Agriturismo La Montecchia

The wine estate La Montecchia lies just south of Padua and on the borders of a National Park, within easy reach of such cultural meccas as Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Ferrara, Mantua and Rovigo and the famous Palladio Villas. The wine from La Montecchia has increasingly been winning accolades from leading wine critics all over the world, an added attraction for our guests who can freely taste and discuss the production in the estate's wine shop. Guests of la Montecchia are granted a 20% on the high quality wines produced on the estate La Montecchia is a medieval hamlet which grows lively at the time of harvest.

Adjacent to the estate (3 minutes on foot) lies th La Montecchia golf club which has an olimpic size pool (25 x 10 mt) and a restaurant wich was given a Michelin star in November 2008. The pool is open to guests 4 days a week, from Tuesday to Friday. A small above ground pool (4,50m) is available in the garden of la Montecchia. The closest village - Selvazzano - is at a distance of 3 km. The Italian cuisine can be found at its best in the Veneto region. A list of restaurants of the surrounding area can be found in each of the houses. The owner of the Montecchia estate, Count Emo Capodilista, a trend-setter in the Veneto, has restored the 4 individual cottages on the estate with flair and modern comfort. Each house has a personality of its own and its own garden where you will want to wine and dine.

Casa del Camino (sleeps 2): Casa del Camino is a charming ground floor apartment flooded with light. It lies next to the offices of the estate. While one might see the odd visitor during the day (cars are limited), in the evenings (in fact as from 7 pm), there will be no one around and guests will be able to sip a glass of wine on the bench in front of their living room. A comunicating door with Casa di Nando (sleeps 4) can be opened.

Casa del Prete (sleeps 4 to 5): a couple of steps and a wrought iron gate lead into the garden of the Casa del Prete, putting an agreable distance between the daily activities of the estate and the charming two-storied building. As the name indicates, the castle priest once lived here. The hall, a spacious, comfortable sitting room, the kitchen, the dining room and a bathroom are on the ground floor, with light pouring in through the windows from both sides of the house. A stairway leads up to two bedrooms on the first floor, one with a bathroom en suite. A private garden with a linden tree is equipped with a table for outdoor meals.

Casa di Nando (sleeps 4): named after the farmer who last lived here, the Casa di Nando is a two-storied house with a private garden, attached to the historical tasting rooms of the estate. The garden is bordered by a hedge and the large table makes an inviting spot for outdoor meals. The light, airy, whitewashed rooms furnished with charming rural antiques belonging to the family provide a sunny, friendly as well as very comfortable accomodation. The house was fully restored in 2001.

Casa di Maria (sleeps 4 to 5): the two-storied Casa di Maria lies in one of the outhouses of the estate with a wonderful view onto the castle. The garden belonging to the house - a lawn with fruit trees, surrounded by a hedge and furnished with a table and reclining chairs - is reached across the gravel courtyard. A living room with dining table, a large kitchen and a bathroom are on the ground floor. The two bedrooms are on the first floor.

The immense cultural whealth and variety of Venetia is the main reason for visiting this area. Montecchia's strategic position makes for many an inspiring day trip to Padova, Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Ferrara, lake Garda as well as Este, Montagnana, Monselice and Arqua' Petrarca in the immediate vicinity.

The Venetian Villas: the hinterland of Venice is famous for the numerous villas (apparently more than 3.000) built between the 15th and the 19th century by whealthy venetians. Some of them are open to the public, for instance Villa Barbaro in Maser, Villa Emo in Fanzolo, and the Villa La Rotonda ust outside Vicenza. Other interesting villas are the villa Valmarana with frescoes by Tiepolo, the Catajo castle and villa Barbarigo which has a baroque garden with boxwood labyrinth. The main cultural landmarks of northern Italy: Montecchia’s strategic location makes easy day trips to Padua, Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Ferrara, lake Garda, Este, Montagnana, Monselice, or Arqua’Petrarca. Each of these towns offers highly interesting sight-seeing. In Padua you will not want to miss „Cappella degli Scrovegni“ with wall to wall frescoes by Giotto. This work of art is considered to be the beginning of the Renaissance. The Pinacoteca of Padua also has the Emo Capodilista collection on show which was given to the Museum by the family, one of the oldest of Padua.

The Spas at Abano: the town of Abano Terme lies 2 km from Montecchia. In Abano water rich in minerals rises to the surface at a temperature of 70° to 80°C. A half or full day at one of the many spas is a wonderful way to recuperate your inner strength. The wines of La Montecchia: the wine from La Montecchia has increasingly been winning accolades from leading wine critics all over the world. In 2008 their wine Donna Daria was awarded the highest Italian qualification, the „tre bicchieri“ (three glasses) of the guide Gambero Rosso Slow Food. Guests can taste and buy the wines of La Montecchia on the premises (special rates for guests).