Il Santuario ivy-clad stone farmhouse exterior with cypress trees, Barberino Tavarnelle, Italy

The ivy-draped stone facade of Il Santuario rises behind a manicured lawn, flanked by tall cypress trees with the Tuscan countryside rolling out broadly behind it.

Il Santuario infinity pool with teal mosaic tiles and countryside views, Barberino Tavarnelle, Italy

Teal mosaic tiles line the infinity pool at Il Santuario, where white parasols and sun loungers are arranged along the edge overlooking the rolling hills of Barberino Tavarnelle.

Il Santuario outdoor lounge terrace with olive tree and valley views, Barberino Tavarnelle, Italy

Plush white sofas are arranged on the stone terrace of Il Santuario beside a centuries-old olive tree, with ivy-covered walls to one side and an open panorama across the Tuscan valley beyond.

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Il Santuario alfresco dining pergola with globe lights and countryside views, Barberino Tavarnelle, Italy

Il Santuario traditional stone guest annexe with red canopy and lawn, Barberino Tavarnelle, Italy

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Il Santuario

VILLA • BARBERINO TAVARNELLE, TUSCANY, ITALY

8 Bedrooms • 8 Bathrooms • Sleeps 16

Private PoolPrivate ChefConciergeBBQBalcony

Il Santuario is an eight-bedroom luxury villa in Barberino Tavarnelle, sitting at the heart of the Chianti Classico wine country between Florence and Siena, and spread across three thoughtfully restored historic buildings: a haybarn, a tower and a self-contained guest house. The property traces its origins to the 11th century and has been brought back to life with a design sensibility that honours the original fabric while meeting every expectation of a contemporary luxury rental. Concierge, daily housekeeping, a welcome Tuscan dinner and a case of local wine are all included in the stay, with a private chef available on request. The heated infinity pool looks out over an unbroken panorama of Tuscan countryside, and the surrounding manicured gardens are private throughout. Inside, the three buildings have distinct characters but share a calm, earthy palette and high-quality finishes, from Frette bed linen and freestanding baths to a Sonos system wired through the interiors. The glass corridor linking the haybarn and tower is an architectural gesture that few properties of this type can match. Supermarkets and restaurants in Barberino are 3.4km away, and Florence and Siena are each within 45 minutes by car, placing guests within reach of two of Italy's greatest cities without sacrificing the seclusion of the Chianti hills. At this price point and scale, Il Santuario is one of the more complete estate-style propositions in the Chianti Classico zone, and works particularly well for large families or groups of friends who want full-service comfort without sacrificing architectural character.

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When to visit

Late spring and early autumn are the classic windows for Chianti: May and June bring warm days, wildflowers and full countryside before peak summer heat, while September and October coincide with the grape harvest, lower crowds and the year's best light. July and August are reliable and warm, though the most popular period. Winter is quiet, occasionally frosty and suited to guests focused on Florence and Siena rather than the outdoor pool.

winter

dec · jan · feb

Cool and often frosty, with occasional fog in the valleys and clear crisp days on the hills. Snowfall is rare but possible in January. The pool is heated, though outdoor dining is limited to milder days.

3-10°C

low crowdexcellent value

Availability is generally good in winter and rates are at their lowest. Verify pool heating availability and confirm which villa facilities are operational before booking, as some concierge services have reduced hours outside the main season.

spring

mar · apr · may

Warming steadily from March through May, with May reliably warm and sunny. The Chianti countryside is at its most vivid: wildflowers, fresh green vines and clear skies.

10-22°C

moderate crowdgood value

May in particular books quickly for this property type. Book at least 3-4 months ahead for May departures. March and April offer better availability and lower rates with only a modest trade-off in warmth.

summer

jun · jul · aug

Hot and dry, with July and August regularly exceeding 30°C in the valley. The pool terrace is the focus of the day, and evenings are warm enough for outdoor dining until late.

22-34°C

high crowdfair value

July and August are the busiest period. Book 6 months or more ahead for peak summer weeks, particularly for a property of this size and capacity. Note that barbecuing may be restricted during prolonged dry spells; the villa staff will advise on arrival.

autumn

sep · oct · nov

September is warm, sunny and often the most comfortable month of the year. October brings harvest colours, cooler afternoons and the first rains. November turns markedly cooler and wetter.

10-26°C

moderate crowdgood value

September is one of the most sought-after months for Tuscany and books quickly despite being outside peak summer. October offers excellent availability and rates alongside a full calendar of harvest experiences. November availability is good but verify which services are operational.

Why we chose it

The glass corridor connecting the haybarn to the tower is the kind of detail that sounds modest on paper but changes the entire feel of a stay: it keeps three buildings in conversation with each other without forcing guests into the same space. Unlike most Tuscan villas at this price point, which offer a single restored farmhouse and call it done, Il Santuario gives a group of sixteen genuine breathing room across three distinct structures with their own atmospheres. The welcome package is also unusually generous: a Tuscan dinner, welcome drinks and a case of Chianti are included as standard, not sold back as add-ons, which sets the tone from the moment of arrival.

Reviewed by The Chosen Stay · 2026

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01The Architecture

Il Santuario dates to the 11th century and has been restored across three distinct structures: the Haybarn, which houses the main kitchen and dining spaces; the Tower, which rises across three floors of living and sleeping accommodation; and a self-contained Guest House positioned near the pool. The connecting element between the Haybarn and the Tower is a greenhouse-style glass corridor…

02The Interior

The Haybarn sets the interior tone: an earthy, calming colour palette, generous natural light and a fully equipped kitchen with a sleek island unit and a large oak dining table. The finish throughout is high without being ostentatious. Frette bed linen, Dyson hairdryers, luxury bathroom amenities and bathrobes and slippers are standard across all bedrooms. The Tower's first floor master…

03The Outdoor

The heated infinity pool is the centrepiece of the outdoor space, positioned to take in panoramic views across the Tuscan countryside from the pool terrace. A seated balcony area adjoins the terrace, providing a shaded spot for those not in the water. The al fresco dining area is equipped with a gas barbecue and a pizza oven, which makes it…

04The Location

Il Santuario sits in Barberino Tavarnelle, a municipality in the Chianti Classico wine zone that was formed by the merger of the two historic communes of Barberino Val d'Elsa and Tavarnelle Val di Pesa in 2019. The position is classically Tuscan: rolling vineyard country between Florence and Siena, with the Chianti hills providing the backdrop. Supermarkets and restaurants in Barberino…

05Ideal For

Il Santuario works best for large families or groups of friends travelling together, up to sixteen guests, who want full-service comfort with meaningful architectural character rather than a generic luxury villa. The three-building layout suits mixed groups where different families or couples benefit from their own space. Families with young children are well catered for, with a cot, highchair and…

Amenities

Private PoolAir ConditioningHeatingWiFiBBQBalconyBasketball CourtCribHigh ChairTable TennisPrivate ChefConciergeHousekeepingLaundryWasherDishwasherCoffee MachinePatio

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TheChosenStay's Guide

dining

Osteria di Passignano

Set within a 13th-century monastery in the Antinori wine estate near Badia a Passignano, this Michelin-starred restaurant pairs refined Tuscan cooking with one of the finest wine cellars in the region. Book well in advance, particularly for summer evenings.

15 minutes by car

experience

Chianti Classico wine tasting

The Chianti Classico DOCG zone surrounds the villa on all sides, with wine estates offering private tastings within a short drive. The closest listed in the property data is 10.4km away. Ask the concierge to arrange a private cellar visit rather than a standard tour.

10 minutes by car

activities

Truffle hunting in the San Miniato hills

Autumn brings white truffle season to Tuscany, and the San Miniato area west of Florence is one of the region's most productive zones. The concierge can arrange a guided hunt with a local trifolao, typically followed by a lunch using the morning's finds.

45 minutes by car

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Frequently Asked

Click the booking link to be taken directly to our booking partner, where you can check availability and complete your reservation.

A welcome continental breakfast, welcome drinks and a welcome Tuscan dinner are all included in the stay, along with a case of Tuscan wine and mineral water. Housekeeping runs six days per week with a mid-week linen and towel change. A private chef service is available at an additional cost, as are grocery pre-stocking, in-house cookery lessons and wine stocking.

Arrival is from 16:00 and departure is by 10:00.

The nearest commercial airport is Florence Peretola (Amerigo Vespucci Airport), approximately 45 minutes by road. Pisa International Airport is around 1 hour 15 minutes away and offers a wider range of international routes. For private aviation, Florence handles private aircraft directly, and Siena Ampugnano Airport is an alternative for general aviation arrivals.

Yes. The property provides a cot and highchair as standard, and the concierge service can arrange childcare, in-house yoga and other family-focused extras. The private gardens and pool terrace are well suited to family use, and the three-building layout means adults and children can have separate living spaces within the same property.

Wine tasting at a local Chianti Classico estate is available 10.4km from the property. San Gimignano is 19km away, Siena 43km and Florence 42km, all accessible as day trips. The concierge can arrange in-house cookery lessons, yoga, pilates, massage and private chauffeur service. Truffle hunting, cycling through the Chianti hills and vineyard visits are popular activities in the area.

Late spring, particularly May and June, and early autumn in September and October are the most rewarding periods: warm enough to use the pool, uncrowded relative to July and August, and timed to coincide with the Chianti countryside at its most photogenic. September and October also fall within the Tuscan grape harvest season.

Supermarkets and restaurants in Barberino are 3.4km from the property. Tavarnelle, with a fuller range of shops and services, is 6km away.

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