Open farms and cheese factories in September, a weekend of taste in Gambassi Terme!
If you never shy away from a plate of cheese, if you are one of those who think that “your mouth isn’t watering if you’re not tasting a cow”, if your guilty pleasures are dairy products, September is the month for you!
Dairy Farm Open Day
On September 11th and 12th, Dairy Farm Open Day, an event that for the past four years has allowed gourmets and enthusiasts to get to know and visit farms and livestock farms all over Italy, will be held once again. A weekend of discovery for adults and children, including cheese tastings and guided tours, to see and touch what it means to be shepherds, cheese makers and farmers today.
In Gambassi Terme, Dairy Farm Open Day has always been hosted by Le Caprine – its name refers to its wonderful goats – which opens its farm, cheese factory and breeding farm for guided tours and tastings. Now a point of reference for goat cheese enthusiasts – with a courageous proposal that looks beyond the Alps, in a region historically devoted to other types of milk and cheese – Le Caprine are joined this year by a network of agricultural producers in the Gambassi area. These are our best farms, the farmers who care for our land and whose various local and organic products we like to support: in short, that rural world we have often written about.
On September 11th and 12th, those who come to Gambassi Terme following the scents of cheese can take the opportunity to get to know and taste other local products, including wines and extra virgin olive oil, saffron and jams, pasta made from ancient grains and cereals.
A truly tasteful weekend awaits you among cheese factories and open farms!
Below, you can find out which farms and producers are opening their doors.
Please remember that booking is compulsory for everyone!
Don’t hesitate to call or write for information. In these times of restricted access for everyone’s safety, it’s better not to improvise and not to take risks!
Farms and Cheese Makers
Fattoria Le Caprine
Open Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
Email: fattorialecaprine@gmail.com
Cell. 331 41 99 690 – Matteo will answer
Poggio di Camporbiano
Tastings and guided tours of the farm, where organic is a way of life!
Open Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
Email: azienda@poggiodicamporbiano.it
Cell. 335 77 98 883 – Fabio will answer
The Poggio di Camporbiano farm was founded in 1988 thanks to a group of friends who share a great love and respect for nature. Dedicated to organic and biodynamic agriculture, Poggio di Camporbiano cultivates and breeds following the rhythms and needs of plants and animals, without the use of chemicals or antibiotics, ensuring a balanced and sustainable environment. Organic farming in Camporbiano is a path and a life choice, which is reflected in the work on the land and in farming. Camporbiano is much more than a certificate!
Azienda Agricola La Taverna
Jam tasting and guided tours of the grounds
Open Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
Email: azagrlataverna@virgilio.it
Cell. 327 22 56 797 – Maria Elena will answer
La Taverna is a family-run organic farm that produces saffron, aromatic herbs, pearl spelt, extra virgin olive oil, jams, spelt-flavoured farm beer, vegetables and chilli peppers. With a majestic view of the Volterra hills, a visit with Maria Elena is an immersion in Mediterranean scents, colours and landscapes. The same ones you will find in her bold and unique jams!
Not only Cheese Farms: Wine Cellars
Villa Pillo
Tastings and guided tours of the Villa’s historic cellars
Open Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
Email: info@villapillo.com
Cell. 327 22 56 797 –Pamela will answer
The Villa Pillo estate stretches along Stage 30 of the Via Francigena. Founded in the 18th century by the Marchesi Incontri, this historic winery is internationally renowned thanks to the more recent management of the patrons John and Kathe Dyson, an American husband and wife who have been involved in the restoration of the estate and the renewal of wine production, blending traditional methods with innovative Californian techniques.
Azienda Agricola Corbucci
Wine tastings (with what may be the most photographed balcony overlooking vineyards in Gambassi Terme!)
Open Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
Email: info@corbuccichianti.com
Cell. 339 61 25 300 – Francesco will answer
The Corbucci family cultivate 25 hectares of olive groves and vineyards on well-drained, sunny soil: the vine varieties are Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo and Trebbiano. They produce seven labels, from Chianti DOCG to Vernaccia di San Gimignano, including a Chianti DOCG Reserve aged for 24 months in small oak barrels
Agricola Tamburini
Tastings with Emanuela, oenologist and grand dame of Tuscan wine!
Open Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
Email: emanuela@agricolatamburini.it
Cell. 339 76 69 343 – Emanuela will answer
This winery is a member of the Movement for Wine Tourism and is a cornerstone of the Tuscan chapter of Open Cellars, one of the most important wine tourism events in Italy.
The production follows the principles of organic farming and consists of a wide selection of Tuscan wines: four IGT Toscana, two Chianti, one Brunello, Vin Santo and Grappa. It recently launched a new blend, Douscana, born from the union of Sangiovese and Touriga National, a grape variety typical of the Douro area in Portugal.
Azienda Agricola Santa Lucia
Wine tastings
Open Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
Email: info@agrisantalucia.com
Cell. 335 77 98 883 – Daniela will answer
The Gasparri family has been involved in wine and olive oil for generations. Every year Santa Lucia harvests over 120 hectares of Chianti and IGT vineyards, for quality wines made using strictly natural methods. Alongside the vineyards are 4000 olive trees – Frantoio, Leccino, Pendolino and Moraiolo – harvested by hand, for a cold pressing that gives the extra virgin olive oil a balanced and unique taste.
Agriturismo Renai e Monte
Tastings of extra virgin olive oil and local wines [from the Cantina Sociale dei Colli Fiorentini]
Open Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
Email: info@renaiemonte.com
Cell. 328 78 74 250 – Ilaria will answer
Renai e Monte has been a holiday farm since 1992 and a farm for four generations. It is owned by the Baragli family, and today Ilaria, the youngest, is at the helm, heir to the most typical spirit of Tuscan hospitality. The farm is dedicated to the production of olive oil and viticulture. For a wine tasting deep in the vineyards – those surrounding the farmhouse -September is the best month!
Agriturismo Pietralta
Guided tours of the winery and wine tastings with Franca and Stefan
Open Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
Email: info@pietralta.it
Cell. 335 52 00 959 – Franca will answer
Near Poggio di Camporbiano, Pietralta is a farmhouse and winery that has been dedicated to organic production for decades. In this little paradise surrounded by woods and vineyards you can taste four red wines – a Chianti DOCG, a Chianti Riserva DOCG and two Tuscan IGTs, Brinato and Solivagus, a white Tuscan IGT and Terra Rosa, a Tuscan IGT rosé.
Agriturismo Pompone e Pola
Open Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
Tastings of wines (and an excellent Vinsanto)…
Email: info@pompone.net
Cell. 329 74 19 113 – Elisabetta will answer
Agriturismo Pompone e Pola is an old farmhouse with views of Certaldo and San Gimignano. Elisabetta Cioni, who now leads this family adventure and passion, will guide you through a tasting of their wines: we recommend the excellent vinsanto!
Azienda Agricola Casanuova
Degustazioni di vini lungo la Via Francigena
Open Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September
Email: aziendacasanuova@gmail.com
Cell. 335 68 42 356 – Caterina will answer
For those who have travelled the stage of the Via Francigena between Gambassi Terme and San Gimignano, Casanuova is a familiar face, if you can call it that: with its coats of arms, wall paintings and signs decorating one of its facades, it is among the most photographed views along this stretch. Caterina and Saverio, who are the two souls of this winery, cultivate the typical grapes of the area – Sangiovese, Trebbiano Toscano, Merlot, Malvasia – and produce organic wines of excellent quality in their cellar.
