INTRODUCTION

When my friends asked me why I bought an old farmhouse in Italy instead of investing in a property in the States, my answer was “I didn’t just buy a house, I acquired a way of life.”

And now, when my friends visit and we sit on the terrace drinking wine and watching the sun set over layers of Umbrian hills, they understand why.

Santa Caterina sits high on a hill with breathtaking views in every direction. Gently rolling hills and farmlands on one side and rugged mountain with a 12th century castle perched on top, on another. Seven miles from the village of Umbertide, it is centrally located among the medieval towns of Perugia, Gubbio and Assisi. Orvieto, the center of the widely acclaimed wine of the same name, and Deruta, renowned for its pottery, are only a short drive away.

Villa Santa Caterina was built in the early 18th century and restored by our family in 1996 with every effort made to retain its original character, using old, authentic materials wherever possible. The main house is about 3,300 square feet, and the two cottages are aproximately 500 square feet each, with wood beam ceilings and terracotta floors. Santa Caterina is decorated in a typical Umbrian/Tuscan style with many antique furnishings and oriental rugs.