Roberto Miceli for both lunch and dinner, daily breakfast with Chef Salvatore De Genus, a stock of snacks and Villa Ardore private label wines. Chef Salvatore has worked at Four Seasons Florence, while Chef Roberto worked previously for the Ferragamo family.
(Villa Ardore)
An added bonus for all guests is daily fresh eggs from the villa’s hens. There is a professional pizza oven on the terrace and Gianluca, the pizzaiolo, will come to create seasonal savory pies. Cooking lessons are available upon request.
Meals are served at a handmade wood slab table, which extends to seat eighteen. The villa’s growing collection of art is by locals and includes custom hand-painted majolica dinnerware.
Villa Ardore, at Localita Marciano 1, Barberino, Val D’elsa, Italia, is about a 35-minute drive to either Siena or Florence. On a clear day it’s possible to see the towers of San Gimignano in the distance. The property is at the end of a wooded, two-and-a-half-mile white road, carefully maintained for private cars. For those who prefer a car and driver, arrangements can be made for pick up in Florence or Siena, or, for the duration of the stay.
Chris and Stephen have made Tuscany their primary home and are often available to meet and greet guests. The property is open all year and plans a special celebration for Thanksgiving 2024.
(Villa Ardore)
Multi-lingual Hanna Drechsel is ready to plan daily activities, such as a majolica ceramics class with Nicoletta Penco ([email protected]), who designed the villa’s dinner service. Hanna will also create experiences in Florence, such as bookbinding at Il Torchio or a visit to an ancient silk factory, Antico Setificio Fiorentine. Lunch in town at local favorite Osteria Antica Mescita San Niccolo means classic dishes and a neighborly atmosphere in Oltrano, Florence’s Left Bank.
The Chianti Classico region around the villa is full of wineries offering panoramic views, tastings, and lunch. One attractive possibility is Poggio Amorelli, founded in 1997, where winemaker Marco Mazzarini and his family make a variety of DOCG wines typical of the area. There are cellar tours available and excellent wine-pairing lunches by reservation. In the Val d’Orcia area, we visited Ultima Pietra, developed in 2015 and owned by American Margot Stone Bowen. Margot has brought in young Italian winemaker Giovanni Stella and Chianti-native cellar master Corinna Banti to produce her wines. Margot led the renovation of the main house and dependence, which are design stars. Cellar tours and a light lunch are on offer by reservation.
(Villa Ardore)
An intriguing possibility is Villa Ardore’s agreement with Worth Avenue Yachts, with offices in Palm Beach and Monaco. This relationship makes it possible to coordinate land and sea vacations, using nearby Italian ports, such as Livorno, to book a Mediterranean charter voyage pre- or post-Villa Ardore.
The word ardore in Italian means much the same in English: ardor, passion, enthusiasm, devotion. For Chris Scali and Stephen Lewis there is an additional meaning: it is the name of the town in Calabria where the Scali family settled before coming to America. These two have taken this devotion to all things Italian and created a hidden gem, where guests can partake of that special atmosphere that is Tuscany.
Related Articles
Augustus Hotel & Resort in Tuscany Acquires New Villa
Introducing: Villa Ardore in Tuscany
Abercrombie & Kent Unveils A&K Private Estates
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco Debuts Newly Restyled Villas
