Eastern Tuscany's larder is extraordinary — wine, olive oil, cheese, truffles and craft beer made by people who've been doing it for generations. Most of them are our neighbours.
Within 30 minutes of Il Vigno you'll find some of the finest small-scale food and drink producers in Italy. Most are unknown outside their own valley. All are worth visiting — and most welcome guests who take the trouble to show up.
The Valtiberina produces Sangiovese-based wines under the Colli Altotiberini DOC. Several small estates near Sansepolcro offer cellar door tastings, including outstanding biodynamic producers. Ask us for introductions.
The hills around Caprese Michelangelo produce intensely green, peppery extra-virgin olive oil. The harvest runs October–November — some farms welcome visitors to watch the pressing and buy direct from the mill.
Local pecorino, fresh ricotta and aged Caciotta from small family dairies throughout the Casentino and Valtiberina. The weekly markets in Sansepolcro and Anghiari are the easiest places to taste and buy.
The forests above Caprese are prime truffle territory — white truffles in autumn, black year-round. Several local guides offer morning hunts with trained dogs, ending with a fresh truffle breakfast. Ask us to arrange one. Porcini season runs July to October after rain.
A small but serious craft beer scene has grown in the Valtiberina over the past decade. Several microbreweries near Sansepolcro welcome visitors — call ahead and you'll likely get a full tour and tasting alongside the beer.
The chestnut forests produce the Marrone di Caprese Michelangelo — a celebrated DOP variety harvested in October. Chestnut honey is the local specialty. The autumn harvest festival in Caprese celebrates both. Farm shops sell both year-round.
The essentials: extra-virgin olive oil (buy direct from a mill), aged pecorino (vacuum-sealed travels well), Colli Altotiberini wine, dried porcini in season, and chestnut flour. We advise on the best current sources when you arrive.
Markets: Sansepolcro holds a large weekly market on Tuesdays and Saturdays — one of the best in the region. Anghiari has its market on Wednesdays. Both are within 25 minutes of Il Vigno and worth an early morning visit.
Cellar doors: Most small producers here don't advertise. The best visits come through introductions. We know many of our neighbouring producers personally and are happy to help arrange visits.
Truffle hunts: We can arrange a morning truffle hunt with a local guide — dogs, forest, digging, and a fresh truffle breakfast at the end. One of the most memorable experiences near Il Vigno. Ask when you book your stay.
Harvest season (Oct–Nov): The best time to visit producers. Oil mills are pressing, chestnuts are falling, porcini are in the markets and the landscape is extraordinary. If you can come in autumn, do.
We give all guests current recommendations for the best local producers and markets. We're happy to make introductions and arrange visits. Ask us before you arrive, or read about the food we serve at Il Vigno.
Il Vigno is an adults-only agriturismo in the heart of eastern Tuscany's finest food and wine country. Book direct and save 10% with code DIRECT10.
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