Wine resort in Tuscany: enjoy a charming stay at Villa Grazianella

A room overlooking the vineyards, the cellar just steps away, sipping a glass of wine made from the same land you gaze upon in the morning: this is what distinguishes a wine resort from a simple hotel or agriturismo offering tastings. Choosing this type of vacation means being welcomed into a working winery, with its own cellar and vineyards all around, following the natural rhythms and production cycles.

It’s a model of hospitality inspired by discreet luxury, made of simple gestures and authentic sensations: the peaceful landscape, a breakfast featuring fresh local produce, a rejuvenating dip in the pool immersed in Tuscan nature, the sunset slowly descending over the hills and between the vineyards while enjoying a glass of red wine. In places like these, fine hospitality naturally blends with the fascinating culture of wine and the local agricultural tradition.

Precisely for these characteristics, a wine resort is not only the ideal destination for romantic weekends or summer holidays in Tuscany: it is also the ideal location for events such as weddings, corporate retreats, private parties, and special occasions.

Located in Acquaviva di Montepulciano, in the heart of the rolling Sienese hills, Relais Villa Grazianella is the jewel in the crown of Tenute del Cerro’s accommodation offerings. The 17th-century villa where guests stay sits at the heart of the largest private estate producing Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: a place where the charm of historic Tuscan residences meets contemporary wine tourism, in one of the world’s most celebrated and evocative landscapes.

A prestigious stay in the Tuscan hills

There are landscapes that have become the very image of Tuscany: rolling hills dotted with rows of vines, white roads lined with cypress trees, ancient churches isolated in the countryside, and medieval villages perched on the hills. These images are easy to glimpse as you travel along Tuscany’s wine routes, those that extend between the Valdichiana, the Val d’Orcia, and the Chianti hills.

Just a few kilometers away are some of Italy’s most famous and recognizable wine regions: Montepulciano, with its Renaissance town and vineyards arranged in an amphitheater; Montalcino, home of Brunello and the Crete Senesi; and Chianti, where the hills gently shape the landscape. A little further on are iconic places like Pienza, the “ideal city” of the Renaissance in the heart of the Val d’Orcia; Etruscan Cortona; and Tuscany’s great art cities—from Siena to Florence to Arezzo.

In these hills, even the places to stay tell the story of the region. For centuries, the Tuscan countryside was organized around noble estates, large agricultural properties with manor houses, farms, and vineyards. Many of these historic homes have been restored and transformed into hospitality residences, where rural architecture meets contemporary comfort, offering a more refined way of experiencing the countryside than a simple agriturismo.

From this tradition, wine resorts were born, properties nestled in the vineyards, where a stay becomes an experiential journey into the culture of Tuscan wine. It’s not just about spending the night in the Tuscan countryside, but about experiencing the region to the fullest, through guided tastings, winery tours, and exclusive food and wine itineraries. For many tourists, traveling to discover local flavors has become a privileged way to connect with the cultural identity of a place.

A wine resort in Italy’s most welcoming village, Montepulciano.

Among Tuscany’s most celebrated wine villages, Montepulciano holds a special place. Perched on a hill between the Valdichiana and Val d’Orcia, the town is famous for its Renaissance palaces, stone streets that climb towards Piazza Grande, and ancient cellars carved into the tuff rock beneath the historic center. Here, landscape and wine culture have coexisted for centuries, making the town one of the most fascinating destinations for those who want to discover Tuscany’s wine culture.

In 2026, Montepulciano was listed by Booking.com as one of the world’s most welcoming cities in the Traveller Review Awards, a recognition based on verified reviews from international travelers and awarded to destinations that stand out for their quality of hospitality and attentive service.

Among the most representative estates in the area is Fattoria del Cerro, the largest privately owned estate dedicated to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, with over 90 hectares of vineyards registered with the denomination and a long tradition in producing one of Tuscany’s great reds. At the heart of the estate is Villa Grazianella, a historic 17th-century residence transformed into a relais: from here, the view opens onto a breathtaking panorama, one of the most evocative and recognizable in Italy.

Villa Grazianella Relais: Fattoria del Cerro wine resort in Montepulciano

Nestled in the hills surrounding Montepulciano lies Relais Villa Grazianella, the jewel of Fattoria del Cerro, the most important winery in the Montepulciano area. The property extends among vineyards, olive groves, and forests of Turkey oaks—the oaks that give the estate its name—in one of the most iconic landscapes of the Sienese countryside.

Wine production is entrusted to enologist Emanuele Nardi, with consulting from Riccardo Cotarella, one of the most respected names in Italian winemaking. Today, Villa Grazianella represents a blend of hospitality and wine-related experiences: here, a stay becomes a way to immerse yourself in the life of the winery, the symbol of Nobile di Montepulciano.

An ancient villa and a designer winery in the heart of Tuscany

The villa dates back to the 17th century and has been restored while maintaining the character of ancient Tuscan noble residences: the long cypress-lined avenue, the pale stone façade in shades of Sienna, exposed wooden beams, and bright rooms. Among other things, Villa Grazianella was the summer residence of the Archbishop of Montepulciano.

Next to the historic residence is the Fattoria del Cerro winery, a contemporary winemaking facility designed to welcome visitors on an immersive journey. It features a scenic barrel cellar and an intimate, designer tasting room.

Rooms overlooking the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano vineyards

The relais has 11 rooms, including two junior suites, all overlooking the estate’s vineyards. The interiors are elegantly furnished with refined fabrics that enhance the villa’s original features, such as wooden beams and terracotta floors. From the windows, you can see the rows of vines that produce Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, while in the villa’s grounds, a swimming pool nestled among olive trees offers a panoramic relaxation space, immersed in the countryside.

The relais has undergone a major development project: new suites built adjacent to the villa have increased the total capacity to approximately 64 beds, making it an ideal location for ceremonies, events, and group stays. You can take a virtual tour of the property.

Il relais è stato oggetto di un importante progetto di sviluppo: nuove suite realizzate nelle adiacenze della villa portano la capacità ricettiva complessiva fino a circa 64 posti letto, rendendo il relais una location ideale per cerimonie, eventi e soggiorni di gruppo. È possibile visitare virtualmente la struttura attraverso un tour virtuale.

Wine & food experience: from the panoramic tasting room to signature Tuscan cuisine

A stay at Villa Grazianella revolves around the opportunity to experience the local food and wine culture firsthand. The estate offers guided tours of the winery, tastings, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano tours, as well as interactive experiences with the winemaker, aperitifs in the historic cellar, and pairings with local products.

The L’Antica Chiusina restaurant, led by chef Stefano Azzi, offers traditional Tuscan cuisine based on local ingredients and designed to enhance pairings with the estate’s wines. For outdoor enthusiasts, hiking and e-bike trails are available, crisscrossing the vineyards and connecting scenic spots in the surrounding countryside—between the Valdichiana, Val d’Orcia, and Chianti.

For those wishing to continue their wellness journey, just a few kilometers away is Chianciano Terme, a historic Tuscan spa town famous for its parks and spas dedicated to treatments and relaxation.

Destination wedding in Toscana: un matrimonio da sogno a Villa Grazianella

There’s something profoundly authentic—and at the same time magical—about weddings celebrated in the Tuscan countryside. It’s not just the beauty of the landscape, but the romantic atmosphere that reigns among vineyards, olive groves, and historic villas. It’s no surprise that Tuscany is the top Italian region for foreign destination weddings, and that many couples choose a charming location in the Siena hills for their most important day.

The reason is easy to understand: here, the wedding goes beyond the ceremony and becomes a shared experience. Friends and family come from far and wide to celebrate their love and spend a few days among Renaissance villages, wine tastings, and views that seem to have come straight from the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci or Botticelli.

This is precisely the spirit of weddings held on the estate, which offers a wedding venue immersed in the landscape of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The property is granted for exclusive use for a minimum of two nights, allowing guests to fully experience all the spaces of the villa: gardens, panoramic terraces, pool, and cellar.

With the ability to host up to 64 guests on the property, your wedding can transform into a truly festive weekend. Celebrations can begin in the villa’s gardens, continue with a sunset aperitif, and culminate with dinner under the stars in the courtyard or in the panoramic gardens.

In the days before or after the ceremony, guests can participate in wine and olive oil tastings, Tuscan cooking classes, and walks in the countryside, or simply relax under the Tuscan sun by the pool nestled among the olive trees. The format of small weddings and elopements finds an ideal setting here: everyone stays on the estate, and every moment becomes an integral part of the experience.

The organization is handled by a dedicated estate planner, while the cuisine is handled by expert chef Stefano Azzi. A wealth of details make this villa wedding venue even more special: the option of organizing fireworks displays and, for religious ceremonies, a private chapel—an option that allows the ceremony to be held in the same location as the reception.

Wine & Business: Organizing a Corporate Event in Tuscany

More and more companies are choosing to organize corporate retreats and off-site meetings outside the city, in natural settings that foster creativity, collaboration, and informal discussion. A change of scenery helps teams work more intensely and develop new ideas.

At Villa Grazianella, the spaces are designed specifically for this type of meeting. The property features a conference room and fully equipped meeting rooms, ideal for workshops, presentations, and strategic sessions for up to 60 participants. The Sala Nobile, bright and equipped with Wi-Fi and projection systems, is perfect for team building sessions and workshops. For smaller meetings, there’s also a more original solution: a charming private room in the heart of the cellar, among the aging barrels.

Team building activities are led by estate professionals: blind tastings, blend workshops with the winemaker, cooking classes with the chef, and outdoor activities among the vineyards. The day naturally ends at the table: the L’Antica Chiusina restaurant can host an informal working lunch or a gala dinner accompanied by the estate’s wines.

Holidays at a wine resort: relaxation, nature, and flavor.

What makes a vacation in the Tuscan hills special is its simplicity: nature, outdoor activities, and good food. Many guests choose to start the day with a walk or an e-bike ride along the country roads, then enjoy a break by the pool surrounded by greenery during the hottest hours of the day. The afternoon can be spent visiting the winery or enjoying a guided tasting of Tenute del Cerro wines, while evening is the perfect time for an al fresco dinner featuring Tuscan cuisine.

Alongside relaxation, there’s no shortage of opportunities to explore the area: outdoor trails, visits to historic villages—the summer is the time for Tuscany’s main historical reenactments, such as the Palio di Siena, the Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo, and the Bravìo delle Botti in Montepulciano—and food and wine tours.

The estate’s location also plays a role: Pienza, Montalcino, Chianciano Terme, and Siena are all reachable in half an hour, while Florence and other major Tuscan art cities are within easy day trips. This formula makes a stay at a wine resort like Villa Grazianella ideal for those seeking relaxation, fine food and wine, and the best of Italian art and culture.