Living the Landwith Respect
1,400 years as guardians of this landscape. Sustainability isn't a policy — it's simply how we live here.
Certified Organic · Local Sourcing · Zero WasteNot a Choice, a Way of Life
At Podere Spedalone, sustainability wasn't born in a marketing meeting. It was born from the land itself — from the Benedictine monks who planted our olive trees in the 13th century, from the farmers who built the dry-stone terraces, from the families who for centuries closed the agricultural circle without wasting a thing.
Today we carry that same work forward with the same principles: we collect rainwater, compost food scraps, farm organically, source locally, generate renewable energy and charge our guests' electric vehicles. Not because it's required — because it's simply the right way to do things.
"We do not inherit the land from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children."
Sustainability You Can Measure
hectares
our olive trees
to landfill
locally or on-estate
we're open
Environmental Sustainability
Every operational decision is made with the surrounding UNESCO landscape in mind. These are the concrete commitments we put into practice every single day.
Renewable Energy
We use renewable energy sources including solar power throughout the property. All lighting and appliances are high-efficiency. We actively promote mindful energy use among guests and staff alike.
Rainwater Harvesting
We collect and reuse rainwater to irrigate the garden and water the animals. Low-flow taps and drip irrigation keep water consumption to a minimum. Guests are encouraged to participate in conservation efforts during their stay.
Zero Food Waste
All food scraps are fed to the farm animals or composted back into the soil. We recycle rigorously and work to eliminate single-use plastics entirely. Nothing goes to landfill if we can prevent it.
Certified Organic Farming
We grow all our produce — olive oil, vegetables, herbs — under certified organic practices, with no pesticides or chemical fertilisers. Soil health is maintained through crop rotation and natural fertilisation.
Biodiversity
We protect and enhance natural habitats across the property. We plant native species to support local wildlife and pollinators. The medieval dry-stone terraces — among the last surviving in Tuscany — are maintained as both ecological and historical heritage.
EV Charging
We provide electric vehicle charging points for our guests. We actively encourage low-impact travel and electric mobility as an alternative to traditional transport — it's a small thing that makes a real difference at scale.
Planted by Monksin the 13th Century
Our olive trees were planted by Olivetani monks in the 1300s on dry-stone terraces that are among the last of their kind in Tuscany. They are over 700 years old.
Farming them organically isn't a commercial choice — it's an act of respect for those who planted them and those who will inherit them. Our extra-virgin olive oil is cold-pressed, world-class in polyphenol content, and shipped worldwide.
- EU organic certification — no pesticides, no chemical fertilisers
- Hand-harvested to protect fruit and roots
- Cold-pressed on the day of harvest
- Three varieties: estate blend, monocultivar Canino/Olivastra, monocultivar Frantoio
- Available worldwide — order online or taste on-estate (€10/person)
Social Responsibility
Sustainability isn't only about nature — it's about people too. Our guests, our staff, our local suppliers and the wider Val d'Orcia community are all part of how we operate.
Local Sourcing & Artisans
We work with local farmers, artisans and businesses to supply La Pecora Bianca restaurant. Prioritising regional suppliers reduces our carbon footprint and directly strengthens the local economy of the Val d'Orcia.
Education & Knowledge Sharing
We offer Tuscan cooking classes, truffle hunting with trained dogs, olive oil tastings and guided walks across 33 hectares of estate. Every experience is also an opportunity to share the history and culture of this extraordinary landscape.
Staff Wellbeing
We provide fair wages, safe working conditions and opportunities for professional growth. We promote a workplace culture that values diversity, respect and collaboration — because sustainability starts with how you treat people.
Responsible Tourism
We share information about local history, ecology and culture to deepen our guests' experience and encourage conscious travel. Our guests don't simply visit — they become active witnesses to a landscape that has endured for centuries.
Economic Responsibility
Economic sustainability is the foundation of everything else — without sound management, no environmental or social commitment can endure over time.
Long-Term Investment
We continuously invest in structural improvements that increase energy and operational efficiency — from solar panels and EV charging points to rainwater systems and cellar upgrades. Every investment is chosen for its long-term return to the estate and the landscape.
Supporting the Local Economy
We give absolute priority to local and regional suppliers, reducing our carbon footprint while reinvesting directly in the territory. We collaborate with nearby attractions and businesses to promote sustainable tourism across the Val d'Orcia.
Ethical Diversification
Our revenue streams — accommodation, restaurant, organic olive oil, experiences, private events and corporate retreats — are all built around the land and its identity. None of our offerings conflicts with our sustainability values.
From the Fieldto the Table
Our restaurant La Pecora Bianca is the most direct expression of our philosophy — ingredients come from the kitchen garden, the woodland, the estate's animals and local producers. The distance between the land and the plate is minimal. Sometimes just a few metres.
We post the menu on Instagram every morning because it changes every day, following what the season offers. Not the other way around.
- ✓Seasonal menu updated daily
- ✓Organic produce from the estate garden and woodlands
- ✓Open to staying guests and outside visitors — no overnight stay required
- ✓Wood-fired pizza evenings for groups, private dinners and breakfasts
The JourneyNever Ends
Sustainability is a path, not a destination. Every year we review our practices, gather feedback from guests and staff, and set new measurable goals.
Annual Review
We update our sustainability practices every year to incorporate new technologies and knowledge. What is good today can always be better tomorrow — and we hold ourselves to that standard.
Guest Involvement
Guests are partners in our commitment. We involve them actively, gather their feedback and share our progress with them. Sustainability is more effective — and more meaningful — when it is shared.
Measurable Targets
We set concrete objectives to monitor progress: water and energy consumption, percentage of local sourcing, packaging reduction. What gets measured, improves.
A Model for the Region
We aim to be a reference point for sustainable hospitality in Tuscany — sharing our practices with other agriturismi and contributing to the protection of the Val d'Orcia UNESCO World Heritage landscape for future generations.
The Three Pillars of Our Sustainability
Environmental
Certified organic farming, rainwater harvesting, zero food waste, renewable energy, EV charging, and protection of biodiversity and medieval dry-stone terraces.
Social
Local sourcing, artisan suppliers, educational experiences, staff wellbeing and responsible tourism at the heart of the UNESCO Val d'Orcia heritage landscape.
Economic
Long-term investment, ethical diversification, support for the local Val d'Orcia economy and responsible stewardship of the estate's resources and assets.
Experience the Val d'Orcia the Right Way
Stay, eat, explore — in harmony with the land that welcomes you. Podere Spedalone is open 363 days a year.
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