OUR FARM

Our farm is based on the classic Tuscan custom of holding the land in deep respect. Certified organic for more than 20 years, we do not use any chemicals and hold the well-being of both animals and the land in the highest regard. That helps us produce an extraordinarily high quality of meat, olive oil, white truffles and honey. In every decision, we attempt to strike a balance and take into account the development of the entire property, rather than concentrating only on profit. We consider the land to be in continuous transformation and treat the farm as a living organism.

landscape

Just under half of the property is dedicated to cultivated fields and grazing; the other half is covered by oak and poplar forests. In contrast to the cultivated areas where farming accentuates the typical green rolling hills, the age-old woods of Barbialla Nuova are an extraordinary refuge for deer, wild boars, hedgehogs, badgers and other woodland animals, as well as for various species of indigenous trees. The deepest parts of the wooded valleys are where you will find calanchi – unexpected walls of sand and clay that soar to peaks of up to one hundred meters in height – and fossils of shells from the sea of the Pliocene era (2.5 - 5.5 million years ago). In the damp valley floors of these forests grow the precious white truffle, 'tartufo bianco'. The estate is one of the few areas in the world in which the Tuber Magnatum Pico are found and, consequently, we have created an exclusive reserve dedicated to enhancing and monitoring this extraordinary 'fruit of the earth'. In the forests also are found porcini, chanterelle and parasol mushrooms. The lake, located just a few hundred meters from the farm buildings, is a useful reservoir of water for our cows and has always served as a watering hole for nocturnal animals. Surrounding the lake and throughout the property grow wild blackberries and dog rose. Mulberry trees, remnants of a time when silk was produced on the property, dot the areas around the houses and ruins. Chamomile blooms wild upon the hills; nettle, chicory and calamint can be found underfoot; elderberry trees and sloe bushes are scattered throughout the estate.

PRODUCTS & FARM TO TABLE PROJECT 

ORGANIC "CHIANINA" & FARM TO TABLE RESTAURANT

Called “the giant cow”, Chianina cattle are one of the tallest breeds in the world. Originally raised to work in the fields, only in the last century have they been bred exclusively for meat. Our herd is pasture-fed. Calves are weaned at 5 months; they are then moved to large open-air stables and fed hay and grain, all of which is grown and milled on the property. They are only given antibiotics if there is a risk of death; otherwise we rely entirely on homeopathic natural remedies. We try to avoid stressing the animals and we insist on having them sent to a local, family-run butcher. In year 2018 we opened a farm to table restaurant in Florence, where we offer all the cuts of our organic Chianina meat matched by a selection of local food.

ORGANIC OLIVE OIL

As in most of rural Italy, there have always been olive trees in Barbialla Nuova. A mix of Leccino, Moraiolo and Pendolino olives contribute to the production of an intensely fresh and slightly spicy organic olive oil. Our trees are hand pruned in late winter in the typical Tuscan tri-conic method and the fruits are hand-picked in late fall. The plants are fertilized with our own organic cow manure. Once picked, they are pressed under vacuum at 20°C and micro-filtered within three days. In our store, you'll find only the freshest organic olive oil from the past two years in various sizes.

ORGANIC HONEY

Barbialla Nuova is home to the bees of Alain Mouraret, a local beekeeper known for the excellent quality of his organic products. Aside from regular beehives, he also keeps fertilization cores to produce queen bees on the property. This delicate process takes around two weeks and involves the raising and mating of the queen bees which are then transferred to Mouraret's hives throughout Tuscany. Part of the importance of the process is the continuance of the Ligustica Italiana breed, which is one of the oldest and most important breeds in the continent. On our farm there are anywhere from 50 – 130 families, depending on the season. The honey he collects, which can be found in our store, range from French Honeysuckle to Mixed Flowers to Lindenflower to Acacia.

THE FARM SHOP

Near the Reception there's a little organic farm shop. besides the products made in Barbialla Nuova, you can find there some organic products which we get from the places we trust as for instance pasta from A Terra or passata from Sapore di Sole. For outside visitors, the shop is open every morning between 9 and 12:30 AM, between April and November.

WHITE TRUFFLES

Resembling little potatoes or stones, the precious Tuber Magnatum Pico is hunted with dogs and dug up to special fanfare. Its strong aroma and pure, earthy taste have made it one of the most prized truffles in existence. We sell our truffles only fresh within a few days of being found. As white truffles grow thanks to a symbiotic relationship with white poplar trees, the health of our forests is of great importance to us. Maintaining our truffle forests is an ongoing process and includes selective culling of various trees. We worked closely with the Università of Siena on innovative projects such as installing irrigation and planting out small white poplar forests.

TRUFFLE HUNTING 2024

From October 1st to December 1st 2024 we offer two-hour truffle hunts to mixed or private groups – 2 to 8 people maximum*. On the farm premises we have two trails of different difficulty (hard and easy, based on the fitness of our guests). We follow the truffle hunter and his dogs, discovering the amazing and unique process of hunting the precious white truffle of San Miniato. At the end of the walk, we offer a tasting of organic, local products at the farm shop including butter with our white truffle.

Send us an email if you want to join the hunt*, and click here if you want to watch a video shot by some of our guests.

*Hunts are organized preferably on Fridays and Saturday. If you need to join us on a different day, please write us an email. In case of rain we can't confirm the experience. Please, bring appropriate shoes.