FATTORIA LAVACCHIO

The history of the farm goes back to 1700 when the nobile Florence family of Peruzzi built it. In 1800 it passed onto the Marchesi Strozzi Sacrati di Mantova and until 1978 when the current owners, the Lottero brothers from Genova, great admirers of Tuscany, started its complete restoration therefore consenting the renewed productivity. From that time on the farm has kept the best farming traditions, that of biological cultivation and production of wine and oil, combining old hand craft methods with modern techniques. Within the grounds of the main house we can find an old cedar tree of Lebanon of more than 250 in age, which has become the symbol of the farm. THE BUSINESS: "respect for old traditions combined with modern techniques" The Farm, situated on the top of a hill of Montefiesole at about 450 metres high, and only 18 km from Florence, is a typical family run business. Hidden amongst the sweet rolling hills, rich in olive groves and vineyards and situated between the borough of Sieci and Pontassieve. On the Farm there is an area with the production of Chianti Rufina. The Lavacchio farm was the first to follow a biological production programme: A firm conviction, derived from the philosophy which the business has always followed: harmonising the actual business with the balance of nature. The Farm's production of wine, oil, wheat and vegetable garden products, came with the use of only organic substances for the cure of the plants, with nature you ask for collaboration. To fight the attack of harmful parasites they favour the conservation in areas where other antagonist animals can live on the same parasites. To closely control the presence of diseases hundreds of roses have been planted near the vineyards, because they are particularly sensitive to certain diseases. Biological farming is nevertheless carried out by using modern means and local knowledge, respecting in full the balance of nature, following the correct use of the land by man.