Large Stone Farmhouse in Spectacular Position with 10.6 Ha (26.5 acre) including 5.13 Ha DOCG Moscato Vineyard

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Between Alba and Acqui Terme

The Situation : The property is located on a south-facing hillside high above a scenic valley between Acqui Terme and Alba in the heart of the Moscato growing area, and enjoys a great panorama. The nearby town of Canelli is home to many important Asti cellars such as Gancia and Riccadonna and can be reached in 10 minutes. It offers excellent shopping facilities, banks, restaurants, wine bars and enotecas. The motorway is about a 25 minute drive away and the Ligurian coast can be reached within an hour.

The Vineyard : 5.13 hectares (12.8) are planted with top-quality Moscato DOCG vines, of which 4.07 (10.2 acres) are between 10 and 17 years old, and 1.06 ha (2.65 acres) are about 3 years old. In 1997 the fairly steep but well exposed vineyard was adapted to be worked with modern machinery. The annual grape harvest is about 50 tonnes (50,000 Kg). If bottled on the estate, the production would be about 50,000 bottles (containing 75 cl each) per annum. These Moscato grapes are suitable for making "Passito" wine, a very expensive desert wine which is produced only in small quantities. The estate has been very well looked after, and is in exellent condition. Subject to negotiation, agreement can be reached with a neighbouring wine-producer to maintain the estate, should the new owner wish to sub-contract these activities.There is also the option to replace the Moscato vines by DOC Barbera d'Alba. The remaining grounds of about 5 Ha (12.5 acres) are woodland.

The House : The two-floor eighteenth-century stone house is approached by its own driveway, and is built on a terrace which forms a spacious courtyard overlooking the vineyards and the valley. The L-shaped building is about 26 m long and 9 m wide (86 x 30 ft), has 80 cm thick stone walls and is built in the typical style of South Piedmontese vineyards, the so-called "cascinas", which provide living and working areas under one roof. The exterior walls of the house are currently stucco (rendered) - to bring the house back to its original character and beauty the plaster could easily be removed to expose the massive stone walls. All rooms of the house have good proportions, fantastic views and lots of light.

Accommodation

Groundfloor: The entrance door leads from the courtyard to a small hall, with doors to a spacious, rectangular living room (8 x 4 m, 26 x 13 ft) with an open fireplace, a kitchen (3.5 x 4.5m, 11 x 15 ft) with an open fireplace, a large wine cellar, a huge cantina/workshop and a "portico" (a roof supported by columns).

First Floor: Stairs lead to three spacious bedrooms - overlooking the courtyard and enjoying great views - and a small bathroom. The house has a large L-shaped hayloft which has good expansion potential for further bedrooms and bathrooms if required.

Sporting facilities: There are a number of golf courses in Southern Piedmont. The nearest, Le Colline in Acqui Terme, can be reached by car in 20 minutes. Tennis courts can be found in the nearby towns, and horseriding is also very popular, with stables nearby. The excellent network of small, tarmac-surfaced country roads makes the area very popular with cyclists. The beaches of the Italian Riviera are a one hour drive away, and popular Italian ski resorts can be reached by motorway within a one to one-and-a-half hour drive.

Our personal opinion: A very attractive property with fantastic panoramas, large enough for the creation of an additional unit for holiday lettings or for conversion into a beautiful family home.

Viewing: Strictly by appointment with the sole agents, Piedmont Properties.

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For the price and further details, contact us quoting reference P122.