Our itinerary is set in this unspoiled area, which hosts a farmhouse on a hilltop mid-way between Siena and Rome, run by a family that bucked the trend many years ago. 

At that time most of the local farmers were decreasing the amount of home produced goods  in order to reduce maintenance and labor costs, while the current owners of the estate settled down here 28 years ago with the purpose of creating a self sufficient farm, support sustainable agriculture, experience life in a natural environment, and provide a laid-back lifestyle to their children.

It was not easy at all but when they achieved the goal, the farm became a social and economic model for the whole valley. 

We drive from Florence (please apply for any other town in Tuscany) and begin with a tour throughout the whole estate, and you will see with our eyes what this supply chains is about. Flocks of 200 sheeps, 70 goats of Verzasca, Saanen and Camosciata breed, produce enough milk for 25 different types of raw milk cheese in the dairy factory of the owner. 

According to the seasons the nearby kitchen garden is plenty of colorful and crispy vegetables, surrounded by saffron plants and 5000 olive trees for an excellent homemade extra virgin olive oil. 

Further ahead are fields of organic durum wheat, spelt and rye regularly grown for the production of diverse flours, and types of Pasta manufactured in the Abruzzo Region. 

Opposite to the main building, down a steep slope it’s fun to see the little pigs rooting and running around under the watchful eye of their mothers, you can count 25 of them!

A group of donkeys is grazing quietly in the paddock, away from the nervous ram in the next enclosure, staring at the hens and the chickens running along the fence.

In season wide stretches of vineyards enliven the landscape with bright green color, not too far from the manor house, which consists of a restaurant on the ground level and a large kitchen where your private cooking class is held. 

Sandra, the owner’s wife, helps you prepare the most typical dishes of the season with the home grown ingredients, wine included! Just to mention a few, Rye salad  flavored with the farm’s vegetables, Pici -hand rolled pasta- with “briciole” sauce based on roasted chopped bread tossed in olive oil and garlic, or with fresh Cerry tomatoes, Basil and Garlic. 

The poultry, porks, and sheeps raised on the farm provide excellent ingredients for the production of traditional cold cuts, like Tuscan salami, finocchiona, cured Prosciutto, Lard dressed with aromatic herbs….. your cooking class continues with a wide range of prime cuts for baked meat dishes, like Chicken cacciatore style with red peppers, Florentine style Arista. If you are not crazy for meats, the vegetale garden provides excellent ingredients for savory tarts, delicious quiches, and Tuscan bean based dishes.  

Today desserts are also based on vegetables sometimes, like the Pumpkin cake garnished with Custard,  the raw milk Pudding with salted Caramel sauce, aside from the Apple Tart with Almond cookies from the apple trees of the orchard. You can also apply for the Tiramisu, although we strongly recommend you to stick to the local tradition!

In the end lunch or dinner, if the cooking class takes place in the afternoon, is served in the charming restaurant of the farm a few steps away form the kitchen, for a relaxing meal in a fascinated ambience. It will be not just a cooking class in a farm for sure!

If you liked our ‘FARM COOKING IN TUSCANY’  you can also consider our Florence gourmet – a cooking class and Wine&food delights in Florence in our website www.walksinsideitaly.com