Il Castello

In the heart of the Veneto region, south of Vicenza, you find the Castello winery and estate, a handsome 15th-century villa watching proudly over the sweet town of Barbarano Vicentino and the home of the Marinoni family for the past century. Signora Elda, along with her two young children, Lorenzo and Maddalena, carries on the tradition. The large walled courtyard with manicured Renaissance garden is bordered by the family’s home, the guesthouse (originally the farmer’s quarters), and converted barn, where concerts and banquets are organized. A lovely courtyard overlooks the family’s expansive vineyards from which top-quality (D.O.C.G.) red wines are produced. The independent two-story guesthouse overlooking the garden can be rented out as one house or divided into three apartments. Each apartment has one or two bedrooms, bathroom, and kitchenette with sitting area, and is decorated simply but pleasantly with the family’s furnishings. This is an excellent, economical base from which to visit the beautiful Veneto region. It’s an easy drive to Padua and Venice where you may opt to leave your car and take the train.