- Julia Prestia's fulfillment of her ambition to acquire a rural hotel in Italy's scenic landscape
Whenever you chase after something, you'll eventually find it, no matter how long it takes. I'm a firm believer in that. Stumbling upon our winery in the enchanting Emilia-Romagna region of Italy almost felt like fate. I think it was destined to happen, and we were meant to land right here.
Reflecting back, I've always had dreams of operating my own hotel nestled within nature's embrace. A cozy, classy, and highly personal boutique hotel, perhaps with its own farm. During my studies and my finance work in bustling London, I often fantasized about this, but it seemed impossible then. I couldn't have imagined this dream coming true.
Instead, after completing my education, I spent nearly 20 years living in London, working in finance, meeting my Italian husband, and raising four wonderful children. Eventually, we felt the need for a change. My husband engaged in business ventures nearby Reggio Emilia, and one weekend, we decided to combine it with a romantic getaway in the rural Emilia-Romagna. It was meant to be a romantic weekend for two – and it transformed into the beginning of our cherished dream. Keep in mind, we're always working, even on weekends – and we actually enjoy it.
That's when a mutual friend introduced us to the winery – Tenuta di Roncolo. This unique, historic estate in the area was being run by a family at the time, who were looking for a successor. The estate was run-down and barely surviving, but we saw its potential immediately – and fell in love with the charming Emilia, the eco-friendly winery, and the opportunity to establish our own boutique hotel in Italy. So, after several months of reflection and planning, my husband and I decided to buy the estate.
A Hotel with Character
Italy is home to countless stunning landscapes, but I think Roncolo is one of the most remarkable places with exceptional potential. The area remains relatively unexplored by tourists, and you can still experience genuine, unspoiled Italy here. The estate was already operated sustainably by the previous owners, which was crucial to me. Therefore, we made a conscious decision to continue farming and producing wine, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil sustainably, in line with the previous owners' tradition.
Over the years, we transformed the decaying manor house and other structures into the first luxury hotel in Emilia, which has since earned the accolade of a "Small Luxury Hotel". Converting the living spaces from a private residence into a hotel was an enormous undertaking, yet one we learned from. I made every decision myself, from conceptualizing the renovation, to furnishing with vintage Italian design, to embellishing the decor. The Relais Roncolo 1888 truly conveys much of my personality.
I deeply value my connection to nature and am passionate about environmental issues. Running a sustainable farm means the world to me. We also partner with local producers and mainly offer our own and regional products in our restaurant in the Limonaia. The estate is a landmark in the area, and this involvement is incredibly important to me. However, equally vital is the personal interaction with our guests. I derive immense pleasure from witnessing the emotions that this idyllic paradise stirs in them.
The Courage to Dream
Our guests seek a unique, exclusive hideaway – a rare, unspoiled experience in nature, the refined exclusivity of our establishment, and a respite from everyday life in an undiscovered, authentic region of Italy. We specifically chose to establish a luxury hotel in Emilia to cater to these needs. We are the go-to for guests who wish to explore and experience the area, with its incredible Food Valley and Motor Valley, or simply savour the Relais Roncolo.
We found a new home in Milan, Italy. The city and the entire nation offer an endless source of inspiration at every turn. We also received tremendous support from our dear friends as we embarked on this new journey. Perhaps that's why I grew to love Milan. It has a special energy – vibrant and international, yet still retains enough Dolce Vita. Its creative scene and wealth of art and architecture have long inspired designers, who also left their mark on our hotel. Milan was somewhat my muse. The city's beauty is most evident in its details – the ornate doorknobs and intricate entrances that constantly reveal hidden treasures.
Almost a decade since we first contemplated the move to Italy, I see that we've created something truly extraordinary. Recently, I shared my thoughts with my husband about the moment we first discovered this vineyard. At the time, I said, it might be time to realize our dream. And then we simply did it. Sometimes, I still can't believe it myself – but I'm deeply grateful that we found the courage to turn this life-changing decision into reality.
In the pursuit of realizing my dream, I discovered that other reasons, including our family's desire for change and my husband's business ventures nearby Reggio Emilia, played a significant role in our journey to Italy. Reflecting on this journey, I'm grateful that we had the courage to pursue our dreams, no matter how unlikely they seemed earlier.
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