Agriturismo - Tuscany - Pienza Area / Modena Recs
 

Hello All,

I am looking for recommendations for an agriturismo in the Pienza area of Tuscany. A year ago we spent time at Fonte Bertusi and loved it, but would like to stay on an active farm/vineyard/dairy/etc. Any recommendation would be appreciated.

Additionally, we will be spending some time in Modena and are looking for recommendations for a four day stay.

We will have a car in both locations.

Thank you!

I'd recommend Cretaiole. We stayed there several times, and loved it.

We stayed at Agriturismo Podere Spedalone this past April.

Here is what I wrote about it in my trip report: The selection of where to stay in the valley, though, was daunting. There were so many places with fantastic reviews and Fonte Bertusi, particularly based on reviews from this forum, was one of the top contenders. Ultimately, though, I chose Podere Spedalone because I wanted the true farm experience and wanted the ability to dine on premises as often as we wanted for dinner. The Trip Advisor reviews did not disappoint and I can’t say enough wonderful things about this place. We were welcomed by Alessandro like we were family and were treated that way throughout our stay. Each night, aperitivo hour starts at 7:30 with prosecco and still wines offered with a selection of small bites. One night, Alessandro freshly sliced his own prosciutto, on another night it was homemade pizza. Following aperitivo hour, everyone gathers in the dining room (or under the terrace, depending on the weather) and enjoys a four course meal at communal tables. The food was outstanding, featuring homemade pastas, roast pork, venison, and much more. The meals were different each night and were always followed by dessert and then an offering of limoncello, grappa, or homemade brandy. Breakfasts were similarly wonderful and kept us well satisfied until lunch rolled around. The communal atmosphere at meal time gave us the chance to talk to people from all over the world and to share travel tips. We met Alessandro’s livestock, including a pig named Rocco and a cow named Brunella, and marveled at his vegetable garden. The rooms at Podere Spedalone are comfortable and well-appointed. I could have happily stayed here for a month and hope to return when I’m next back in Tuscany. A returning guest to Spedalone who runs retreats there several times a year said it best: there are other places in Tuscany that are more luxurious than Spedalone and others that are more historic, but nowhere are you treated the way you are at Spedalone.

Take a look at La Fonte: Home - Agriturismo La Fonte a Pienza. When we stayed several years ago it was definitely a working farm. We went to sleep at night to the sound of Papa's WWII-era tractor still working the fields. Roosters woke us in the morning. There were goats and ducks and chickens. We loved it!

We've driven by Agriturismo il Rigio dozens of times. It is also a cooking school. There is info in my Italy itinerary (attached) about it, and also about the lovely Val d'Orcia.

Stu Dudley

StuDudley I read through your notes, what a valuable collection of thoughts and useful info (what a fab travel life!)! Thank you! I have just picked Val D'Orcia for 3-day stay on my trip next summer (was choosing between lower and upper Tuscany) and your notes confirmed that it was the right choice). I will definitely follow some of your scenic drives! Would love to stop at the farm to0 and maybe get an olive oil tasting?- will give your notes another read to see if there is a mention of such farm. (on a side note -I will be working in several stops at local termal spas-will be challenging to make a logical itinerary out of all these choices but luckily I enjoy this part of travel greatly). Another side note (might start a separate thread but might just read your notes again)- as we drive to Pienze from Rome, I am considering a lunch+stop in Orvieto...hope the road does not get too hair pinny as we don't like driving such roads)) will also have to consider how much time we want to spend in Orvieto vs all our Tuscany plans. Thanks again!

We were also lucky enough to get Stu's notes and his recommendation for a Rome restaurant, Passetto, was perfect. Best meal of our trip. We stayed at Fonte Bertusi and loved it. We also visited nearby Podere Il Casale, which has a restaurant and organic farm. You can do olive oil tasting there as well as other activities. Their oils and wines were delicious.

Thank you Austin! great suggestion!

Another vote for Podere Il Casale - we visited and did the cheese tour which was excellent.

I believe we visited the farm/animals there with our children which was free. We did not have time for the cheese. We did however love the Pecorino di Pienza at Caseficio Cugusi