Castello di Vicarello

The Maremma occupies a distinctive position within Tuscany. Less visited than Chianti and quieter than the Val d'Orcia, it remains a landscape of forests, vineyards, olive groves and hilltop villages where agriculture continues to shape daily life. Castello di Vicarello sits at the heart of this landscape, overlooking the countryside near the village of Poggi del Sasso.

The castle dates to the 12th century, when it formed part of the defensive network of the Republic of Siena. By the late twentieth century, however, the property had fallen into serious disrepair. The Baccheschi Berti family acquired the estate during the 1980s and embarked on an eighteen-year restoration that gradually transformed the abandoned fortress into a place to live, cultivate and eventually welcome guests.

What distinguishes Vicarello is the degree of personal involvement visible throughout the estate. The restoration preserved original stone walls, vaulted ceilings and historic architectural details while avoiding the uniformity often associated with luxury hospitality projects. Each suite reflects the family's travels, interests and collecting habits, creating interiors that feel individual rather than designed to a formula.

The estate extends across vineyards, olive groves and cultivated land that continue to operate as a genuine agricultural enterprise. Wine and olive oil production remain integral to life at Vicarello, reinforcing a long Tuscan tradition in which hospitality, agriculture and residence exist together rather than separately.

For NOTES, Castello di Vicarello represents the enduring value of stewardship. It is less a hotel than a family project expressed through architecture, landscape and hospitality — a place where the experience remains inseparable from the people who created it.