In today’s world, life rarely slows down. Between demanding work schedules, constant notifications, and the pressure to always stay connected. Even when we travel, it can be hard to turn everything off. We rush from place to place, chasing experiences while our minds remain tethered to the noise we tried to leave behind.
But every so often, you discover a place where the world quiets. A place where the air feels cleaner, where nature surrounds you, and where the simple act of breathing deeply feels restorative. These are the places that embody the art of quiet luxury; where comfort is effortless, hospitality is thoughtful, and the greatest indulgence is the chance to truly let everything go.
Across Italy, these oases exist. From the vineyard-covered hills of Piemonte to the untamed landscapes of Tuscany’s Maremma and the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, these retreats share a common thread. Each is guided by women whose visions blend hospitality, sustainability, and deep respect for the land. Here, biodiversity thrives, nature sets the rhythm, and luxury reveals itself in its simplest form: space, silence, and the timeless beauty of vineyards stretching to the horizon.
In each of these places, the natural surroundings are not simply scenery but the heart of the experience. Vineyards and sweeping landscapes shape the views, the food reflects the land, and hospitality is expressed through thoughtful details and genuinely welcoming spirits.
Piemonte: Quiet Luxury in the Hills of Barbaresco at Dai Grésy
Imagine a night spent in pure silence. No street noise, no chatter, no demands. Just the soft whisper of vines in the wind and the distant hum of nature. High above the hills of Barbaresco, the mind begins to clear, the weight of deadlines, emails, and endless to-do lists slipping away with each breath of fresh air.
This is the kind of stillness one hopes for on every vacation but rarely, truly, find. Welcome to Dai Grésy, a private oasis reborn from a centuries-old family home. Set within the rolling vines of the Marchesi di Grésy estate, this luxurious agriturismo offers just nine rooms and two private apartments, blending historic charm with understated modern elegance.
Today, along with her family, Ludovica di Grésy helps guide the estate, transforming the family’s historic home into a retreat where guests can experience the quiet beauty of the Barbaresco hills. “We grew up in a large family where the doors were always open,” she explains. “It is no coincidence that our agriturismo has been designed as a big home. We see it as the perfect place to welcome people and care for them genuinely, just as you would in your own home—a place to share and enjoy life.”
The Marchesi di Grésy family’s roots in Barbaresco run deep. The Martinenga estate, a natural amphitheater of vines and the only monopole in Barbaresco with its prestigious MGA designation, has long been a benchmark for Nebbiolo from the region. Originally an oak forest before Roman times, the land evolved over centuries from battleground to villa to working farm.
By the twentieth century, the family had developed a deep understanding of the nuances of their vineyards, becoming early pioneers of vinifying individual crus separately.
When the family’s historic home began to fall into disrepair, the decision was made not only to restore it, but to share it. Today, the house has been carefully transformed into Dai Grésy, offering guests the opportunity to experience the landscape that has defined the estate for generations.
From the outside, Dai Grésy retains the elegance of a traditional country home. Inside, the design is intentionally quiet. Warm woods, natural materials, and soft minimalist touches create a sense of calm. Sustainability is woven into the details, from glass water bottles in every room to bamboo slippers awaiting guests in the spa.
True to agriturismo tradition, the food celebrates the bounty of the surrounding region. Most ingredients are sourced locally, many directly from the estate’s own gardens. Meals are simple yet refined, allowing the flavors of Piemonte to shine while preserving the intimate, home-like atmosphere of the retreat.
Below the main house, a private spa offers another layer of serenity. A steam room, sauna, saltwater infinity pool, and vineyard-view lounges invite guests to slow down completely, surrounded by the quiet rhythm of the Langhe hills.
At Dai Grésy, luxury reveals itself in the most subtle ways: the stillness of the landscape, the thoughtful restoration of history, and the feeling of being completely immersed in nature.
Tuscany: Biodiversity and Silence at La Maliosa
Further south in Tuscany’s Maremma, serenity takes on a wilder, more expansive form. Here the landscape feels open and untamed, where vineyards coexist with forests and olive groves and are alive with biodiversity.
At Fattoria La Maliosa, Antonella Manuli has created a vision of wine and hospitality deeply rooted in respect for nature. The estate is more than a vineyard; it is a living ecosystem where regenerative farming, biodiversity, and careful stewardship of the land shape every decision.
One of the most striking expressions of this philosophy is the Monte Cavallo vineyard. Planted by Manuli herself, the vineyard rises above the surrounding landscape with sweeping views that stretch across the Maremma toward the sea and the historic town of Saturnia. At the top, a simple wooden deck offers a place to pause and take in the quiet vastness of the countryside.
Silence here feels almost tangible. The wind moves through the vines, birds circle overhead, and the air carries the scent of wild herbs and Mediterranean vegetation. It is the kind of stillness that invites you to slow down and simply breathe.
Manuli has long explored ways for visitors to experience this landscape more intimately. Earlier projects included a small boutique hotel in nearby Saturnia as well as the estate’s distinctive Star Boxes, simple wooden structures placed among the vineyards where guests can sleep beneath the open sky and wake with the sunrise over the vines.
The La Maliosa Wine Villas represent the newest evolution of this vision. Featuring three private villas, they sit quietly within the vineyards, offering guests an immersive experience surrounded by nature.
As Manuli explains, “When people stay at the La Maliosa villas, the experience is about reconnecting with nature and with themselves. There is only silence, a light breeze, the scent of Mediterranean herbs, and the chance to sip our natural wines while enjoying simple local foods.”
Arriving at the estate marks the beginning of a slower rhythm. Visitors leave their cars behind and are given small electric carts to travel across the property, moving silently past vineyards, olive groves, and wild landscapes before reaching the villas.
Private tastings and cooking classes are offered in the estate’s tasting room, where guests can explore the philosophy behind La Maliosa’s wines and agricultural practices. Yet the true luxury here lies in the landscape itself – the clean air, the expansive views, and the sense of being completely immersed in nature.
At La Maliosa, hospitality is guided by a simple idea: that the most meaningful experiences come not from excess, but from connection to the land, to the rhythms of nature, and to the quiet beauty of the Maremma countryside.
Sicily: Volcanic Energy and Citrus Perfume at Zash Country Boutique Hotel & Spa
On the eastern slopes of Mount Etna, about thirty miles north of Catania, Zash Country Boutique Hotel & Spa sits quietly between two powerful natural forces: the sea and the volcano. Surrounded by citrus groves and lush gardens, the estate offers a peaceful retreat where nature, history, and thoughtful hospitality come together.
The property has belonged to the Maugeri family since the 1930s, when Giuseppe Maugeri purchased it as a late-summer country home. At the time, the estate included both vineyards and citrus orchards, but over the years citrus proved better suited to the land’s lower elevation and proximity to the sea.
More recently, the family has breathed new life into the historic farmhouse, transforming it into a refined boutique hotel while preserving its agricultural heritage. The project brought together the original manor house and the ancient palmento, the stone structure where grapes were once pressed to produce must before being stored in large tanks.
Today, that space has been reimagined as the hotel’s restaurant and lounge bar, where thick stone walls, curved entryways, and the original oak pressing beam remain as reminders of the estate’s past.
Sixteen rooms and suites are spread across the property, some located within the historic manor house and others created within former agricultural spaces where wine was once stored. The design is intentionally restrained where white tones evoke silence, grey accents reflect Etna’s volcanic stone, and natural wood elements tie the spaces back to the surrounding countryside.
The gardens are filled with the scent of Sicilian citrus trees, their blossoms perfuming the air throughout the property. Hammocks hang in quiet corners of the garden, offering private places to rest beneath the shade. Nearby, the pool sits between the sea and the volcano, surrounded by citrus trees and open sky, while a private spa offers yet another sanctuary for relaxation.
Zash is also home to a Michelin-starred restaurant led by Chef Giuseppe Raciti, whose cuisine blends creativity with Sicilian tradition.
The estate remains deeply connected to the Maugeri family’s agricultural roots. Renato Maugeri, the son of Giuseppe, continues the family legacy alongside his three daughters Carla, Michela, and Paola, who accompany him in every decision. Three accomplished professional women, they express through the family’s wines and the hotel the intimate relationship between the land’s calling and values rooted in environmental and social sustainability.
“For us, Etna is more than a place to grow wine,” expressed Carla Maugeri. “It is where our family history, the volcano, the forest, and the sea all come together. Through Zash and our vineyards, we want guests to feel that connection to the land.”
Just fifteen minutes from Zash lies the family winery, Maugeri, located on Etna’s eastern slopes near the village of Milo. There, the family has replanted vineyards and revived their winemaking tradition. Two vineyards define the estate: one facing the volcano and the other facing the sea, capturing the unique microclimates and contrasting influences that make Etna such a remarkable wine region.
Together, Zash and Maugeri reflect a vision where hospitality, nature, and family history remain deeply intertwined.
Across Piemonte, Tuscany, and Sicily, these vineyard retreats offer more than beautiful places to stay. Each reflects a thoughtful approach to hospitality shaped by women who are deeply connected to their land. Surrounded by nature, guided by sustainability, and grounded in quiet simplicity, they offer something increasingly rare: the space to truly slow down.
Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison is a freelance writer and contributes to numerous publications, as well as her blog at www.pleasethepalate.com. She is the host of the podcast WineSoundtrack USA where she interviews winemakers and winery owners who share their stories, insights, and some humorous anecdotes. She also co-hosts a wine video series on YouTube called Crush On This. Allison holds a master’s degree in International Communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service. She also holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) and is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers.
