Cherished childhood country home of debonair glass guru Count Giberto Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga and his family when not residing at their ancestral palazzo* on Venice’s Canale Grande, the castelletto welcomes guests to its idyllic rural setting between the scenic vineyards and forests of the Venetian hinterland.

Cloaked in a patina of antiquity and privilege, and revelling in the unbridled individuality of its style, the ‘sleeps 12’ estate covers an area of 40 hectares in the Conegliano and Valdobbiadene Prosecco Hills, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018.

Used from the 1400s as a fortification to defend the medieval Castelbrando – property of the Counts Brandolini – and restored in 1950 by celebrated architect Tommaso Buzzi to preserve and further enhance its distinctly aristocratic appeal, Castelletto di Pedeguarda provides the keys to a world of refined and gracious living within immensely characterful accommodation covering 4 floors linked by stairs.

Fairy-tale in ambience both inside and out and teeming with family antiques and faded frescos galore, the 8-bedroom property boasts a heavenly garden with swimming pool, a divine covered loggia, bucolic vistas and more**.

Delivering everything you’d expect (and some!) of such an uniquely special dwelling and paved in part with stone tiling rescued from a demolished 11^th-century Venetian church, its cosseting and much-adored accommodation comprises:

Upper Level

• Externally: A wonderfully verdant terraced and lawned garden offering indescribably beautiful views, surrounded by Mediterranean cypresses so characteristic of Italia and with a swimming pool and a delightful arch-vaulted loggia to its side
• Internally: The most sumptuous, antique-laden dining and sitting rooms replete with colourful frescos, trompe l’oeil and finely decorated timbers and featuring an imposing, family-crested, open brickwork fireplace and an ancestral portrait perfectly placed to capture your gaze

Middle Level

Boasting 4 luxurious and extremely charming bedrooms:

• The “Contessa’s” cosy and lavishly frescoed sitting room lit by a pair of table-mounted candelabra and leading in turn to the “Contessa’s” supremely restful bedroom with ornately carved French-size bed and en suite bathroom beyond
• The “Conte’s” dreamily romantic and rosy-hued master bedroom suite featuring a fresco of the Madonna and Child above the room’s king size bed, and with an adjoining arched terrace enjoying magical views over the valley plus its own en suite bathroom with a large bathtub and shower
• 2 further delightful bedrooms – the “Venturina” bedroom with double bed and the “Vera” bedroom with French-size bed – both sharing an en suite bathroom just off their joint corridor/vestibule which in itself doubles as a breakfast room during the winter months

Lower Middle Level

Comprising:

• The spacious “Giberto” bed room with an antique wrought iron queen-size double bed beckoning sleepy heads to indulgent siestas and nights of slumber, a pretty hand-painted armoire to its side, an en suite bathroom with bathtub and large terrace overlooking the valley
• The “Pheasant” bedroom with a coffered wooden ceiling, a painted landscape panorama complete with resident pheasants peacefully perching above its queen-size double bed, and the warm and welcoming “Pink” bedroom with a French-size bed, both sharing a bathroom
• A further living room offering additional space for relaxation

Ground Level

Comprising:

• An entry hall
• A splendid guest bedroom with en suite bathroom and two beautifully attired French-size tester beds lying adjacent to a sitting room with a monumental fireplace, which shares an adjoining loggia enjoying valley views
• A tiled rustic kitchen – a scrumptious feast for the eyes – and well equipped for creating any number of regional dishes and delights
• 2 staff bedrooms, one with a double bed, the other with a single, both sharing a bathroom
• Laundry room

* The 16^th–century Palazzo Papadopoli on the Grand Canal at San Silvestro near the Rialto, also home to the luxurious Aman Venice.

OUR COMMENT

A refined ‘castelletto’ oozing history from every pore, offering an escape from the ordinary the moment you step through its door.  

Featured in the Financial Times ‘How to spend it’– May 2020 ‘Prosecco country’s new sparkle’ by Maria Shollenbarger

Situated between Venice and Treviso to the south and the Dolomite Mountains to the north, and within easy reach by car of the picturesque towns of Bassano del Grappa and Asolo (chauffeur services may be organised upon request).

** Discover the various activities available during a stay along with the secrets of Bianca Arrivabene’s little black book of the Prosecco Hills.

STAFF

• 1 housekeeper is included. The housekeeper will take care of bedrooms and light kitchen cleaning and work. Will prepare breakfast. 8 hrs per day.
• Meals taken at the castelletto can be catered by the renowned ‘Osteria al Castelletto da Clemy’ (Clementina Viezzer being the childhood Nanny of Count Arrivabene). Alternatively, a chef can be organised (both to be quoted separately).
• When there are more than 8 guests in residence an additional housekeeper must be added and settled separately.
• Members of staff have 1 day off per week (if guests staying more than week). It is possible to add staff upon request
• One additional person for laundry services is advised
• Maximum number of guests: 12
• Minimum stay: 1 week
• Linen change: weekly

MULTIMEDIA

• TV/DVD: There is TV Set in the “Contessa’s” sitting room and in the lower middle level living room
• BOSE SMALL Speakers – 1 set provided
• WI-FI – YES

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

• 2 fridges
• 2 freezers
• 1 industrial dishwasher
• 2 washing machines
• 2 irons
• Hairdryer in each bathroom