Open Mid-March to mid-November 2026

Tenuta di Roncolo, a 130-hectare estate in the hills of Emilia, pairs a 17-room boutique hotel with an active winery and historic acetaia. Mindfully restored from its 17th century origins with a commitment to sustainability, the property places guests at the literal and cultural crossroads of Italy’s legendary Food and Motor Valleys. 

“Roncolo didn’t begin as a hospitality project, but rather as a connection to the land,” explains owner Julia Prestia. Within the bucolic hills of Quattro Castella outside Reggio Emilia, this pocket of the countryside is steeped in history; the surrounding village forms one of the four castles that were part of a defensive system once ruled by Matilde di Canossa. (One of the most powerful and formidable female rulers of the Italian Middle Ages, Matilde presided over a vast empire that ranged from Lombardy all the way down to Tuscany.)

The land then evolved from a 15th-century watchtower known as La Colombara into the noble, 17th-century Villa Manodori. In 1976, Beatrice Baldini and Carlo Venturini established the Venturini Baldini agricultural farm here, planting the seeds for organic viticulture—and eventually earned the certification in 1994, long before it was popular in Italy. The next chapter came in 2015 when the Prestia family took over. They relaunched the farming estate and set the stage to open this luxury countryside resort to honor all that had come before it.

After a meticulous restoration of the 17th-century dimore, the estate first opened its doors to guests in summer 2020, and the grand reopening of the rust-colored Villa Manodori followed in 2022. “The restoration of the estate was guided by respect—preserving original materials, features, and frescoes wherever possible—allowing the building to retain its character,” shares Julia. It’s why, in each of the varying 17 rooms and suites, you’ll see original stone, raw wood, and warm, earthy textures alongside minimalist decor, bespoke furniture, and mid-century pieces by the likes of Gio Ponti and Vico Magistretti.

“Exploring Emilia often starts from the table,” says Julia. “But it really starts right here—in the vineyards and the acetaia.” In the estate’s historic acetaia, one of the country’s oldest, Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale ages for over a decade in ancient wooden casks. Guests are invited into the attic of the acetaia and the 17th-century wine cellars for guided tours and a chance to understand what patience really tastes like (and perhaps pick up a bottle or two of their world-class Lambrusco to take home). 

On top of these culinary experiences, it’s easy to get a feel of Emilia-Romagna from a stay here. The region’s heavy-hitting cultural hubs are all a short drive away:  Parma (30 minutes), Reggio-Emilia (30 minutes), Modena (1 hour), and Bologna (1.5 hours). For a more active take, you can hop on one of the property’s bikes to tackle the Appennine trails, or head to the golf courses, horseback riding stables, and tennis courts all well-within reach. Or, after a breakfast made with ingredients sourced from local producers, you can simply while away the days wandering the estate and lounging by the pool. 

Come evening, dinner is served at the estate’s Ristorante Limonaia; housed in a beautifully converted greenhouse, the fine-dining spot reinterprets classic Emilian dishes, like cappelletti in crema di Parmigiano Reggiano 24 mesi, tagliatelle al ragù di tre carni, and a selection of “salumi of the Food Valley” with brioche and butter. The restaurant uses ingredients sourced straight from the estate—the exact zero-kilometer philosophy upon which the Tenuta was built.

A few segreti (secrets) from Julia:

Museum Ferrari Maranello – While the surrounding hills scream slow living, the thrills of Maranello are just a short drive away. Skip the main queues by booking an early slot to wander among the pristine racing prototypes.

Parmigiano producers – Take a quick morning trip to a local Parmigiano Reggiano caseificio (dairy). The real secret is arriving by 8:00 AM, just as the master cheesemakers manually lift the massive, steaming twin wheels of curd from copper cauldrons using linen cloths. 

Matilde’s castle trails – Ask the team for a bike or a hiking map to explore the historic hills of Quattro Castella, tracking the ruins of the medieval fortifications that once guarded the empire of Matilde di Canossa.