Following the bees through the fields

Marco welcomes you to his 240 hectare farm of olive groves, vineyards, vegetable gardens, wheat and spelt, chickpeas and lentils. You’ll have the pleasure of discovering one of the most prestigious organic farms in the Monte Amiata region, just a few kilometres from Castel del Piano, at the foot of the small village of Montenero d'Orcia. The harmony of this wine and olive growing landscape, with green fields and meadows filled with flowers, are home to the bees, honorary citizens of the farm. You’ll visit the vineyard and meet the queen bee in her palace as well as Olivia, the hundred-year-old olive tree and ancient landlady of the farm and wander for 3km or 6 km through the olive groves, woods, cereal and legume fields, bathed in the perfumes of this generous land.

Marco will explain the method of cultivation of the land, based on the principles of biodynamics organic farming, with the importance of crop rotation and nitrogen in the soil. Maintaining the fertility of the land is one of the cardinal principles applied to this type of agriculture, an approach used on this farm that produces sublime and natural products and respects the seasons, nature, the environment and future generations. This experience is suitable for everyone, and particularly fascinating and educational for children -  an excellent opportunity to be outdoors, to learn the story of a grain of wheat from its birth to its transformation into flour and its final processing into their beloved pasta. A walk through the woods, tasting chickpeas and picking a bunch of feathery wheat are all the activities that can be done during various times of the year, not to mention the autumn events on the farm, such as the grape and olive harvests.

At the end of the tour, a tasting of the farm’s produce will be waiting for you and lunch in the olive grove on pre-booked days.Accompanied by the company's organic wines, you will also taste sublime honey and cured meats.

EQUIPMENT

• sneakers / hiking boots
• Backpack
• Weather proof jacket
• Water bottle
• Sun hat in the summertime

When / hours

From April to October every Saturday and Sunday with tasting (or on request)

From 09:30 to about 11:30 (3 hours with tasting)

During the summer, consult the events of Taste of Tuscany travel for lunches in the olive grove.

  Number of people

Minimum 4

  Booking and information

Telephone 0564 977730

Mobile and Whatsapp 331 1929342

  Included

€ 15.00 (tour, Contactless Viewranger or Wikiloc trails, tasting of the farm’s products at the end of the tour, including wines, bread, cold cuts, oil, honey). If you like, we can book you a table in one of the restaurants in the area.

On pre-booked days, or on request for a minimum of 10 people: € 35.00 (Tour, Contactless Viewranger or Wikiloc trails, lunch in the olive grove with the farm’s products according to the season: bruschetta with tomato, spelt wheat with vegetables, pasta, salamis and prosciutto, honey, wine, main course and dessert). Lunch is organised by the Slow Food catering of Antica Fattoria del Grottaione.