Villa Loggio

Villa Loggio

Where the Marquis di Venuti once stayed, today connoisseurs can spend fantastic vacation days. We are talking about the dreamlike Palazzo Villa Loggio. Sara and Hans Ensing have fulfilled their dream of a villa in Tuscany in this perfectly restored baroque palace. Cypresses and rosemary bushes line the long driveway to their proud property. The historic guest house is surrounded by gently rolling hills that stretch between Montepulciano and Cortona. The southern Tuscan DOC Cortona is known for its excellent Syrah. However, the two newcomers are also attracting attention with other wines.

First things first: I have hardly ever seen a more beautiful vacation home in Tuscany. Here you can live the dream of a 'house in Tuscany' for a few days. Vineyards included. The very large rooms in the tastefully renovated building are inspiring, the house has no frills, but offers a lot of very beautiful ambience. Art lovers will come across interesting paintings and contemporary sculptures in the corridors and halls. In the extensive gardens, you can take a stroll to unwind, listen to the sound of the wind under the large trees or relax in the pool. The view stretches from southern Tuscany to neighboring Umbria, with the Colli Senesi and Monte Amiata in the distance, and at night you can hear the mysterious calls of owls and porcupines from time to time.

The hosts welcome us on one of the many terraces of their historic villa. The already delicate scent of the Tuscan picture-book landscape is filled with the aromas of the aperitif platter: fried wild onions, sage and basil leaves, asparagus mousse and zucchini puree, sheep mascarpone, tasty bruschetti, seafood and garden-fresh vegetables, accompanied by one or two or more (who can resist?) glasses of surprisingly fruity Traminer from their own vineyard. An excellent wine with a pleasant freshness that sets it apart from many Tuscan white wines.

Sara and Hans are always asked the same question by their guests: How did they come to this wonderful vineyard? "I started working with plants early on," explains Dutch-born Hans, "as a student I worked in a rose nursery. It's a bit like viticulture - you have to prune the plants regularly and expertly if you want to avoid overgrowth!"

"Un vino della Madonna!"

Reto Vergani's original comment on the Cabernet Sauvignon from Villa Loggio

He later worked around the globe in the financial industry. His wife Sara comes from the Harz region in northern Germany. The two met in Rome. She smiles: "Italy was part of our relationship right from the start." The two agree: "We've seen the world and traveled a lot. At some point it was enough. With Villa Loggio, we found the place where we could come to rest. Ideal for a young family that needs a nest." And how do you become a wine producer overnight? "It was a long, difficult process!" recalls Hans. First they had to familiarize themselves with local customs. Over time, Sara Ensing developed a keen sense of how to deal with Italian bureaucracy. With a wink, she says: "The worst thing that can happen to you here is an immediate positive report from a government office. A sure sign that there's going to be trouble!"

The initial struggles are forgotten. Under the name Villa Loggio, they produce remarkable wines on 50 hectares, which we enjoy with pasta with duck ragout, grilled sheep chops and vegetables. Our enthusiasm grows from bottle to bottle. Example: Cabernet Sauvignon. Reto Vergani's original comment: "Un vino della Madonna!" Villa Loggia only produced 600 bottles of this wine - Vergani bought the entire production exclusively. The 2008 Pinot Noir is also excellent. Is there a magician in the winery? Cellar master Crescenzo remains modest: "You make good wine in the vineyard, not in the cellar!" His extremely warm-hearted wife Beatrice adds: "The land around Villa Loggio is made for good wine!"

The winery is located about one kilometer from the house. Excellent treasures are stored in the barrels. The 2013 Pinot Noir is particularly exciting, and the 2013 Syrah is already impressing with its excellent balsamic, soft body. Although Villa Loggia has only been producing wine since 2005, it is already causing a stir. It will be interesting to see what the newcomers present in the coming years. One thing is certain: they are heading in the right direction. With Villa Loggio, a new star has appeared in the firmament of the wine sky. It has already risen in the tourism sky: As a guest at the winery, you can experience exactly that piece of Tuscany you have always dreamed of. What more could you want?

Text: Daminan Zingg | Image: Flavia Vergani | Source: Vergani Magazine 6