Description
We start our tour from “Botteghina di Scorgiano“, our little store. Then we’ll walk trough our pigs breeding, walking in the shadow of the woods, approaching from newborn to adult pigs. We’ll tell you the difference between the food necessity of pigs during the year and how it changes with their age, we’ll also tell you about the pigs predators and the risk of extinction of Cinta Senese pigs.
Of course we’ll answer all your questions!
Along our way we will find waiting for us two little wild boar, a Tibetan goat, several ornamental ducks from various parts of the world and two donkeys.
The wild boars are still young and impetuous, however they will approach and will be happy if you want to gave them with fresh grass, the Tibetan goat have really a particular character, wich I will explain and show you when we meet her, the ornamental ducks will be admired and photograph but they are not extremely sociable, donkeys are extremely sociable, they love people and indeed, as you can hear, they will call us out in the hope of making us hurry to get to them so that we can give them some grass or hay and scratch them where they itch, they love to be photographed and I will teach you how to take a selfie hugging them, of course you will then have to tag them on their Instagram page.
We will meet these animals twice along the way, so there will be opportunities to interact with them and photograph them.
At the end of our tour we’ll be back to our “botteghina” where you can taste our artisanal salami and ham production seating in the shadow drinking cold soft drinks.
All the tour will be inside our organic family farm, Scorgiano azienda agraria. My family has owned this farm for centuries. In 2001 we restarted pig breeding improving the quality of our salami. From 2012 to 2014 the University of Agriculture of Florence asked us to study how the feed and the differences between grassland, acorn and tubers affect the welfare and development of pigs, defining the best rotation for the animals. I left the city to follow the call of the countryside, and to dedicate my life to the farm everyday duties.
It’s usual for us to have wild animals in the house to feed with baby bottles, wild boar, goats, hares, roe deer.
We strongly recommend comfortable sneakers or trekking shoes, the roads we will walk on are good and therefore no walking sticks are needed, the path is mostly shady but we still suggest a sun hat, you can freely shoot photos and videos with your equipment.
The experience will start at 9:00 am and will end at approximately 2:00 pm, guests will be offered a drink upon arrival (water, fruit juice, coffee, wine or beer) and the use of the bathroom, at the end of the experience will be rewarded with an extensive tasting of all the cured meats we get from our pigs, accompanied by our oil, cheese from a nearby company and obviously all accompanied by water, wine, beer, fruit juice and coffee.
- Under 6 years the experience will be free (children)
- From 6 to 11 years a price of € 23.00 will be applied (boys)
- From 12 years old a price of 40.00 € (adults) will be applied
In the case of a group of six or more adults, a price of € 33.00 will be applied
It is possible to request the exclusivity of the experience at the time of booking by paying a surcharge.
EXPERIENCE ORGANIZED BY:
La Botteghina di Scorgiano
WHAT’S INCLUDED
MEETING POINT
BOOKING METHOD AND CANCELLATION TERMS
- Reservation required;
- Payment in cash or by card upon arrival;
- There are no cancellation fees, but please notify us as soon as possible in case you are unable to come.
James and Mayumi (verified owner) –
La Botteghina di Scorgiano. One of the highlights of a week in Tuscany was hands down a tour of this pig farm! The wider property of mainly olive/grape plots have been in Lapo’s family for generations and in more recent years they took on the mantle of breeding ‘Cinta Senese’ pigs to produce what is surely some of the best free range pork in the world.
Lapo is so passionate and knowledgeable about the pigs and wider culture/farming in Tuscany, the several hour tour flew by with his endless stories and it definitely made me consider a career jump as a pig farmer!
Starting with an introduction to his motley gang of random farm animals including birds, a pony, a donkey and 2 domesticated boar, we soon entered the shade of the forest and the huge enclosures where the pig roam free and although shy at first, soon approach and appreciate new guests.
Stories of the pigs’ breeding projects/research, wolf pack encroachment and management methods, local hunting culture, and social dynamics between the different litters and groups of pigs, made for a fascinating tour which was rounded off by a look inside the walk in fridge and delicious looking racks of cured hams.
For lunch in the modern on site restaurant, an assortment of breads, spreads, cheeses and salami/cured meat from the farm, along with local wine, was more than enough for even myself and we left with full belies.
I cannot recommend it enough if you are in the Florence/San Gimignano area and it also ties in nicely as a day trip with visiting Monteriggioni or another smaller town/attraction in the afternoon. Lapo and his family are doing amazing work here raising happy healthy animals in the most ethical way, and a tour of their property will surely leave you moved as I was.
The English booking page is easy to find online by searching: ‘Visit to the Cinta Senese pig farm with Salami Tasting – La Botteghina di Scorgiano’.
Lapo’s English is also excellent!
Anna (verified owner) –
We had the best of time in that pig farm. Our guide was very friendly and knew all about the pigs. We learned so much. The kids loved to see all the happy pigs. They got to feed both the pigs and the donkeys. The tour lasted just long enough for the kids to cope.
In the end of the tour we got a huge board of cheese and different salamis, honey and bread. It’s delicious.
Our 9-year old wants to go back already.
Do it if you haven’t already!
Philipp –
It was a great experience to see happy animals living in such a wonderful place. And then tasting them. 🙂 thank you to Claudia and her son who’s a great guide and took a lot of time out of his day to make it a memorable visit. Highly recommended!
Linh –
This was one of the highlights on our 3 week italy trip. The farm is in a great area and easily reachable by car. The host was very friendly and funny as well. The farm is awesome. There a lots of animals and we could play with the donkeys. The host showed us his like to a friend and told us a lot of funny and interesting stories. We learned a lot about the pigs. If every farmer would take care of his piggies like they do here maybe the world would be a better place!
Melanie –
Abbiamo prenotato questo tour principalmente pensando a una gita piacevole da fare con la bimba piccola. In realtà è stato davvero molto interessante per noi grandi che abbiamo avuto modo di imparare tantissime cose sia sugli animali in sé, sia sull’impegno e lo studio che sta dietro all’allevamento sostenibile. I prodotti buonissimi, e la grande ospitalità sono stati la ciliegina sulla torta. Consiglio caldamente questa esperienza.
Kristof –
Claudia and her son Lapo have so much respect for the animals and their way of life. It was a lovely experience!
Claudia –
Io e la mia famiglia abbiamo passato una piacevole mattina molto istruttiva. Animali tenuti benissimo e un amore per il proprio lavoro difficile da trovare. Degustazione ottima.
Christopher –
This was a fun and unique experience. Our host (Claudia’s son) was knowledgable, passionate about his work and very entertaining. I recommend this as a intriguing and different thing to do in Tuscany, particularly if you fancy a break from (another) magical hill town.
Matthew –
This was an amazing experience. You learn from beginning to end about the process. I was amazed at the time and effort that has to be made for their products to be enjoyed. You could tell this was more than work, this is passion and that love for making quality products shows through on their treatment of animals and farm.
Patricia –
I recommend this experience, the son of Claudia was super nice, very knowledgeable, funny. I can’t say enough. I had an experience that I will not get anywhere else. Thank you for the hospitality.
Joanna –
This is a special experience for me. Learning how the pigs are raised is interesting. It is exciting to see the pigs running freely in the fields. A walk in this farm is a pleasant break from our busy urban life. Claudia and her son are very passionate about raising the pig humanly. They served us very fresh and delicious food for snacks. The quality of the meat is far better than those we ate at restaurants.
Darius –
Fantastic Day out to visit the pigs. Learnt a huge amount about their project. It was definitely the best thing we did with our time in Italy. The products of their labour were delicious and we enjoyed what we brought back.
Morag –
I had a fabulous few hours on this organic rare breed pig farm. Claudio’s son is actually the guide, and he is great. I learned loads about this rare breed, almost extinct until recently… And indeed about pigs in general, their habits and behaviours and intelligence. The setting is charming in lovely oak forests, and I was lucky enough to see new born pigs , maybe less than an hour old…. At the end I was served a huge plate of salami and ham, and each was explained to me, about where on the animal the meat came from. They work with local artisanal organic salami producers, whom they know. All in all they produce very happy pork from extremely well kept stock, and I highly recommend going along
Sarah –
The hosts shared their passion of raising healthy happy pigs and their commitment to quality in their meat production. It was educational and personalized. Claudia and her son are very kind and were patient to answer all my questions. The environment is also special as this land has been in the family for hundreds of years. Highly recommend!
Emily –
Lapo and Claudia immediately make you feel at home on their beautiful and productive farm. They have the knowledge that only comes from years of experience and a deep love of the land. My husband, son and I enjoyed feeding and petting the animals and experienced wonderment in seeing the circle of life from newborn piglets to seasoned sows to delicious prosciutto. Grazie!
Jared –
We spent a week in Italy and everyone in our family agreed that this was the best thing we did. Claudia and Lapo were generous with their time and their cured meats and even their wine! We thank them very much.