Why Villa Petriolo Is One of Tuscany’s Most Magical Sustainable Hotels
I’ve stayed in some unforgettable places across Italy, but few linger in memory quite like Villa Petriolo. Set among the rolling hills of Tuscany, less than an hour from Florence, this restored 15th-century estate was once a self‑sustaining country home for a wealthy Florentine family. Just a short drive from Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci, Villa Petriolo is nestled in the same Tuscan hills that shaped the Renaissance genius, adding an extra layer of cultural resonance to your stay.
Today, it’s a luxury eco‑resort that marries centuries of agricultural tradition with forward‑thinking sustainability. It’s the kind of place where you might wake up to birdsong over vineyards, join a truffle hunt led by a local guide, and end the evening with a Negroni beside the pool.
I arrived with my dog Poppy. She’s a travel-savvy Chiweenie who has flown more than 150 United Airlines flights in four years and holds an EU pet passport from Spain. Poppy is a service animal trained to assist me with a disability, but Villa Petriolo is dog-friendly, so she got to work her side hustle job as a pet travel creator with her stay there. At check-in, she was warmly welcomed as an honored guest. That thoughtful hospitality—for people, pets, and the planet—is what makes Villa Petriolo feel truly exceptional.
Inside the rooms: Where Tuscan heritage meets sustainable luxury
Tucked into Tuscany’s rolling hills, the Colombaia Master Suite at Villa Petriolo offers Renaissance-era opulence and five-star comfort — just ask Poppy.
Villa Petriolo’s stone buildings date back to the Renaissance, but the current iteration is a model of 21st-century sustainability. The estate underwent a meticulous restoration that preserved historic details while introducing a host of innovative green practices. Today, it’s entirely energy self-sufficient thanks to a circular system that includes solar panels, geothermal heating, and water recovery infrastructure — a rarity in rural Italy.
From the handmade Tuscan tile floors to the vintage furniture restored by local artisans, everything has been chosen with care. The gardens are planted with native species to support pollinators. The lavender used in the spa grows right outside. Even the soap is produced on-site.
The design never feels forced. It’s elegant but warm — think wrought-iron balconies, reclaimed wood beams, and soft linens in earthy tones. The rooms vary in layout, but all feature eco-friendly materials and thoughtful touches like glass refillable water bottles and curated books about regional culture.
I stayed in the Colombaia Master Suite, a romantic hideaway in the estate’s former dovecote with 360-degree views over vineyards and olive groves. Waking up to those vistas, with Poppy curled beside me, felt like living inside a postcard. The deep soaking tub facing a storybook window was just one of many highlights. I truly felt like royalty in this suite.
Across the property, Villa Petriolo offers a range of stylish and sustainability-forward accommodations. While each room is unique, they all channel the same rustic-meets-refined aesthetic, mixing locally crafted furnishings with modern comforts. Whether you’re in a classic suite or one of the more contemporary rooms, expect vineyard views, quiet luxury, and that rare feeling of being both off-grid and deeply cared for.
A taste of Tuscany, from truffles to honey
t Villa Petriolo’s Michelin Green Star restaurant in Tuscany, chefs craft handmade pasta dishes using ingredients grown directly on the estate.
The food at Villa Petriolo is a highlight unto itself — as soulful as it is sophisticated. The estate includes an organic farm that supplies the majority of ingredients for its restaurants, including olive oil, vegetables, herbs, and honey from on-site hives. They also raise heritage-breed Cinta Senese pigs and keep chickens for eggs.
The flagship restaurant, PS Ristorante, is helmed by Chef Simone Cipriani and has earned a Michelin Green Star for its sustainability practices. It’s a destination in its own right — but you won’t find stuffy service or overly precious plating here. Instead, expect bold, rooted flavors presented with elegance: pasta made from local heirloom grains, wild herbs foraged just hours before they’re served, and house-aged meats cured in small batches.
Breakfasts take place on a sun-dappled terrace overlooking the gardens, where the scent of rosemary and lemon wafts through the air. I still think about the housemade ricotta with wildflower honey — Poppy eyed it greedily, though she was perfectly content with her gourmet dog treats.
Villa Petriolo also produces its own wine and grappa. Guests can tour the vineyards and participate in tastings, with everything from Chianti-style reds to experimental whites aged in amphora. The estate’s winemaking philosophy is natural and minimal intervention, focusing on terroir and traditional varietals.
Truffle hunting, pasta making, and other unforgettable Tuscan experience
Fresh pasta is made by hand during a cooking class at Villa Petriolo. Guests can book experiences like this during their stay.
What sets Villa Petriolo apart is its immersive, hands-on approach to hospitality. You’re not just here to sleep and eat — you’re invited to participate, to engage, to learn.
In the early morning, guests can join a truffle hunter and his dogs on a walk through the estate’s woods, where white and black truffles grow beneath the oak roots. It’s muddy, meditative, and surprisingly thrilling when the dog starts to dig. The truffles found often make their way onto the evening’s menu.
Later, you might try your hand at pasta-making during a culinary workshop in the open-air demo kitchen, or meet the estate’s falconer, who introduces you to the regal birds that help control pests naturally.
Horseback riding through the Tuscan hills offers a uniquely intimate way to experience the landscape. It’ll usually be facilitated by a nearby riding school, with pick-up and drop-off arranged by the villa.
Other experiences, such as e-bike adventures through rolling countryside vistas and a helicopter thrill ride above the estate, are also offered — most guided and with flexible group arrangements.
Relax by the pool or indulge at the Tuscan spa
Villa Petriolo’s spa offers luxurious treatments like this mud therapy using locally sourced ingredients from the Tuscan countryside. Let me know if you’d like an additional image caption variant, or if you want to work this photo into a gallery instead of under the H2.
After a day spent outdoors, there’s no better way to unwind than by the hotel’s elegant outdoor pool, which sits framed by views of rolling farmland and forested hills. Lounge chairs are set up for maximum relaxation, and poolside service means you don’t have to change out of your robe to enjoy a glass of Chianti or a plate of local cheese.
For deeper restoration, Villa Petriolo offers a small but expertly curated menu of treatments. The focus is on natural ingredients and sensory reset — think Tuscan clay facials, olive oil-based massages, and herbal infusions that smell like the gardens outside. I booked a tension-release massage after a day of falconry and left feeling like I’d shed a layer of city stress.
Community-first luxury
The social heart of Villa Petriolo — guests gather in the courtyard, where aperitivo flows and conversations spark new friendships.
One of Villa Petriolo’s guiding principles is the belief that true sustainability must benefit the broader community. The estate employs nearly 100 people from surrounding villages, many of whom are artisans, farmers, or hospitality professionals with deep regional ties.
There’s also an educational arm that partners with local schools to teach sustainable agriculture and culinary traditions. The farm even supplies produce and eggs to nearby restaurants that can’t grow their own.
This ethos permeates every detail of the experience. There’s no greenwashing here, just a clear, consistent commitment to supporting the land and the people who call it home. And that adds a layer of meaning to every sunset spritz or handmade pasta bite.
Easy day trips from Villa Petriolo
While it’s tempting to spend your entire stay basking in the peaceful rhythm of Villa Petriolo, the hotel’s location in Cerreto Guidi makes it an ideal base for exploring some of Tuscany’s most iconic spots. Just 40 minutes away, Florence awaits with its Renaissance art, Duomo views, and leather market chaos. Prefer somewhere quieter?
Head to Lucca for a bike ride along the historic city walls or to San Miniato, a charming hill town famous for its white truffles — and home to a seasonal truffle festival worth planning around.
For fans of history and invention, a trip to the nearby village of Vinci — yes, that Vinci — offers a fascinating look at the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci. His childhood home is now a museum, and the surrounding vineyards and olive groves feel almost unchanged since the Renaissance.
If you go: How to visit Villa Petriolo in Tuscany
Villa Petriolo’s organic gardens and vineyards showcase its commitment to sustainability and the natural beauty of the Tuscan countryside.
Villa Petriolo is located in Cerreto Guidi, a small town about 45 minutes from Florence by car. The property offers free parking, and transfers can be arranged from major hubs like Pisa or Florence airports.
There are plenty of luxury hotels in Tuscany, but few manage to marry indulgence with intention quite like Villa Petriolo. From truffle hunting and falconry to farm-to-table feasts and sunset spritzes, the experience is rich with flavor and grounded in purpose.
