The Agricola Radicondoli Hunting Estate in Italy

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The Town of Radicondoli

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Less than an hour’s drive from Siena through the scenic Tuscan countryside, is the ancient walled town of Radicondoli. Its narrow, cobbled streets lead one to small cafes, shops, and restaurants. Annual music and art festivals attract visitors from far and wide.

Radicondoli exemplifies the authentic Tuscan values and lifestyle evidenced by a landscape of olive groves, vineyards, abundant agriculture, and hunting. Fresh produce, hand-pressed olive oil, artisanal cheeses, wine, locally raised livestock and poultry, and abundant wild game, define a rich culinary tradition which draws an appreciative audience from the world over.

Perched on a hilltop, the town has a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys and in the distance, plumes of steam rise gracefully from geothermal sites producing clean energy for the region. From the heights of the walled town the morning mist is seen rising from a valley which reaches to the distant mountains. Before us we see a sparkling lake (1.42), agricultural fields, forests, and elegant hand-hewn Tuscan stone architecture comprise Radicondoli Agricola, an exclusive private hunting estate stretching across the vast valley and hills beyond.

Since its founding in the 16th century, the estate has been a self-sustaining community with as many as 300 residents working the land, growing wheat, fruits & vegetables, and raising livestock. 26 rustic structures provided shared housing for the many families there over the centuries. The newer structures, built in the 19th and 20th centuries are the largest and remain as modernized residences and supporting structures for the estate owners and staff in residence.

The majestic lake mirrors the image of surrounding hills and its 450,000-cubic meter capacity supplies an infrastructure of underground piping fed by a central pumping station with water for 175 hectares of hydrants and sprinkler irrigation. In 2011 a photovoltaic solar power facility was installed with over 415-kilowatt peak production capacity, well in excess of the estate’s power requirements. The excess power is sold to the municipality.

In 1973 the estate of approximately 2400 acres, was acquired by its current owners who envisioned it as a self-sustaining agricultural enterprise and hunting estate. During this period, as many as 2500 cattle and brood mare were maintained on the estate and sold locally or to Russia and South America. The shining rooftops of stables, barns, silos and workshops related to the cattle and agricultural activities can be seen from above and occupy over 105,000 square feet.

Gently sloping fields produce over half a million pounds of cereals including wheat, millet, and sorghum annually. Over 8 acres of olive orchards provide olive oil for private consumption. Located in the Chianti Putto zone, there is potential for a vineyard and winery.

Among all these wonderful features of the estate there is one more which is utterly unique. In 1950, a wildlife and hunting reserve was established within the estate comprising over 1725 acres of fenced area for wildlife. A resident game keeper monitors and maintains the hunting reserve offering an abundance of wild boar, mouflon, red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, hare, and pheasant. Additionally one can observe fox, wolf, badger, porcupine, and marteen, throughout.

Though subject to the National Institute for Wildlife annual quotas, it is the only reserve in all of Italy where both year round hunting and night hunting are permitted. At dawn or dusk, a hike on one of the forest trails will reveal a sounder of boar, herds of deer, a nest of pheasant, while Salmonate trout and water foul populate the lake. Approximately 10 hunting towers and 20 ground stands are positioned strategicaly throughout the property for hunting and observation.

Echoes of centuries past resonate in partial ruins of original structures discovered while exploring the meadows and forests. Restoring these marvelous structures to contemporary standards is a growing and profitable trend thoughout Tuscany.

Through a gated entrance within the estate, a quarter-mile drive leads to the main house entrance gate. Constructed on the most ideal site overlooking valleys on three sides, the 19th century main residence exemplifies the elegance and romance of the life of Tuscan gentry. Crafted of hand-hewn stone, tile roofed and surrounded by olive trees and lawns, it sits in regal command of the valleys below. An antique ornate brass doorknob feels cool and substantial in one’s hand as a heavy door opens to richly crafted tile and woodwork. To the right of the elegant foyer the gun room with its beautiful cabinetry, serves also as a study with windows looking out at the garden and valley beyond. A wide graceful staircase welcomes one from the foyer to the upper floor with its six bedrooms with en suite baths organized into 3 suites. The ground floor comprises a formal dining room, library, conservatory, kitchen, staf quarters and study.

Returning home after the hunt, the large open hearthed fireplace, adorned with trophies of past hunts awaits to warm one’s limbs while an exquisite glass of local wine from the large subterranean wine cellar warms one’s soul. Through the indoor heated pool room, we find our way to the game room also exhibiting trophies of generations of hunts.

From here, tranquil views of the valley bring the sense of satisfaction in a life well lived. Hand-hewn timber visible in the soaring ceilings, massive stone, tiles and wrought metal, and the rich quality of hand-crafted woodwork, lend a priceless character to the estate and its hallways and rooms echo of ages past and lives of significance.

Overall, the main residence comprises over 12,000 square feet. A dependent structure contains a living room, two bedrooms and two baths. Within the boundaries of the main residence grounds, there are multiple hunting stations from which to observe the surrounding area frequented by wildlife.

Elsewhere on the estate are two other residential structures built in the 18th and 19th centuries totaling over 10,000 square feet which provide quarters for staff and a marvelous setting for lodging and entertaining guests. In totality, 12 buildings on the estate comprise over 29,000 square feet of residential and office area.

A rare opportunity to own a unique and prestigious wildlife and hunting reserve in an area where such luminaries as the Bulgari sisters’ 4 rustic homes nearCasole d’elsa , only 15 kilometers distant, has further fueled local appreciation of values. The Ferragamo family, Renee Caovilla, and even rock-star Sting have also acquired a large estates within the surrounding area. Casole d’elsa, is also the site of the world renowned Castello di Casole, an American owned Spa and resort where one can observe the frequent comings and goings of its exclusive patrons.

In the midst of this Tuscan paradise, we are reminded of the words of the English poet, Phillip Dunne who wrote:

It's easy to understand why the most beautiful poems about England in the spring, were written by poets living in Italy at the time.

Just 55 Minutes from the incredible sights and sounds of Siena, 90 minutes from Florence’s International Airport, Agricola Radicondoli Estate offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a vast, potentially self-sustaining, year-round hunting preserve in the midst of the magnificent Tuscan landscape and its rich, authentic experience of the best life has to offer.