Tim was born in Africa and has lived all over the world including California before moving to Asia in 1984 (Hong Kong, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia), pioneering setting up satellite-television stations, then marketing satellites (Asiasat, Rimsat, GIS Coupon) and related business ventures, eventually ending his satellite career in Moscow as consultant for Intersputnik.

Rina was originally from Bicol in the Philippines, was the family cook at the age of 8. We met in Manila and started a diving resort with a restaurant on a motor yacht anchored off Boracay Island, one of the world's premiere paradise beach locations.

In 1996 we moved to London from Moscow. Three years later Tim's work moved him in to Taiwan, and after spending a a year in Taipei, we decided to change our lives and move to Northern Italy to find a vineyard property which we could convert into a small hotel.

Why Italy? We had friends in Piedmont and when we visited we fell in love with the ambience, the climate, the lifestyle and the perfect location, not to mention some of the best wines and foods in the world.

We arrived on Easter of 2001, and after three months we found the ideal place for us to convert into our dream. We purchased a farm property with a big farmhouse near to Asti which we converted into an agriturismo farm-stay bed and breakfast - Villa Sampaguita (the national flower of the Philippines, and we have planted one of these vines to remind us of Asia.

Fast forward 18 years of wonderful experiences, many guests from all over the world who became our friends, many wine harvests and we find ourselves getting older and in need of a smaller and less demanding place to stay.

Another year of searching for another house and waiting for the sale of Villa Sampaguita to be finalised; in August 2019 we moved to the beautiful village of San Pietro, where we started Villetta Sampaguita for guests who want to spend time in Piedmont and for Rina to focus on her cooking.

Because we are in love with Piedmont, the food, wine and culture and it is close to where we had our farm, but not isolated and in the middle of a wonderful friendly village with stunning views and easy access to both Asti and Alba and to all the major wine districts.

This property was waiting to find us, we have renovated both apartments and built a show kitchen. We feel so blessed to be here and want to share it with all our many friends past, present and future.

The fantastic view of Govone castle from the front of the house, one can never tire of. The views of the Roero, the Alps and the Tanaro valley from the back of the house.
The feeling of living in a real Italian neighbourhood, the kindness of the villagers, the tractors going by to work the vineyards, even the schoolbus in the morning.
The great location, so easy to get to anywhere in central Piedmont wine country.
The local markets, restaurants and wineries,
The sunrise in the morning and sunset in the evening.