Five bedrooms in total:
Main house:
Master bedroom with en suite bathroom, copper bath tub, large walk in shower and double sinks, and access to garden and pool area
Double bedroom with en suite bathroom, large walk-in shower and double sinks
Double bedroom with en suite bathroom, large walk-in shower and double sinks
Double bedroom with additional sofa bed, en suite bathroom with large walk-in shower and double sinks
Separate studio:
Double bedroom with en suite bathroom, shower, kitchenette and TV
Large, open plan country kitchen with island
Dining table for up to 10
Leads on to outdoor, shaded dining terrace for up to 10
Ground floor sitting room with fireplace and library
First floor sitting room with comfortable seating, TV and access via stairs to terrace, garden and pool area
Infinity swimming pool, 14x5m, sea water (can be heated at additional cost)
Pool house with summer kitchen, fireplace, WC and shower
Sun loungers
Organic vegetable garden with produce for guests to use
Surrounded by its own olive groves and vineyard
WiFi
Satellite TVs
Air conditioning throughout
Underfloor heating throughout
Wine cellar
SMEG appliances
SONOS sound system
Nespresso coffee machine
Guest loo
Utility room
Cot
Beach towels
Concierge service
House manager
Mid-week clean
Gardener
Pool guy
Chef service available, payable additionally
Vinella Estate is situated just outside of Motovun, a stunning medieval hill-top village in Croatia (just a 3 minute drive away)
Motovun main square has several bars, cafes and restaurants
Porec is 30 minutes drive and Novigrad is 25 minutes
Fly to Pula airport (1 hr drive to Motovun)
Fly to Trieste airport (1 hr 30 minutes drive)
Ljubljana airport in Slovenia is 1 hr 50 minutes from the villa (great for low season bookings)
It is also possible to fly to Venice and drive to the villa, around 2 hrs 50 minutes or arrive by boat (takes 1 hr 45 mins)
Car hire essential
Resting on a hilltop with stunning views across the valley, Motovun is a rural hub of activity, with plenty on offer throughout the year. The surrounding valley and its forests are renowned for their truffles, with the nearby Italians travelling across the border to dine at Istria’s esteemed truffle restaurants. The white Istrian variety is amongst the most highly sought after in the world, and the valleys below Motovun are full of them.
It is possible to arrange truffle-hunting trips, as well as wine tasting at a number of the local vineyards, including the award winning Bienvenuti in the nearby town of Kaldir. The culinary delights do not stop here – the area is also home to some fabulous olive groves, producing some truly delicious oils.
Motovun itself is host to the Motovun Film Festival in the last week of July – not to be missed if you’re lucky enough to be in the area.
The main square of the hilltop town is transformed into an outdoor theatre, and screenings take place throughout the day and into the evenings, amongst many other festivities.
The coast is just 20 minutes drive away – perfect for a wander around the seaside towns, try any one of the great fish restaurants serving fish fresh off the boats which you’ll see in the harbour. For those wanting a swim nearer to home, there is the Mirna River, just 5 minutes from the villa, and the ideal spot for cooling off in the height of summer.
The area is rich in both culture and history with museums and galleries to explore.There are several historical sites well worth a visit – including a Roman amphitheatre in Pula, and the breathtaking Euphrasian Basilica in Porec.
For the more adventurous, there are wonderful walks in the valleys surrounding Motovun itself, ideal to experience the wonderful Tuscan-esque scenery. Mountain bikes can be hired and there is also horse riding. The official truffle season is from September to January, and throughout the year there are daily local markets in Rovinj and Porec.
Winter travellers can enjoy the amazing Christmas markets in Ljubljana in Slovenia, under 2 hours away by car and is not to be missed!
The Vinella Estate is a sight to behold. Stunningly positioned and designed with impeccable taste, we struggled to find a single room, item or layout that we weren’t completely in love with. The original farmhouse dates back to 1614, and has been lovingly restored to its current glory using warm, honey-coloured stone, antique oak beams and cotto roof tiles.
The designers used the best reclaimed stone and oak throughout, and eco, lime-based paints pay perfect homage to the history of the property. Green energy is supplied via air heat pumps and solar panels, and no aspect has been left to chance here. There is a real sense of humble luxury here – the soft furnishings and ornaments are sourced from across the globe but all work seamlessly together, in the same colour palette of warm, earthy colours for a natural and laidback luxurious atmosphere.
Outside, there is a lovely infinity-edge swimming pool that can be heated, and not to mention breath-taking views over Motovun and the whole Mirna Valley below. The villa is surrounded by its own olive grove, vineyard, woods and even has its own organic vegetable garden that guests are welcome to help themselves to during their stay. There is a large, fully equipped kitchen to rustle up some delicious meals in using your very own produce. The bedrooms are simply divine, each with its own character and decked in the highest quality linens and soft furnishings. The separate studio is perfect for young couples or teenagers wanting a bit of independence.
Outside, a large covered dining terrace provides the perfect spot for alfresco meals, and super-comfortable sun loungers surround the pool. There’s even a pool house complete with summer kitchen. With plenty of places to sit and relax outside with a good book or a glass of wine in the sunshine, you can sit and take in the wonderful surroundings and incredible views. This area has been labelled ‘the new Tuscany’ and we can quite see why – the surrounding landscape is gorgeous, and you’ve so much to see and do right on your doorstep too. The area and in particular the surrounding woodlands are renowned for the truffles, and hunts can be arranged, as can visits to some of the area’s finest truffle restaurants. There are also some great agritourism spots, well worth a visit to sample some delicious, authentic local food. Award-winning wine and olive oil producers are within an easy 10 minute drive. Beautiful hiking and cycling routes are a plenty here, and the coast is still only a 20 minute drive away, perfect to head to for a spot of lunch at some of the wonderful fish restaurants, and be back in time for a sunset aperitif on the terrace…
We honestly cannot fault this glorious property, and are so confident that you’ll have the most amazing holiday here.
