What mysterious force drives some of us to relinquish all we know for the promise of a dream? Here is one account. In the early 90's a Florentine family led by Laura, Giorgio and their two sons left behind the bustle of their famous city for the lure of a simple life beneath the Tuscan sun.

They settled atop a Chianti hill found midway between Florence and Siena laden with a bounty of vineyards, olive groves and soul-cleansing vistas. Four stone structures, once part of a 13th-century monastery, were lovingly restored and converted into a private wine estate made up of the owner's home, a reception office and eight well designed units amid a setting of flowers, shade and fruit trees and the heavenly scent of lavender.

At this boutique winery in the ancient heart of Chianti, "Laura" is the name given to the best vintages. Parker guests receive a complimentary sampling of these elixirs during a cantina visit on Monday afternoons. The estate produces organic Chianti Classico wine, olive oil and grappa. During the week, it's possible to order a casual light lunch that includes the estate wines.

The four cottages we chose are all part of the same stone structure. Laura opens onto a patio that's shared with Moro. From their own furnished area, guests of Laura look out over the vine laden hills. Inside, the simple country decor complements the authentic setting. Laura's kitchen features a large open-hearth fireplace that can be used for grilling. The bedroom doorway is an original 13th century portal. The windows are screened, and the bathroom has a heated towel rack and a hair dryer.

At one end of Querceto lies a children's play zone and a salt water pool open during the season from 9 am to 8 pm. On the opposite side of the estate is a small pen with some goats, ducks, turkeys, a donkey and an occasional peacock. Everyone, guests included, seems to enjoy eyeing one another through the fence.

The reception office arranges a number of services: bicycle rental including kid size bikes, hiking maps for trails around the estate, access to a pay-per-use washing machine and cleaning service. They take reservations for the classic Tuscan dinner served on Monday evenings in the large recreation cottage and can have continental breakfast delivered to your cottage.

The recreation cottage is open for all guests to enjoy and offers travel books, games, an outdoor BBQ and pizza oven. Morning cooking classes take place in this cottage. They must be reserved when booking. Participants can request taking a trip into Panzano or Castellina to shop for fresh ingredients to make a scrumptious four course meal.

An unpaved, wooded half mile leads to the SS222, the Chianti wine road in a scant half mile. From there, it's a 10 minute drive to either Castellina's shops and restaurants or Panzano's Sunday morning outdoor market; Radda in Chianti: 15 minutes; Monteriggioni: 25; Siena or Greve in Chianti: 30; San Gimignano or Florence: 45; Montecatini Terme: 60; Volterra or Arezzo: 70; Montepulciano, Cortona or Lucca: 90; Montalcino: 100; Assisi or Pisa: 2 hours; Cinque Terre: 3 hours.

A tourist tax collected by the town is paid separately on the first seven nights. Children under age 14 are exempt.

Technical Description
Ground floor: Entrance from furnished patio up one step into eat-in kitchen with stove top, oven, fridge, barbecue fireplace, TV and CD player. Four steps up to one bedroom with two single, joinable beds and en suite bathroom with shower, heated towel rack and hair dryer.