Casale La Macina

Overview

Casale La Macina was an old olive mill.  For around 160 years it was one of the main employers for the local villagers. In the 1990's the building was initially restored.  Over time the land has gradually been brought back to life.  Stylish and charming the interiors have been designed to complement the building. Internally the rooms are all light and spacious. 

The large saline swimming pool takes the shape of the original mill pond and has a shallow section suitable for children. The surrounding landscaped garden is perfect for relaxing. 

The main entrance hall, with the original olive press and grinding stones is a light and atmospheric room with an extending antique table and chairs for more formal dining. Stairs lead up from here to the central part of the house. The main kitchen is just along a corridor with a cloakroom and the wine room is just off the hall to the left in the West wing with another staircase for easy access to this side of the house. Two windows let in ample light and the main double doors open out on to the patio/dining area with large table, chairs and a wrought iron pergola for shade.

The larger of the two kitchens in the house, situated in the east wing of the house, has been designed as a 'teaching kitchen' and provides quality equipment. A large chestnut table seating twelve is perfect for casual dining. The professional kitchen includes two Miele steam ovens and a large American style fridge/freezer. 

A local chef can be arranged to give cooking lessons here in the main kitchen (please book well in advance). Alternatively, for a lovely relaxing evening, he will come and prepare a meal for you to dine on the patio, where you can enjoy eating al fresco or in the atmospheric main dining hall where the original grinding stones of the mill have been preserved.

The wine cellar is stocked with Italian wine.  The guests can enjoy a tasting by a local sommelier or try the wines that have been selected on an honesty basis. 

The large, cozy central lounge includes extra large sofas, armchairs, coffee table, 55” satellite Smart TV, with DVDs and a Bluetooth speaker, bookcase with large selection of books, information and maps and a large wood burnering antique stone fireplace. Windows look over the olive groves to the front and woodland to the rear of the house. There is a cloakroom on this level just along the hallway. 

Suite Raphael - One of the two beautiful suites in the house faces East offering amazing sunrise views from the full length window in the sitting room. The air conditioned bedroom has a large comfortable double bed and luxury linens, bedside tables with reading lamps, his and hers wardrobes and console table with mirror. The window in this bedroom overlooks the front patio are of the house and the olive grove. The sitting room has a large sofa, two armchairs, reading lamps, coffee table.  The large bathroom has a large marble shower with glass screen, freestanding stainless steel bath, twin sinks in marble topped vanity unit and WC.

Bedroom Lotto - Twin bedroom on the second floor of the West Wing. Double doors lead into small hall with wardrobe. This cozy and comfortable air conditioned bedroom has two comfortable single beds with luxury linens, bedside tables with lamps, chest of drawers and window with views of the small aqueduct and summer kitchen garden terrace. The bathroom has a marble shower, twin sinks on terracotta topped chestnut wood vanity unit, bath, WC and window.

Suite Botticelli - Full length windows in the bedroom, sitting room and bathroom take full advantage of the views over the olive groves. Extra large bathroom with free standing copper bath, walk in marble shower with glass screen, twin sinks with marble topped vanity unit and WC. The air conditioned bedroom has a large double bed, luxury linens, his and her wardrobes, bedside tables with lamps and chest of drawers. 

Bedroom Caravaggio - In the central part of the house, this beautiful and spacious air conditioned room has full length window taking advantage of olive grove views. There are two comfortable single beds with luxury linens, double wardrobe, chest of drawers, bedside tables and lamps. The bathroom has a bath with shower over, Carrara marble sink on chestnut wood vanity unit, WC and window with views over woodland.

Bedroom Da Vinci - Lovely air conditioned room on the top floor of the East wing.  From the window enjoy watching the sunrise over the valley below. There is a large and comfortable double bed with luxury linens, bedside tables with lamps, double wardrobe and chest of drawers. The bathroom has a stone shower with glass screen, chestnut vanity unit with feature stone sink, WC, window overlooking olive trees.

The study can be used as a computer/study room, games room, TV room, as the sitting area for Da Vinci, or for any guests who prefer to use it as a private area to relax. Double doors lead into small hall with Da Vinci room to the left, bathroom in front and this room on the right. It is at the top of the East wing of the house and there is a sofa, armchair, coffee table, computer/work desk with good WIFI.

Bedroom Titian -  Lovely and spacious tower room on the top floor of the West Wing. The light floods in from windows on all sides with views over the rooftop, pool and waterfall area, olive groves and surrounding woodland. There is a large and comfortable double bed, walk in double wardrobe, bedside tables with lamps, chest of drawers, large bathroom with 'his and hers' doors, bath, walk in stone shower with glass screen, twin stone sinks on chestnut wood vanity unit, WC, window.

The basement utility/laundry area is equipped with washing machine and a tumble dryer, iron, ironing board and sink.

Outside, there is a traditional Tuscan Summer kitchen, lovely for breakfast, lunch or drinks when using the lounge or the pool. Equipped for cooking light meals with a large five ring gas stove, large American fridge/freezer, dishwasher, dining table and chairs, dresser, tiled work surfaces and antique stone sink.

The terraces around the house are equipped with dining tables, chairs and deckchairs and take full advantage of the breathtaking views. The herb garden next to the main kitchen has a wide variety of Mediterranean herbs,  and the Summer Kitchen garden terrace is surrounded by herbs and native flowers, there is a dining table here, perfect for having lunch near the pool or having a barbeque.

On its own terrace above the house is the salt water swimming pool that takes the shape of the original olive mill pond, which originally held water to power the water wheel, the internal workings of which have also been preserved in the main dining hall. The pool is surrounded by grass and landscaped gardens, views over the olive groves and valley below.