Villa Monteleone

Situated in the heart of the Valpolicella wine country, equidistant from Verona and Lake Garda, Gargagnagno is a medieval village made up mostly of grape growers and wine producers. Signora Lucia, born in Colombia, and her late husband, a famous American neurosurgeon, settled here with the dream of producing fine wines. They bought the 300- year-old Villa Monteleone and began producing Valpolicella wines including Amarone and Recioto. Today, Lucia continues to produce wine and also offers hospitality in three very large bedrooms of her home. The San Vito Suite has direct access to the front courtyard, a mix of family furnishings and a bathroom with sauna. Upstairs the Santa Lena room has bright blue sponged walls and a terrace while the San Paolo has antique furniture. Both have their private bathrooms across the hall. An adjoining living room can be transformed into an additional bedroom for a family. Breakfast is served out in the wooded garden which for its variety of ancient trees and vegetation has been listed as a national monument, or within the dining room with its fireplace. The wine production and cellars are situated directly below the house, and wine tastings are offered. The informal ambiance is that of a home.