6 Bedroom Farmhouse in Montepulciano

Poggio Etrusco is a privately owned organic farm near Montepulciano, halfway between Florence and Rome. The owners are Pamela Sheldon Johns (a cookbook author) and Johnny Johns (an artist). On 15 acres, this property is an active oliveto with over 800 olive trees and production of an exceptional organic extra-virgin olive oil. 
 
The villa has three private apartments available for holiday rentals, and one double room, all with a 2-night minimum. Each apartment has a fully-equipped kitchen and living area with a fireplace. They are tastefully decorated with antiques and artwork, each with lovely views. 
 
Guests are encouraged to pick fresh, seasonal produce from from the kitchen garden and will enjoy homemade jams from the plum, fig, apricot, peach, and cherry trees at breakfast. 
 
The views are breath-taking from every angle. In the distance you can see the charming hilltown of Cortona and Lago Trasimeno; nearby we see the ancient towers of the historic towns of Montepulciano and Chianciano Terme. Poggio Etrusco is in the countryside, but has close access to everything you will need. 
 
The large swimming pool is a welcome respite in the summer months. Cooking classes are available. Nearby, you can find tennis, bicycle rentals, and horseback riding. The property is within minutes of Montepulciano Terme and Chianciano Terme; both offer a wide variety of spa treatments. 
 
The apartment prices are as follows: 
 
* Ginestra: Sleeps two. Apartment with one double bedroom (twin or matrimonial), living room/kitchen with fireplace and one bathroom. Ground floor, private porch. 
Euro 1200/week (Euro 175/night, 2 night minimum), includes breakfast 
 
* Margherita: A matrimonial room for bed & breakfast stays. Private bathroom and private entrance. 
Euro 85/night, includes breakfast (2 night minimum) 
 
* Note: Ginestra can also be joined with Margherita to make a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment: 
Ginestra and Margherita together, Euro 1750/week, includes breakfast 
 
* Gelsomino: Sleeps four. Two bedroom apartment (two matrimonial bedrooms), living room/kitchen with fireplace, and one bathroom. Upstairs, airy and light. 
Euro 1550/ week (Euro 225/night, 2 night minimum), includes breakfast 
 
* Girasole: Sleeps four. Two bedroom apartment (one matrimonial bedroom and one twin or matrimonial bedroom ), living room/kitchen with fireplace, and two bathrooms. Upstairs, very spacious with exceptional views. Has internal stairs, may not be appropriate for toddlers. 
Euro 1875/week (Euro 275/night, 2 night minimum), includes breakfast 
 
Within 15 minutes of Poggio Etrusco 
* The wine-inspired hilltop town of Montepulciano 
* Charming Renaissance Pienza and Monticchiello 
* Medieval Montefollonico 
* The Etruscan town of Chiusi 
* The spa town of Chianciano Terme 
 
Within 30 minutes of Poggio Etrusco 
* Montalcino, famed for Brunello wine 
* San Giovanni d’Asso, home of white truffles 
* Bagno Vignone, site of an ancient Roman Bath 
* Mt. Amiata, the extinct volcano 
* Under the Tuscan sun in Cortona 
* Sarteano, San Quirico d’Orcia, Cetona, and other colorful towns 
 
Within 45 minutes to an hour from Poggio Etrusco 
* Siena, Chianti, Arezzo 
* The Umbrian towns of Perugia, Orvieto, Assisi and Deruta 
 
Read about us! 
• Watch for us an upcoming 2010 issue of Travel + Leisure! and also on CNN!! 
• Cooking Light magazine Aug 2009 article about Pamela's program in Cinque Terre 
• Food & Wine magazine Sept. 2007 names Italian Food Artisans in Top Cooking Schools in Italy 
• Canadian Geographic magazine March 2008 article about Poggio Etrusco's organic olive harvest/culinary program 
• Recent guest raves at SlowTrav.com: www.slowtrav.com and TripAdvisor.com 
• Dream of Italy newsletter, see http://www.dreamofitaly.com/public/630.cfm 
• We're on Facebook.com: Poggio Etrusco... become a fan! 
 

Immerse yourself in the unique culture and lifestyle of Tuscany by experiencing the passion of food and wine in the kitchen, at the table, and in the marketplace. Workshops include hands-on cooking classes or demonstrations at local restaurants, visits to local food artisans. The classes are taught in English or fully translated, and offer you the experience of regional, seasonal Italian cuisine. Courses are directed by Pamela Sheldon Johns, author of 16 cookbooks specializing in traditional, artisanal, regional Italian cuisine. Pamela has spent nearly twenty years working in Italy, overseeing week-long culinary programs and exploring the backroads of Italian food culture. She lives at Poggio Etrusco with her family, and produces a high quality organic extra-virgin olive oil. Pamela also offers workshops in several other regions of Italy. For more info about the culinary workshops and Pamela's cookbooks, see www.FoodArtisans.com

Reaching south from Florence, the province of Siena ripples with the gentle forested hills of Chianti into the rich valleys of the Chiana and Orcia Rivers. The area bubbles with the earthly pleasures of hot mineral waters and agricultural wonders. This area is famous for Sangiovese wine: our local wine is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and nearby you will also find Brunello, Morellino, and Chianti. The rolling hills are perfect for walking, bicycling, and horseback riding.  
It is not uncommon to see deer, foxes, porcupine, pheasant, and perhaps even wild boar as you drive or walk the area. 
 
The highlighted foods of this area are the pecorino cheese, truffles and porcini mushrooms, and Chianina beef. You’ll also be introduced to some uniquely local products such as a pasta called pici and a pork sausage called finocchiata, which is salted and cured in a coating of aromatic wild fennel flowers and black pepper.