La Gigliola

I got to try wine straight from the barrel at Tenuta La Gigliola in Montespertoli, which was a memorable part of my visit. Pouring it into my glass let me take in its aroma and complexity. The staff were welcoming and knew their wines well, explaining the varieties in detail. The wines were delicious and high quality, and the estate is set in gorgeous Tuscan countryside. If you love wine and the area, I highly recommend visiting and doing a barrel tasting. It’s an experience that stays with you.

The house we had rented wasn’t ready when we arrived, so we were offered another available house for a few days, with the option to move later wherever the owner told us was available. After we settled in, things seemed fine until the second day. I was asleep with earplugs in when I woke to the owner undressing in my room with music playing on her phone. She got into my bed and asked to do sexual things. I said no, but she tried to kiss me. I got up and left the room, traumatized. She stayed in my bed, so I had to go back and get her out. She became aggressive and went into another empty room in the house. My door had no lock, and I felt so uncomfortable I couldn’t sleep all night. For a bit of “security,” I tied bags and bras from the door to my bed. Eventually I was so scared I collapsed because I felt unsafe. We checked out the next day and went somewhere else. She gave us a €25 discount as “an apology.” I feel very sorry for her kids and family, but I can’t recommend staying here. I’m seeing a therapist and still have nightmares about someone standing in my room while I’m asleep. This was harassment and deeply traumatic.

The pool was being used by the owners’ friends and family throughout our stay last year, so at least there was no chance of feeling lonely. This is an old heritage estate with history in every corner, and they’re trying to keep up with maintenance. The photos are probably a few years old, and the garden, pool area and other parts look quite different now. The buildings are still in good shape, and you can see the owners put quite a bit of money into modernizing them about 20 years ago. The tennis court was still there when we visited. We told them the broken or missing court lines and holes in the sand made it unplayable, and they repaired it straight away. Ask for current, detailed photos of the estate so you know what to expect.

The location is amazing, but the hostess was unprofessional and overstepped. I wouldn’t recommend it.