Molino a Brolio 8

We had a great 2 weeks - a family of five with two teenage children and gran. The villa is absolutely stunning - a very impressive farmhouse immaculately kept. The welcome was great - Riccardo handed over the keys at 10.30 pm after we were delayed from Florence airport. Its a bit hard to find so strongly recommend a satnav.

The villa is huge, with showers off most of the bedrooms (hot water, good pressure). We had the use of two kitchens - very well equipped (although you need to replace the coffee maker - sooooo slow! I think it has got furred up - the water is very hard here). There is a massive inside table and likewise outside table which is wonderful for lunch and dinner. The beds including the sofa beds are all good quality and comfortable. It was baking hot when we stayed and the fans in the bedroom were useful.

The pool is fantastic. It is nicely cold for cooling down in the heat, and is spotlessly clean. The internet was adequate, although sometimes (e.g. during some rain showers) it would disappear for an hour or so.

Overall, a really great place to stay. The wild boars are amazing - although I wouldn't get too close!

The villa is ideally placed for day trips to Siena and a bit further away Florence. Nearer are Castellina which is really beautiful, and also Radda and Greve. There is a really nice terrace restaurant in the town on the road from Radda to Greve (about 7kms away). The pizzeria in Gaiole in the square was good too. We didn't bother looking at the guide books and we didn't book ahead - and we didn't have any bad experiences food wise, it was all good. But best of all was cooking for ourselves and eating outside at the villa! The best day trip we had was to Montepulciano - it is about 70-80 minutes away. We had stayed there 10 years ago when the kids were very young so it was very nostalgic but it really is a beautiful town.

Very quiet. Lots of space. Nice and rustic. Easy access to Siena and Florence
The road entrance is very steep and can ground the car easily.

As there is no air con, if it gets very hot at night, it can cause problems sleeping, but I knew that when I booked.

The Castillio to Brolio has the very view in Tuscany and the restaurant there is very good as well.

It was very large for our group and had all the conveniences. Was secluded with a large property. Very clean, swimming pool, bathroom in each bedroom. Our group of 8 had a great time. Had lots of space for our cook and the cooking class we took in our villa. What you see on website is what you get.
The road coming in was washed out at the top and you had to be careful not to hit the bottom of your car. We have been on these types of roads before and understand they are for tractors but the pot hole at the top was way too big and should be filled or paved.

Gaiole is a pretty town as is Castelnuovo Berardenga(did the market. Near Siena and an easy drive to Lecchi, Radda and Castellina in Chianti. Check out Il Malborghetto restaurant in Lecchi. Simone does a great job - also does a cooking class. Le tre Porte in Castellina had a great pizza lunch and Colle Bereto had great salumi plates and wines. Daniela at Casanova di Ama does a great wine tasting either by appointment or on her group days.

The space, the solitude, the wildlife - families of wild boar visiting the meadow each evening, together with deer - the swallows in an out of an outbuilding, the raptors crisscrossing the skies, all added up to an excellent family holiday with plenty of space in an extraordinary villa.

We mostly ate at the villa, but one evening meal at La Grotta della Rana, Localita San Sano, was memorable and good value.

What not to like. Location was perfect for exploring all of Tuscany as well as making day trips to Pisa, Florence, Rome, and Venice. Also close to Gaiole in Chianti (a lovely town a few kilometers away) where we were able to purchase food and other supplies. The villa location out in the countryside also provided peaceful setting and privacy. The pool was also inviting. Unfortunately, during our visit in late May the temperature was a little too cool to use it. We also could not have asked for a better owner - Riccardo. He was very attentive to our needs and went out of his way to provide assistance on several occasions that proved critical to our stay. A fantastic person. The historic complex dating back to 1030 - yes I said 1030. It was a delight.
The following is meant as constructive criticism and suggested improvements that could be made to make the villa more comfortable. Replace the beds with something more comfortable. Increase the shower water pressure and provide a more efficient means to heat the shower water (not sure these improvements can be made easily because of the age of the facility). We all adjusted and loved the villa and its location.

Our itinerary Tour of Tuscany 2015 Headquarters - Il Molino a Brolio 8, Gaiole in Chianti Spots/towns we visited: Firenze - Academia with David and Ufizzi Valdarno - departure from Autostrada Montevarchi - larger town by Valdarno Castello di Brolio - home of Baron Ricasole Barbischio - ancient fortified village outside of Gaiole Radda in Chianti - center of shopping and great restaurants Siena - Il Campo, Duomo and the dentist Pienza - cheese capital Montepulciano - #2 restaurant on the trip, beautiful tower and views at the top Castiglione del Lago - charming old town on the Lago Trasimeno in Umbria Cortona - hill town above the Valdichiana plains - San Francesco artifacts Panzano - on the way to Greve, wineries, turn off to San Casciano Greve in Chianti - wine center, great Sunday marketplace Castellina in Chianti - quaint hill town we passed through many times, but only stopped once, Archeological museum Pisa - leaning tower San Gimignano - busy tourist town, lots of shopping Mercatale in Val di Pesa - commercial town on the way to San Casciano San Casciano - largest of the Chianti towns, great views from the park Badia di Cultibuono - abbey outside of Gaiole, great wine, final dinner Rome (day trip with tour guide from Siena) Venice and Verona (three day trip on our own) We enjoyed every location and still did not get to see all of the Tuscan attractions. The pasta and wine were to die for. Fantastic!

Very peaceful & tranquil. Also very spacious.
Good position to visit many sights in a tuscany.

A bit remote & drive up & down to property very steep. A bit of a scramble to pull out onto road as so bumpy & in need of some repair Also many flys around the property. The pool was also in need of attention as although cleaned whilst we were there, lots of worms, bugs etc climb in & end up on bottom of pool. Not pleasant to use because of this. Shame there's no cover to pull over when not in use! The exterior patio also a bit weedy & ladder into pool a bit loose.

Castle mini tour very good. Fantastic views. Wine tour a bit disappointing. Didn't eat at restaurant but menu looked very nice. Gaiole had a nice ambience & we had too good meals. One at the pizzeria in town centre main square on our first day & another overlooking the stream parallel to main road through town. Sorry dont have names to hand. For a special meal with spectacular views try the restaurant at Badia a Coltibuono Abbey. Delicious!!

Le calme, l'espace, le charme de la maison. Une vraie evasion dans un cadre superbe, dans une maison imense et magnifique. Super accueil de Riccardo.
Cuisine un peu sous equipee. Lit de la chambre du studio tres moyen.

Castello de brolio. Gaiole in chianti

The setting was beautiful and secluded. It was spacious and reasonably well provided (no peppermill!!) . But overall we loved it.
The beds were a bit uncomfortable

The restaurant in Brolio

Beautiful house with lots of space and a marvellous kitchen. Complete privacy as the nearest neighbour is probably 1km away, at least. Location in the heart of Chianti, near Castello di Brolio and with supermarket, open air markets and other conveniences at a reasonable distance. A perfect vacation!
The only thing, a minor issue, is the smell that at times comes from what appears to be the sewers near the table outside the kitchen. After a few days we moved a table nearer the front entrance for meals, and did no longer feel the smell.

Castello di Brolio, excellent wine shop with all their wines and other produce, and the great restaurant. All the vineyards where you can try and buy wine, e.g. San Felice, Castello di Bossi etc. etc. Volpaia. The shops in Greve in Chianti, especially the fruits and vegetables shop, run by two elderly gentlemen. Look out for local markets, one every day somewhere not toonfar from the house (driving).

The villa is realy large and comfortable with specific Tuscan atmosphere, situated in a peaceful place. There is a plenty of space to play outside, additionally our children were delighted the pool. The kitchen is equipped quite well.
The owner was friendly and helpful :-)
The road leading to the house needs to be improved.

The house is rustic but beautiful. The location is incredible with wonderful views. Ricardo and his family were wonderful upon check in and during the week when we had questions. Very attentive to our needs. A great experience. It's like living in a castle.
The steep driveway needs some work.

A few nice casual restaurants in Gaioli in Chianti where they had great pizza and great service. There is a high end restaurant in one of the hotel villa's up the hill from Gaioli in Chianti. Highly recommend having at least one meal cooked in the Villa by Andrea from a catering company called Il Fiasco. Don't let the name fool you, his meals were incredible and reasonably priced. For those of you driving to the location I HIGHLY recommend a GPS. I used a Tom Tom Italy App on my iPhone. I just plugged in the GPS coordinates and it took me to the front door.