Each estate has an office on the grounds, providing recommenda-
tions and helpful services for the guests, as well as group dinners,
private chefs, babysitting, and three hours of daily housecleaning
for the larger houses.
The result is the perfect marriage of luxury, comfort, and authen-
ticity. The people running the estates make you feel as if you're more
than valued guests; it's more like you're staying with friends.
During the first week of July, our party of 12 has chosen Sassaia, on
the Chiarentana half of the estate. A massive stone farmhouse built
in the 1930s, it now sports five bedrooms in the main house (three
of which have ensuite baths) and a separate smaller house with two
additional bedrooms and bathrooms. There is a large kitchen, dining
room, and living room, and a large family room on the lower level.
Each house has a pool and washer and dryer and comes stocked with
all the essentials, such as dishware, toiletries, coffee pots, and more.
For 100 euros, guests can order the first shopping, which stocks your
kitchen with enough food to get you through the first couple of
days—milk, coffee, bread, tea, sugar, yogurt, and fruit. The farm's
own olive oil and a couple of bottles of wine are a gift from your
hosts.
