Il Paluffo

Where history and sustainability come to life

Il Paluffo is an authentic estate which partially exists since 1427. It is a listed building and has been extensively and lovingly renovated, offering four rooms in the main building and four apartments with own kitchen in the annex. At Il Paluffo, the history is kept alive and sustainability is key! Various awards testify that the owners live this philosophy with all their heart.

Il Paluffo garden

In the parking lot in front of the house three Destination Charger are available. Two of them are already occupied and we look forward to the exchange with like-minded people. A very nice Swiss family is visiting with their new Model X. As it turns out, the second car, a Model S like ours, belongs to the owners of Il Paluffo, Liana and Luca. And get this: Luca is not only our host and Tesla driver. He’s the president of the Club “Tesla Owners Italia”. We had absolutely no idea and are thrilled! What a coincidence! Even if Mrs T is convinced: There are no coincidences in life. 🙂

Thanks to Tesla, the only oil we need is olive oil

At the hotel, we’re welcomed by cheerful Irene, who takes us on an interesting tour of the entire house and on a journey through time: Right behind the entrance there’s an ancient stone mill where olives used to be ground. It’s the oldest part of the complex. A bit further back is a huge clay tub which was used to press the grapes with bare feet.

Till today, olive oil and wine are produced by Il Paluffo, even though the production methods have advanced. They also make honey from own beehives. Everything is organic as you can tell. Host Liana herself is a sommelier and enthusiastically shares her knowledge during her wine tasting sessions.

History meets innovation

After all this history, we’re back in the present. We learn that Il Paluffo manages to keep its carbon footprint at around zero using different technologies like a photovoltaic power station, a heat pump powered by a photovoltaic panel as well as a thermal solar panel for hot water production, just to name a few. Our room is equipped with an iPad that contains all sorts of interesting information, wonderful excursion tips in the surrounding area and even an Italian SIM-card. Just go outside and explore. No chance to get lost.

Liana and Luca recommended a restaurant not far from Il Paluffo: L’Osteria di Casa Chianti. We give it a try and it’s tremendous! Excellent food, tasty wine and a very extroverted owner. Read more…

Seeing without being seen

We are thrilled – by the house, the garden and the stunning view Il Paluffo has to offer! The luxury that we experience here takes place off the big stage: It’s the awareness of the old history amid this beautiful scenery. A place to reflect on what’s forgotten in big cities: The peace and the voices of nature.

At the large, chilly nature pool (no chemicals used) we lean back on sun loungers and a hammock. Since the house has only a few rooms, it feels like you are in a private villa. The garden is surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. The view is simply breathtaking: Rolling hills, the towers of San Gimignano in the distance and an ever-changing ambience during the day. No strange noises, just pure nature where boars are crossing the road while we’re driving back to from the restaurant.

Of course, we explore Certaldo, a beautiful place just a 15-minute drive away. We walk the short steep path (one can also take the “Funicolare”, a kind of rack railway). What awaits us is a small but pretty oldtown with an incredible view over the hills of Tuscany, the towers of San Gimignano in sight. We feel like we have traveled back in time a thousand years, if there weren’t all those tourists with their smartphones. 🙂

Tesla Owners Italia – we’re among friends

From Luca we learn more about Tesla Owners Italia. It holds the world record when it comes to driving a Model S long-distance with only a single battery charge: 1078 km (669.83 miles). Check their website for more details (Italian language skills are beneficial) or find the english article right here.

And guess what?! From now on, we are also under the patronage of Tesla Owners Italia! We are flattered and very happy to have found new friends far away from home. Tesla connects across all borders!
In November 2018 the club organizes the 5th Chianti weekend with Tesla, together with Il Paluffo. We’ll be present for sure, personally or via Skype as our journey continues. Thank you Il Paluffo, thank you Liana and Luca, thank you Tesla Owners Italia!