“For us, Lupaia is the essence of what we seek when we travel: a place that offers the service and amenities of a luxury hotel but feels like a private home,” says Christopher Mueller. Alongside his wife, Heidi, he has restored this historic estate to its former glory. Lupaia is a boutique hotel nestled in the rolling hills of Torrita di Siena, between Val di Chiana and Val d’Orcia—a UNESCO-listed region—just twenty minutes from Montepulciano. The surroundings include Pienza, Montalcino, Cortona, Perugia, and Siena, placing guests at the heart of Tuscany’s “Wine Triangle”, where Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti Classico, and Brunello di Montalcino form a dream trio for wine lovers and connoisseurs.
The current owners arrived here driven by a romantic aspiration—to leave behind the corporate world and create a bespoke luxury hotel in Italy, designed through the lens of their own experiences as travelers before becoming hoteliers. Their search was methodical and patient, spanning two years and over sixty properties before fate led them, in 2016, to a secluded hillside near Montepulciano. The estate was already dedicated to hospitality, but it lacked that “special something” that makes a place truly extraordinary. However, the essence was all there, steeped in history and charm.
It is said that Lupaia’s name derives from “lupus”, a possible nod to the presence of wolves in ancient times. The land had already been home to a farming settlement as early as 1622. Today, the relais, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, feels like a small hamlet: two-story houses, a handful of rooms and suites, each unique, spread across five stone-clad buildings draped in ivy and Virginia creeper. The interiors blend travel mementos, artworks, antique rugs, fine Italian textiles, and Victorian-style bathrooms. There’s a cozy library, a dining room with a historic fireplace that crackles through the winter, a charming Jardin d’Hiver for cocktails, and a dedicated wine room, where guests can sample a curated selection of Tuscan labels, including biodynamic wines.
The restaurant, led by Chef Andrea Sisti and Sous Chef Luca Oriani, offers an authentic taste of Tuscan cucina contadina, with fresh ingredients sourced from Lupaia’s own vegetable garden and Il Giardino degli Aromi for herbs. “Our goal was to create a warm and timeless atmosphere, bringing life and soul back to this place,” Heidi Mueller explains. “From our curated playlists to fresh flowers, candlelit spaces, the scent of the kitchen from dawn till night—all these details shape the ‘Lupaia’ experience as a home among friends. This philosophy is something we share with our staff, like a family. Guests leave feeling as if they have formed a connection—not only with the magic of Lupaia but also with one another.”
Supporting the local community is also a priority. Every product or handmade item used at Lupaia is labeled with its origin, encouraging guests to explore nearby artisan workshops. From hand-painted Tuscan ceramics to Sabatini Gin from Cortona and honey from beekeeper Antonella, shopping here is an extension of the journey.
But above all, Lupaia is a place for pure relaxation, with no rigid meal times and no formalities—there’s no need to sign for drinks or services. Activities range from cooking classes and yoga to truffle hunting, hiking trails, and day trips around the region. And of course, there’s always the infinity pool, offering sweeping views of the countryside.
If you decide to visit Lupaia (many simply book via Instagram), prepare for a truly immersive experience—starting with the arrival itself: a 2.5km dirt road flanked by olive groves and vineyards, leading to a retreat where time slows down and Tuscany unfolds in all its splendour.