About Purple Fete

Selecting a memorable Tuscan villa can seem like an overwhelming task. Not only are you concerned with the quality of the villa and its location, but also the character of the broker and the services offered. Purple Fete LLC makes the decision process less overwhelming and the experience a relaxed one. We offer luxury Tuscan villa rentals, emphasizing service and wine appreciation, while addressing the unique needs of each of our customers. The meaning of Purple Fete is twofold. Our logo alludes to the antique method of crushing grapes, while the literal definition of "Purple Fete" is a purple celebration, or celebration of wine from its creation until its indulgence. Purple Fete LLC was originally created as a wine consulting company, providing a unique method of buying wine, in which a high level of service is provided without pretense. We now specialize in creating personalized vacations in Italy’s premier wine country destination, Tuscany.

Our goal is to not only represent the best properties that we have personally screened, but also to offer a personalized vacation for each client. We have turned down many more properties than we represent. That being said, in our opinion, it is not only about renting a beautiful villa, but also about a unique vacation. For this reason, we are increasing our services all of the time, with a special emphasis on wine. Besides the various value-added services and top flight homes, our clients have the advantage of receiving personal guidance on wines, wineries, and restaurants from a wine consultant & frequent traveler to Tuscany. Our recommendations span everything from where to eat, to how to get tickets from the Uffizi in advance. We have learned from frequent traveling in Tuscany that it is the little things that will make your vacation special. Purple Fete LLC is a service for people with discriminating taste for wine, food, and travel, as well as a source of high service luxury villa rentals, including wine appreciation services.

We feel that the services are as important as the villa because we have traveled extensively in Tuscany, and know what makes up a memorable vacation. Purple Fete LLC offers mixed cases of Tuscany’s best red wines and the best whites from Northern Italy that can be delivered to your villa before you arrive. In addition, all the houses will be outfitted with custom made crystal wine glasses in which to enjoy your wines. Starting this coming year, wine tastings at the property and at selected wineries can be arranged prior to your departure. Personal chefs can be on hand to cook an authentically Tuscan meal on arrival and during a guests’ stay. Well-stocked refrigerators, cell phones, as well as other services are also available.

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Our Personnel

James Fantaci, Founder/Owner

James Fantaci is the founder/owner of Purple Fete LLC. Purple Fete has developed from a wine consulting company in to a luxury Tuscan villa rental company dedicated to creating an experience for guests, rather than just a great place to stay.

Mr. Fantaci’s interest in wine was sparked at a young age by his family’s passion for wine.  His grandfathers’ made their own wine and his father collects wine and is a part owner of a winery in the Napa Valley.  James has been traveling in Tuscany for over 10 years.  Besides yearly family excursions to Tuscany, and several annual business trips, James studied in Florence while living with an Italian family.  He gained his formal education at Skidmore College and while working in a well-known N.Y. wine emporium, earned the Diploma from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust of London.   He graduated with honors with a Masters in Management of Hospitality from Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration.

He received hands-on experience as an apprentice to the winemaker at the Sonoma boutique winery, Flowers Vineyard & Winery, which was awarded the Artisan Winery of the Year in 2000 and 2001 by Wine & Spirits magazine.  He has been published in magazines and books and currently is dedicated to using his experience to create unique, well informed, and memorable experiences for guests of Purple Fete in Tuscany.

Susan Pennington, Service Director

‘My day-to-day work has been very varied and has introduced me to many different people and places all over Tuscany. Having lived in this area for so long and working within the hospitality business I have been able to establish a firm foundation of business colleagues and contacts that I know that I can trust and rely upon.’

Susan Pennington, a Brit by birth, a mid Atlantic by nature, has lived on both sides of the ocean but still deep down is a European in her heart. Susan came to Tuscany after living in New York City for several years where she worked as a specialist in a British auction house. For the past eighteen years her home has been Siena immersing herself in the hospitality field gaining a vast experience, from developing an ‘agriturismo’ (farm hospitality business), restoring farmhouses, to planning weddings and special events. She has contributed to guides and books, scouted locations and cast for major advertising and PR companies… all within Tuscany. She is a curious and lively personality who knows a lot of people and knows how to get things done. She will be instrumental in customizing your vacation.

Purple Fete, Founded in 2000, is a subsidiary of Traveling Fete Group of 
companies, which includes Bare Fete, a provider of luxury 
Mega-Yacht Cruises.
 
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