What has 50 cows, acres of Vernaccia grapes on the vine, 2,000 olive trees, breathtaking views, a welcoming restaurant and 11 rooms and apartments for guests?

Welcome to Fattoria Poggio Alloro, “Bay Leaf Hill Farm,” an Agriturismo property we visited this week. The Fioroni family has been working the farm since 1955 and purchased the land in 1972. The working farm overlooks the walled Tuscan city of San Gimignano and became part of a growing trend in Italy when in 1991 the family added a few guest bedrooms, eventually transitioning into a hospitality destination. We met manager and head chef Sarah Fioroni back in Virginia when she visited our area last March. Besides her involvement in the family’s growing business, Sarah is a busy lady with a bestselling cookbook and last October Sarah was a guest chef at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Back in Tuscany, the Fattoria Poggio Alloro complex includes 10 double rooms for guests plus one apartment with adjoining bedrooms. Rooms are simple, no television but free WIFI, and the terraces have commanding views of the Tuscan countryside. Americans comprise 40% of the visitors. The Fioroni family produce their own wines, olive oils, honey and other products for sale and use on the property. The organic farm produces 90% of the food consumed on the property. Guests are welcome to tour the farm, sample wines and even take part in a cooking lesson or two.

We are adding Fattoria Poggio Alloro to our list of preferred Italian Agriturismo properties.