Podere San Lorenzo

10/08/2026

31/03/2026

March 2026 was a big month for us. We planned to move from Switzerland to Italy.
We left on time but we have a slight delay moving in.
The next target date to start our new life in Volterra is end of May.

It feels as though our project has just become bigger but we are very happy with the delicate & complex construction work that has been done. We truly love the contemporary Tuscan look and feel that can only be created by local artisans.

We had more than a few surprises on this journey that started 06.01.2021. A building that is over 900 years old kept a few secrets for us to discover. Nature also provided us with a few more challenges on the way.

We cannot wait to share Podere San Lorenzo with our guests.

With only a few more weeks to go we can start looking forward to working on the interiors for an opening in 2027.

04/09/2025

CHESTNUT & WILD FLOWERS HONEY
Made

Like most darker honeys, chestnut honey is exceptionally rich in antioxidants & nitrates. Nitrates supports a healthy digestion.
It has a unique wild forest like aroma accompanied by a gentle sweetness - best for those who prefer less sugary foods. At times the bees also collect a touch if honeydew from the chestnut trees, and this addition lends traces molasses and caramel notes that enrich the honey’s complexity.
Best paired with matured aromatic cheeses & game dished.

We have 30 kg of our own honey so far this year.

Thank you for taking care of the bees.

03/09/2025

TERRACOTTA TILES
A treasured tradition

Staying true to the Tuscan artisan tradition of using terracotta on floors, these are the handmade tiles we have chosen to cover the interiors for Podere San Lorenzo.
The handmade finish allows for each tile to show unique aesthetics.

Historically in Italy the use of terracotta dates back to the Roman times.
Terracotta means “baked earth”. They are ceramic tiles made from natural clay. Their earthy colors range from reds & oranges to browns & yellows. The production process involves selecting the high quality clay, molding it into desired shapes, and allowing it to dry to eliminate moisture. Once dried, the tiles are fired in a kiln at temperatures ranging from 1,000 to 1,200 degrees Celsius.

The clay’s composition and firing techniques influence the tiles porosity, density, and color variations.

We love the unique aesthetics, natural variations and the rustic warm feel it gives to the interiors.
We will have square, rectangular and listello shapes for our floors.

31/08/2025

VEGETABLE GARDEN WITH A TWIST
A whole new world opens up when you start thinking about an organic vegetable garden that is also a focal point when arriving at Podere San Lorenzo.
So the challenge is to find a good balance beween beautiful looking vegetables and a good mix of flowers and herbs to create a space that not only is harvested but can also be enjoyed and admired.
The images are a few examples we found to help us work on this idea.

20/07/2025

THE SAN LORENZO VINEYARD

Our first real experience with global warming has definitely been the 2 year delay in plating our own vineyard.
Early June 2025 nature allowed us to plant our Vermentino - clone 640 & our Sangiovese - clone BBS11 varieties.
Six weeks later we celebrate the little green shoots fighting their way up against the odds - the more they stress at this point the stronger their root system will grow to survive future challenges.
Giulio waters these newbies once a week, allowing about 10 liters per vine if there is no rain.
The rootstock 1103P was chosen for its good salt tolerance and it has proven to do well both in drought and excess water conditions.
Choosing these varieties gives us the option to make a wide spectrum of wines: red, white, rosé & sparkling.

06/05/2025

CONTEMPORARY PLANTING BEDS
Behind this organically shaped island planting design there is a clear direction to move away from perfectly edged high maintenance borders & central lawns - a far more ecological approach that feels more natural, creating dedicated spaces to relax in

Design by Floricotura Girasole

29/01/2025

FORMAL ITALIAN LAYOUT with a TWIST
This is going to be the organic vegetable & cutting garden of Podere San Lorenzo. We are brainstorming & working together with our team from - Luca & Betsy - to develop ideas for this special setting. We have over 800 sqm to play with.

We are going to work within a structured framework but the actual planting will be very informal & playful.

All very exciting, it also means a whole lot of studying in the background for the team who will maintain the space. To help us “newbees” in managing natures produce we are planning larger areas for perennial flowers that will re-appear each year as part of the design. Plants we are in-love with already: Double Bearded Iris, Peonies, Euphorbia Oblongata, lots of Rosemary for foliage & some Cosmos and Dahlias.
My ultimate favorite is the Artichoke!

The outdoor kitchen inspiration is still only on paper but I can already see myself in this space!

30/10/2024

The most inspirational & challenging part of renovating a structure that is over 900 years old must be the search for pieces & finishes that capture the essence & sense of place.

These precious antique majolica tiles will play an important role to bring back time into our interiors. They will be carefully chosen to be placed in our tasting room kitchen & as a focal point in the heart of our shared spaces: the eatery.

04/08/2024

PLANTING THE ORGANIC VINEYARD 🍇

Together with our partners, we are now ready to plant our 1 ha vineyard in December.
Our grape selection is:
• 2500 Sangiovese
• 1500 Vermentino vines

Sangiovese grapes will allow us the flexibility of producing not only a red wine for the cooler months but also a rosé or even some sparkling wine to serve during the hot summer period.
Vermentino produces a white wine with lively citrus aromas. A perfect glass to enjoy as a lunch companion or an aperitivo.

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