LE STAGIONI

Stay, ride and explore the essence of Tuscany from our podere in the heart of Chianti.

THE SEASONS

Immersed in nature, daily life in Territorio Toscana is governed by the seasons - the weather, growth cycles and local festivals and traditions. During your stay you will experience the seasons first hand and they will colour your memories. Check our Instagram to see what's happening right now.

Our growing season spans the full year. As we understand and recover more of our Podere the range of crops is increasing across our olive grove, vines and vegetable gardens. You are welcome to give us a hand!

We must confess to a slight cycling obsession and the seasons also impact our riding within the territorio and beyond. We ride a little MTB, strade bianche, gravel and road. Our cycling stay programme runs throughout the year, taking in major local events and allowing you to enjoy each season's different pleasures.

Beyond the bike there is much to enjoy. From food, wine and fashion to walking trails, historic villages, art and architecture, we will provide you with local insight so you get the most from your time in Tuscany. We are close to Siena and can organise a qualified guide to show you its hidden treasures, or just give you some tips on restaurants and shopping off the tourist trail.

SPRING

Spring sees an incredible explosion of growth and colour. It is our busiest season as we seed, plant, enrich the soil and continue the recovery of our Podere.

Spring marks the start of the European cycling season with the Strade Bianche world tour race and granfondo in early March. The Eroica rides start in this period for both gravel and vintage bikes.

Spring is also prime walking season with a number of marked trails at our doorstep. We can provide maps and guidance so you can enjoy castles, villages, vineyards and an excellent lunch.

SUMMER

Summers are usually hot and dry, with early mornings, long twilights, local festivals and dining 'sulla terrazza'.

We start harvesting our fruit and vegetables and often something on the Podere is being restored or rebuilt. The end of summer also sees the local vendemmia, the grape harvest. Our olive grove has hundreds of metres of walled terraces - our local stonemasons will be happy to teach you to build Tuscan dry stone walls.

Cycling season is well and truly underway. Days are perfect for long rides with an early morning start recommended. A number of local Granfondo's are held in this period.

AUTUMN

Autumn sees the landscape change from green to red to gold in a kaleidoscope of colour.

Mushrooms and olives come to the fore. In November we pick and press our olives at one of the local frantoio, olive presses. We are fortunate to have a number of local presses, some working 24hrs, to help guarantee the quality of the final product.

Autumn is also the season of final preparations for winter, including planting winter crops and trees to give a head start next spring.

L'Eroica, Gaiole in Chianti's famous classic bike event, is held in early October. We are located adjoining the Medio (130km) and Lungo (200km) routes and frequently train on these courses.

WINTER

Winter at Il Podere can only be described as magical. Think of roaring fires, red wine and hearty Tuscan food - ribollita, pici and cinghiale.

Winter gives us a breather from work on the land and we walk, ride mountain bikes and explore until February when the pruning of the olives begins. This is both art, science and there is even a local competition - if you are keen to learn our local agronomist can provide specialist pruning lessons.