It all starts where the road ends. At the top of a hill, with views as limited as the sea at the end of one’s horizon. This horizon though, overlooking the cypress trees, beholds until it drops into the blue Tuscan waters. Which explains why the climate here is in a zone of its own. One is surrounded by hills with a Mediterranean breeze. Perfect.

Conti di San Bonifacio is a small, privately-owned Tuscan Vineyard and Wine Resort Hotel, nestled in the beautiful hills of the Maremma region in Italy. The estate was purchased by owners Count & Countess, Manfredo & Sarah di San Bonifacio, in 2002. A restoration project began to renovate the old farmhouse that stood on top of the commanding hills, into the beautiful villa that stands today. In 2003, Manfredo & Sarah set to work to plant 7 hectares of vines on the estate grounds in order to achieve their dream of producing Organic Super-Tuscan Wines.

Conti di San Bonifacio Wine Resort – A Tuscan affair

Conti di San Bonifacio now produces three hand-crafted organic wines, from a mixture of varietals planted on the estate, including Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, with the first harvest in 2006.

Conti di San Bonifacio Wine Resort – A Tuscan affair

As we are introduced to the estate by manager Rafael Luiz, this splendour of magnificence is all about a boutique experience. Originally Conti di San Bonifacio Wine Resort was acquired by the Count and the Countess with the intention of having a summer residence for their family. Tones of passion and dedication were brought in to transform and old farm storehouse into a gorgeous rustic still chick villa with only three rooms. Years went by and the Counts saw the potentiality of allowing other people to make use of the property while they were away and this is how their private villa turned into a luxury destination featuring 7 unique rooms today. They are divided into 5 categories while accommodating a total of 20 people. There are no two rooms alike and they all stand in harmony with the Tuscan feel of the place. Carefully designed and decorated by Countess Sarah, all units embrace the philosophy of their creators: ultimate comfort with upscale facilities and a warm and relaxing atmosphere. Acres of chestnut beams, terracotta floors, white cow skins strewn across floors, linens and unforgettable details everywhere you look. The Wine Resort was not conceived just as a luxury accommodation but as the destination itself. The variety of activities at disposal provide guests with the possibility of enhancing their experience to an utmost level. Maremma has a very rich story which has led to providing a different way of doing tourism. Traveller can immerge into its tradition by participating in the ancient methods of beekeeping, cheese making, distillation, butchering or winemaking or satisfy their ambitions and be assisted by our Concierge to arrange for a journey in a Ferrari, a flight in a hot air balloon, a day trip on a boat or an excursion to underground grottos.

Conti di San Bonifacio Wine Resort – A Tuscan affair

The Restaurant at Conti di San Bonifacio Wine Resort offers Tuscan cooking at its finest. “We source all of our ingredients locally and support the practices of sustainable farming and agriculture. The cuisine we offer within the resort combines respect of the local ingredients and traditions with an innovative twist, with a continuous search for products at zero km. We grow our own herbs on the property, press our own olive oil from our olive groves, and make our own organic wine from our vineyard. Our cooking reflects the spirit of tradition in which the raw material is enhanced by a permanent respect of natural flavours, the research of old recipes in which we inspire our new creations and the willingness of always improving ourselves.”

Conti di San Bonifacio Wine Resort – A Tuscan affair

The farm manager, Ilario Veronesi, works closely with the highly acclaimed, Tuscan oenologist, Luca D’attoma, to ensure the vines are in top condition and producing the best quality fruit. The winemaking process at Conti di San Bonifacio follows a very hands-on approach, with emphasis on handpicking and selection of grapes as well as barrel fermentation to ensure the highest quality in the finished product. Each wine is aged both in barriques and in bottle before being released to the market.

Conti di San Bonifacio Wine Resort – A Tuscan affair

As we glance at our Vineyard Suite for the last time, we realize it is a place we want to return to. And who knows what new we might find here on the next visit.

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