The countryside surrounding our cooking school in Tuscany is dotted with organic farms - something you won't find in the more touristy parts of Tuscany - and our cooking course participants have always greatly enjoyed visiting them. Among the favorites are the extra virgin olive oil producers: La Casa di Bracciano, Felsina and San Felice. (They produce also great wine that you can sample). Chianti Cashmere is the only farm in Tuscany that raises cashmere goats. Their fleece makes the softest yarn and from the goats' milk they make delicate face and body care products.

The organic farm Podere Santa Margherita produces wonderful goat cheese, both fresh and aged, covered with sesame seeds, ashes, walnut leaves, mirth and even fennel. Mario Perugini, our neighbor, is a quintessential "Toscanaccio". He will show you his vivacious organic garden, as well as the porcini mushrooms and the truffles he has gathered. Franco and Gianna have a lovely sheep farm worth visiting. And of course there is OUR organic herb garden and orchard.

Chianti Kitchen, The Tuscan School of Cooking of Chef Seamus de Pentheny O'Kelly - Tuscany, Italy - info@chiantikitchen.com