Agriturismo Frascole: Holiday on a Vineyard

A Return to an Authentic Flavour

The possibility to re-visit Agriturismo Frascole after a span of 10 years was a welcome opportunity to see how the hospitality and wine of Enrico & Elisa, the owners, had evolved.

Decidedly both the 5 self catering apartments and the selection of wines were better than ever before. As I drove up the last 2 km above the valley, I remembered one of the reasons why I had enjoyed my first visit so much - the stunning views. As you soar above the Tuscan Apennines where the colors of the green vineyards are higligheted by splashes of yellow ginestra and that awesome blue sky...your holiday stress just seems to melt away.

This husband and wife adventure began in 1992 when they found this wine producing estate close to their hometown of Dicomano; making excellent use of their college education in agricoltura they began the long haul of revitalizing and “re-qualifying” the vineyards and olive groves. In 1996, they made the decision to widen their reach and to capture the flavour of their territory not only in a bottle but also by giving life to the borgo that they now called home in the form of holiday apartments for travelers looking to get a true sense of the authentic Tuscany.

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A Land First Cultivated by the Etruscans

The antique people called Etruscans, left their mark not only in the form of temples and walls but also grape growing techniques … and then the Romans who left behind pieces of themselves some of which has been found right here in the fields that make up the Frascole vineyards (and are now featured at MAF the archeological museum in Florence) and then the there were two medieval watch towers which protected the road from Mugello, the home of the Medici family, into Casentino, the domain of the Guidi family.

And that is where the story of Elisa and Enrico begin...the transformation of what remained of the antique towers into comfortable and special holiday accommodations.

The first thing you notice as you climb the hillside of Frascole to the agriturismo is how stress seems to slip away, how the space is filled with the natural silence of the countryside and how it all seems to work together to sooth the soul. Even someone from the area, like myself, could feel the effect “Frascole” a sense of homecoming, a place of calm, the sincere communion with the territory.

Saving the “Spirit” of Frascole

In fact, the territory is a common theme in Elisa and Enrico’s work; the apartments are spaces carved out of the antique buildings and farmhouses that have been “valorized” respecting the character of the original little hamlet - the rooms may present odd shapes, the walls are sometimes over a meter thick, the wood beams and traditional fireplaces are dark and worn from years of use, even the steps and stairs have been conserved so as to preserve the “anima” (spirit) of the structures.

With a combination of apartments for 2 - 6 persons, the number of guests ensures a personalized vacation with their own garden and private spaces but the assurance of the family and owners near by.  The apartments are furnished with modern appliances, classical decor and free WiFi.

Bona Fides Flavour of Mugello

Following in the footsteps of those who cared for this land 100’s of years ago, Elisa and Enrico have dedicated themselves and their families to creating an environment that doesn’t “disrupt” the territory. It’s a reflection of who they are and it's the strategy behind their lifestyle: providing accommodations that have a flavour of authenticity and a wine and olive oil that perfume of the land. Guests are treated to a visit of the vineyards, cantina and wines which range from a traditional Chianti Rufina DOC to their newest experiments in white wine.

Dazzling Colors of Nature

The pool is an open invitation, gathering full sun almost all day long and surrounded by the olive trees and wildflowers, it is the ideal place to relax, play around and improve your tan. It will entice you spend lots of time settled in a natural alcove where the outside world seems to melt away ... but never too far. Dicomano and the town of Rufina are closeby with their traditional local restaurants cafes and local markets. In addition, one of the many day trips you can plan from Frascole includes Florence (easily reached train.) Or.  You could think of heading over to Casentino with its medieval castles, Mugello and its sunflower fields and even Chianti is close enough to make an excursion easy.

But perhaps the easiest activities to plan include exploring the local natural beauty of Frascole. A visit to the nearby archeological digs exploring the antique history of the land or the green hillsides, trails, lakes and forests. Mother Nature invites families who appreciate a simple approach, even if there is always the convenience of modern amenities such as WiFi and Sat TV for every apartment.

”The agriturismo and the flow of international guests has shown us how to make the most of our products, and not just the wines, but also the accommodations.” he adds, “ Our guests have helped us create a place that is known for its calm and relax.”

A Vacation for Everyone

A visit to Frascole is open to the general public for the wine tastings, and even if you don’t drive you can still come to visit the cantina. The agriturismo is authorized to handle transfers from the local train station and they can provide a light lunch with the visit and tastings on the property.  Just drop Elisa and Enrico an email and they will help you arrange everything.

Reserve Now at Agriturismo Frascole

The family-fun agriturismo is a country-style reprieve providing an authentic environment where it is easy to absorb the quiet and tranquility - savor the true flavors of the territory that have yet to be tainted by technology. A vacation at Agriturismo Frascole is an opportunity to enjoy a face of Tuscany not often explored while finding a interior peace.

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