Nestled in the heart of Chianti, Tuscany, Villa Ardore is a beautifully restored 16th-century farmhouse blending historic charm with modern elegance.
Tuscany is always a good idea, with its iconic patchwork quilt landscape, cypress alleys and spectacular villas. But if you’re trying to narrow down your accommodation options, consider Villa Ardore. This new property offers a quintessential Tuscan experience combined with immersive design-focused activities.
Nestled in the heart of Chianti, Villa Ardore is owned by Los Angeles-based Christian Scali and Stephen Lewis. “Ardore” means “loving passion” in Italian, as renovating this 16th-century farmhouse was a true labor of love for the couple. The pair bought the “dowdy” former bed-and-breakfast during the pandemic and embarked on an ambitious 18-month renovation. Their goal was to respect the bones and heritage of the building while modernizing it. “We didn’t want it to feel like a museum or grandma’s house,” says Scali. “Modern people can live their modern lives here.”
Soak up the views of the rolling hills from the spa’s whirlpool.
Scali and Lewis worked with leading Florence architect Massimo Pieratelli to revamp the property, which opened in summer 2023. “We wanted to preserve rustic elements but do it with a high level of luxury,” explains Scali. Original details such as exposed beams and terracotta ceiling tiles were left intact, along with perfectly imperfect centuries-old curved interior stone walls.
The renovation added a modern spa with a whirlpool overlooking rolling hills, as well as a new kitchen and updated bedrooms. The main villa’s six bedrooms are simple and luxurious, with en-suite bathrooms clad in marble or travertine. In the adjacent converted barn, additional guest rooms feature a lighter color palette and reclaimed hardwood floors sourced from an Indian school — some still bearing hand-carved graffiti.
Sip your way into la dolce vita with an aperitivo at the villa’s reclaimed antique Parisian bar.
The heart of the property is the communal living room, anchored by a reclaimed antique Parisian bar and an expansive stone fireplace. Oversized artwork from local artists is showcased throughout the villa, while handwoven rugs lend warmth and texture. Outside, lazy afternoons can be spent by the saltwater infinity pool, framed by a landscape that is beautiful and edible, thanks to persimmon, olive and lemon trees. Herb and vegetable gardens along with a chicken coop provide fresh food for the kitchen.
Start your morning with a sun-drenched al fresco breakfast.
Villa Ardore operates like a mini boutique hotel that is rented in its entirety, and guests don’t have to think about a thing. Breakfast is a lavish feast prepared by a former Four Seasons chef, and dinners rotate between fresh pizzas made by a “pizzaiolo” at the outdoor oven, and gourmet multi-course fare. The atmosphere is intentionally relaxed and the owners want guests to truly feel at home here. In other words, it’s totally fine to hang out in the kitchen in your pajamas while drinking tea and chatting with the chef.
Activities are tailored to guests’ interests, whether it’s driving a supercar along Chianti’s scenic roads or learning the art of pasta-making. Villa Ardore excels at design-focused experiences highlighting Tuscany’s artisanal craft heritage. Guests can enjoy a tour of Antico Setificio Fiorentino, which has been creating handwoven silk brocade, damask and taffeta since 1726, and is normally closed to the public. You’ll see a vertical loom designed by Leonardo da Vinci, and antique jacquard looms operating with punch cards.
Il Torchio in Florence showcases traditional Italian crafts through its marbled paper and handmade leather notebooks.
Our group enjoyed an outdoor ceramic painting session at the studio of Nicoletta Penco, tried leather book-binding at Il Torchio and enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the family-owned artisanal winery Poggio Amorelli, all bringing us one step closer to living la dolce vita, even if just for a few unforgettable days.
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