‘Bergamo’ is a notably important c.1850’s historic property, situated in Yandoit Hills – one of Australia’s most unique hamlets in the Daylesford region. You could be forgiven when approaching ‘Bergamo’, that you are in the undulating Italian hills of Lombardy. It was for this reason that the Gervasoni family were attracted to Yandoit Hills in the 1850’s. To the Gervasoni’s, the terrain was Italian in character and reminded them of home. The Gervasoni family, like many Italians, settled in this area. When Luigi Gervasoni married Augusta Ritzau he purchased the one room stone home in 1871. Luigi named the home ‘Bergamo’ after his beautiful homeland and soon set about extending the home into what it is today. ‘Bergamo’ is one of several drystone buildings built in the Northern Italian style, expressive of the settlement of Italian agriculturalists in the Yandoit area from the 1850’s. Both the interior and exterior of the drystone house have an abundance of original and charming features including steep roof, flagstone flooring, decorative fretwork, French doors, open fireplaces, timber flooring, pine lined timber ceilings and muted internal colours. The main 232m2 home has 3/4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, charming fully services country kitchen/dining room, large living room, office, laundry and shower, extensive cellarage complete with original wine barrels, a cheese cellar and meat curing room – where the Gervasonis made their sausages, salami, and prosciutto for the family. The roof has a large attic space which the Gervasoni children used as sleeping quarters. The deep north facing verandah overlooks the hills and Yandoit Creek and is a wonderful calming space – perfect for all year round alfresco dining, a studio space or simply a place to relax and listen to bird song. The original dairy is now a fully restored self-contained 63m2 cottage with 1 bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette and large living area – suitable as an accommodation retreat or artist studio – the possibilities are endless. Situated on 2.363ha (5.84 acres), the house is surrounded by an established garden and hills – poetically reminiscent of an Italian landscape – with deciduous trees, expansive grassed areas, olive groves, quinces, chestnuts and a half acre vineyard of cabernet, merlot and semillon. The property is serviced by mains power, tank water and the house is warmed by hydronic and electric heating and open fireplaces. Water security is via tank water, the creek and annual rainfall of 700mm pa. The property has a number of outbuildings including shedding and an original timber piggery, ripe for restoration. ‘Bergamo’ is in the heart of the Central Highlands of Victoria – a nationally significant, rich and diverse region, both culturally and historically. The area has a vibrant artistic community and a strong regional food culture. At your doorstep are historic villages of the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges region, galleries, wineries, eateries, cafes, antique stores, walking trails, mineral spas and wellness health retreats. Daylesford and Hepburn Springs are only 15mins way and Melbourne a scenic 130km drive. Whether this is your next family home, dreamy weekend country escape, or tourism venture – ‘Bergamo’ offers an exciting and rare opportunity to a part of history and own a truly exceptional home in the sought after hamlet of Yandoit Hills. “visse sui campi e fu felice” Contact Agent Dominic Romeo 0438 500 277 dominicromeo@circaheritageandlifestyle.com.au
