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This episode takes listeners to the Tuscan hilltop town of Montalcino, home of the iconic Brunello di Montalcino. I sit down with Katia, co-founder of San Polino, one of the region’s pioneering organic and biodynamic wineries.

The story begins with love – Katia’s move from abroad to Italy after meeting Italian Gigi. Together, they transformed a small farm into a globally recognized winery, debuting their first Brunello in 2001.

We discuss the early struggles and triumphs, the philosophy and scale, Montalcino then and now, an much more.

The episode closes with a reflection on why Brunello – and winemakers like Katia and Gigi – inspire so deeply: great wine is about passion, keeping the land alive, with a touch of rebellion.

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In the heart of Chianti, where wine reigns supreme, one small farm is crafting a different kind of tradition. In this episode of Life is Grape in Tuscany, we sit down with Valentina of Podere Le Fornaci, a family-run goat farm in Greve that produces organic goat’s milk cheese with passion, care, and a deep love for the land.

We talk about how she and her husband left urban life behind to raise animals — and now a baby — in the Tuscan hills. Valentina shares what farm life really looks like, the unique beauty of goat’s milk cheese, and how sustainability shapes every corner of their work.

A story about simplicity, choice, and craft — this episode is a love letter to those carving out a life off the beaten path.

Website: https://poderelefornaci.it/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/poderelefornaci

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In this episode of Life is Grape in Tuscany, we venture into the green hills of Chianti Rufina to meet Alice of Forno La Torre, a new-generation baker with deep roots. Her family’s bakery specializes in naturally leavened bread made from local grains, and she’s preserving a tradition that’s as much about sustainability and place as it is about taste.

We talk about the challenges and rewards of working with ancient methods, her connection to the Slow Food movement, and why sourdough is more than a trend—it’s a lifestyle. You’ll even hear how her breads made their way to Formaggioteca Terroir, our Florence-based cheese and wine shop, where you can taste the difference for yourself.

This episode is for food lovers, slow life believers, and anyone who knows that behind every loaf of great bread is a great story.

Check out Forno La Torre:

https://www.fornolatorre.com/

https://www.instagram.com/fornolatorre