A trip to Siena to discover the products of the territory: the extra-virgin olive oil
The food and wine tourist
There are so many travelers nowadays who love to choose their destination by combining art, culture and good food: today many of them plan their trips between cities and areas of production of the best Italian products. Visits are not only focused anymore on historical centers, churches, museums and artworks, but also the countryside or small villages, to enjoy renowned restaurants that offer local and traditional cuisine, or farms or cellars where you can be guided to discover the best products of the area. If you also consider yourself a food trotter (as this type of traveler is referred to), you will love visiting Siena and its hills. Here you will find everything that can make your stay unforgettable: art, history, lively traditions, courtesy and joviality, but also a postcard-worthy countryside, excellent cured meats, traditional desserts, wine, cheese and above all an oil among the best of Italy.
The olives harvest
The Siena countryside in autumn is full of families at work: from large farms to small farmhouses, in fact, olive groves become full of people for the harvest of olives. It usually takes place between mid-November and mid-December, with a variable start depending on the area and the summer that has just passed: the olives are harvested when they reach the maximum size and strictly before they begin to fall. The operation is tiring and challenging because it is still hand-made, like in the past: for this it requires the cooperation of experienced labourers, entire families and friends. Many Tuscan farmhouses allow visitors who wish to participate actively in the harvest: the work turns into a party when it’s snack time, when everybody eats together, sharing bread and cheese, cured meats and simple meals. After harvesting, everybody goes to the olive mill and experience the squeezing of an oil that has always been considered one of the best in Italy, thanks to its scent and delicacy. Tuscan oil is characterised by notes of fruits and artichoke, almond and fresh herbs, and for its slightly spicy and bitter notes. This oil, balanced and decided, is the protagonist of so many dishes of the local tradition, starting from the classic, simple but delicious fettunta.
The farmhouse Villa Agostoli
If all this fascinates you and the food and wine tourism suits you, you will find a real paradise at Villa Agostoli. The farm includes a vineyard that produces an excellent Chianti wine, an olive grove, a chestnut tree and a organic garden. Guests are welcomed in independent apartments and villas, surrounded by green, silence and scents of the countryside of Siena. You will have the opportunity to enjoy organic products, outdoor dining, barbecue, experience the olive and grapes harvest and appreciate its products. Villa Agostoli is a small oasis of peace just 6 km from Siena, the perfect place for families with children, that are treated with special attention. In case you have a four-legged friend, do not leave it at home, as it is welcome here.