By Olivia Cuccaro
Upon visiting the Val d’Orcia region of Italy in 2003, Monteverdi Tuscany Founder Michael L. Cioffi found himself enamored with Castiglioncello del Trinoro. Midway between Rome and Florence, the 900-year-old hilltop village, with its winding roads and scenic views, left Cioffi inspired. “It was like stepping back in time, like coming back to rediscover your lover, albeit a little tarnished,” said Cioffi. “I had found this place of quietude – an ideal place for thinking, for conversation, for the arts and the humanities.” Cioffi returned in 2005 to use his inspiration for renovation, establishing Monteverdi Tuscany.
Alongside Cioffi, interior designer Ilaria Miani studied ancient methods of construction to maintain authenticity amidst the restoration. Preserving the original layouts of Monteverdi’s hotel rooms and villas, Miani has combined custom furniture and fine linens with elements of local wood, flagstone, granite and Carrara marble to achieve an ambience both contemporary and definitively Tuscan.
Hotel Monteverdi is comprised of four luxury rooms, five signature suites and two collection suites, all with access to the gym, pool and gardens. Take in exquisite views of Monte Cetona and the Val d’Orcia from the Suite Sant’Andrea, complete with a king-size bed, wood-burning fireplace and rainfall shower (€680/night). Castiglioncello del Trinoro is also home to three luxuriously refurbished Monteverdi villas. The six-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bath Villa Muri Antichi flaunts a private wine cellar and al fresco dining terrace (€19,000/week). A fully equipped, gourmet kitchen presents guests with the opportunity for in-house chef service or an in-house Tuscan cooking class.
Monteverdi will host three Cooking Academies in 2016, where classes will center on preparing local dishes like the specialty pasta, pici. The spring session is scheduled for May 28-June 2 and the autumn for October 1-October 6, while a three-day academy is set for November 3-7. Each academy includes wine tastings and tours of Tuscany’s renowned vineyards, as well as all Monteverdi Tuscany amenities (€8,500/couple).
With cuisine being a vital aspect of any Italian getaway, Monteverdi offers three alluring dining options in the spirit of southern Tuscany. For fine dining, Oreade restaurant Executive Chef Giancarla Bodoni prepares organic farm-to-table cooking. At Monteverdi’s wine bar, Enoteca, a seasonal menu complements an exquisite array of 32 wines by the glass. Guests can unwind with a mixologist-perfected cocktail and a good read at the Library Bar, though some may prefer the relaxation the Spa at Monteverdi can provide with a Santa Maria Novella Candlewax massage.
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In the ancient buildings of Castiglioncello del Trinoro, encompassed by mountainous landscapes ideal for hiking and just a drive away from Siena or Pienza, Monteverdi Tuscany is a unique destination lush with history.
“My vision for Monteverdi was to create a place unlike any other,” said Cioffi. “A place of incomparable beauty…A place that ignites both the physical senses and the intellect.”
Monteverdi Tuscany is located at Via di Mezzo, Castiglioncello del Trinoro, 53047 Sarteano (SI), Italy. Contact travel@MonteverdiTuscany.com or call +1.513.579.1666 for travel consultation.
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