My wife took me to Italy for my 50th birthday and we spent 3 very enjoyable days at the Ortagila in Montepulciano.

The room was very comfortable (we stayed in the San Donato suite), and the hosts - Terrenzio and Mara - were very helpful and welcoming. They went out of their way to make our stay enjoyable and to help us plan out tours for the day.

Add in that the weather in October in Tuscanny was beautiful and it made for a magical three days that we will remember for a long time. I would easily recommend Ortaglia for those looking for an intimate authentic Tuscan villa in a great location with very welcoming hosts.

Look forward to returning sometime and spending more time in Tuscanny.

In September 2007, we stayed three nights at the Relais Ortaglia, a Tuscan villa located outside of Montepulciano. The villa is gorgeous, set amidst its vineyards that are used to make the well known Vino Nobile de Montepulciano. The location is quiet and peaceful, with a pool, beautiful gardens and terraces.

September is a wonderful time to visit Tuscany as the weather is mild, the number of visitors is beginning to decline and the farms and vineyards are harvesting. Also, the Porcini mushrooms are in season for 3-4 weeks in late September and early October, making for a real culinary feast in all of the local restaurants. The whole area is in a festive mode as they examine the grape harvest to try to predict the type of wine they will have from that year’s harvest. We were told repeatedly 2007 looked like a very good year as the weather had been perfect and the grapes were unusually well formed.

We stayed in the San Donato suite for two nights, a lovely large room with king sized bed, double Jacuzzi bathtub, large stall shower and wood sauna within the bathroom, a comfortable sitting area, and a cozy balcony that overlooks the vineyards and basks in the morning sun. We then spent one night in the Poggiolo suite which, although smaller, was equally and uniquely decorated.

Our hosts, Terenzio and Mara, were welcoming, fluent in English, and made our stay great by providing a welcoming environment and food, wine and travel information. Terenzio directed us through two all day driving excursions that took us along the back roads of Tuscany through charming small villages, a wonderful abbey in Montalcino and to several of the best restaurants we have ever enjoyed. One evening after returning from dinner we spent an hysterically funny hour with Terenzio, Mara and several other guests in their kitchen, drinking the villa’s nut liquer and playing name that 60’s tune.

The breakfast is wonderful, with a fabulous variety of food and a lovely presentation.

Our only regret is that we only could stay a couple of evenings. Now that we know of this great find, we hope to return for a week in the future.

In May of 2007, my wife and I travelled through Tuscany and one of the highlights of our trip was our stay at the Relais Ortaglia, a Tuscan villa located 1 kilometer outside of Montepulciano. The villa was gorgeous, set on a bluff amist its vineyards that are used to make the well known Nobile de Montepulciano de Ortaglia. The location is quiet and peaceful, with a pool and jacuzzi that are best used in the summer when they are heated. We stayed in the San Donato room which was "huge," with king sized comfortable bed, double jacuzzi bathtub, large stall shower with an oversized, powerful shower head, wood sauna within the bathroom, a comfortable sitting area, and a cozy balcony that overlooks the vineyards and basks in the morning sun. It exceeded our greatest expectations, and was only outdone by the warmth and graciousness of our host, Teddy, the patron of the villa. He is charming, engaging, fluent in English, and learned about many, many wordly affairs. He ensures that your stay is a great one, and provides food, wine and travel information that enhanced our stay. He directed us to an all day driving excursion that took us through the back roads of Tuscany and through charming small villages, and along the glorious Tuscan countryside. The breakfast is wonderful, and the whole experience is first rate, at a surprisingly reasonable price. Our only regret is that we only could stay a couple of evenings. Now that we know of this great find, we hope to return for a week in the future. We hope you will add this spectacular place to your itinerary, and enjoy it as much as we did. Susan and Gary Z from Palo Alto, California, USA

What can I say this was the highlight of my European vacation. Spent three nights wish I had had three weeks. The rooms are georgous and the food was amazing. Terenzio is one of a kind never will you find a more gracious host. The villa has a home like feel after two weeks of fancy hotels this was a welcome change.
I will be back in June 2007 and am counting the days until I return home.