Spannocchia Information

Tenuta di Spannocchia
Siena, Italy
Who We Are
The Spannocchia Foundation is a group of committed members that supports educational programs, environmental conservation, and
research at the Castello di Spannocchia – an educational center based on an organic farm in Tuscany, roughly 12 miles west of Siena,
Italy. Today Spannocchia consists of 1,100 acres of forests, pastures, and crops. About 900 acres are harvested for forest products; 130
acres are cultivated for grains, legumes, and animal pasture; and 15 acres for grapes, olives, and fruit. In addition to maintaining 800
olive trees and a large vegetable garden, Spannocchia raises local heritage breeds of farm animals and produces regionally-recognized
salumi (salt cured pork) products.
Programs & Accommodations
The main program supported by the Spannocchia Foundation is a residential farm internship program focused on sustainable
agriculture and Tuscan culture and history. It also supports one to two week education and enrichment programs focused on landscape
preservation, drawing, painting, architectural preservation, writing, Etruscan history, ceramics, sustainable agriculture and more. Castello
di Spannocchia provides accommodations, meals and studio space for programs. While not in classes or seminars, guests are encouraged
to explore the property, or to gather on the terrace or by the pool to relax. Self-catering farmhouses are also available for weekly rental to
Spannocchia Foundation members interested in exploring the local area and experiencing a vacation on a working organic farm.
Spannocchia was recently noted as one of the 15 Favorite Green Hotels in Travel & Leisure, recommended among the Top 10 Ecolodges
and Green Hotels on IndependentTraveler.com and was selected by Conde Nast Traveler for its 12th Annual Green List of Lodges and
Resorts in 2006.
Our History & Mission
The first historic reference to Spannocchia was in the 1100’s when the Spannocchi family built a castle tower on the property. From then
through the 1960’s the property functioned as an agricultural estate under the mezzadria system in which tenant farmers shared their
crops with the owner. In 1925, Delfino Cinelli acquired Spannocchia as a retreat where he could write. In 1942, Spannocchia was passed
to his son, Ferdinando, who started using it as a base for research on the history and culture of the Etruscans (after whom the Tuscan
region is named). The Cinelli family still owns the land.
The mission of the Spannocchia Foundation is to encourage global dialogue about sustaining cultural landscapes for future generations.
We are committed to: promoting sustainable organic agriculture and forestry practices, supporting research and education on the
ecological and cultural history of the Tuscan region of Italy, providing a venue for artists whose work and presence complement the
Foundation’s mission, and becoming a valued, recognized member of the local community in Tuscany.
For more information contact: Erin Cinelli, Executive Director, at [email protected].
To learn more about the Spannocchia Foundation visit www.spannocchia.org and for accommodations at Spannocchia visit www.spannocchia.com.
PO Box 10531, Portland, Maine 04104, Phone 207-730-1154, Fax 207-846-3899