Explore Fattoria La Maliosa, a leader in sustainable wine tourism in Italy, where natural wines and organic farming define the Tuscan experience.
Tucked away in the unspoiled hills of Maremma, Tuscany, just two hours from Rome, Fattoria La Maliosa is a shining example of sustainable wine tourism in Italy. Surrounded by forests, wildflowers, and a rich biodiversity rarely found in modern agriculture, this organic vineyard and olive farm offers visitors a chance to reconnect with nature while discovering some of Tuscany’s most authentic natural wines. La Maliosa isn’t just a winery—it’s a holistic expression of eco-conscious living, rooted in biodynamic farming practices and a deep respect for the land. For travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path Tuscany experiences, La Maliosa invites you into a storybook setting where tradition, innovation, and sustainability come together in every glass.
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Experiencing La Maliosa and Learning About Sustainable Wine Tourism in Italy
Standing in the vineyard at La Maliosa in Maremma, Tuscany, the wildflowers between the rows of vines reached my shoulders. The beauty of the biodiversity in the vineyard is what captured my attention, making La Maliosa such a magical place.
The biodiversity of La Maliosa. Photo by Allison Levine
Two hours from Rome, Maremma is in the south of Tuscany. It is “the last natural unspoiled heaven,” explains La Maliosa owner Antonella Manuli. “Not just because of the nature and forests, but also because not a single highway runs through it.”
For such a largely untouched area within a very crowded country, Maremma is pristine. There has been no industrial infiltration, and Maremma’s traditional business is olive oil production. However, wine production is also being rediscovered, and La Maliosa is leading the way with its haven of natural beauty and sustainability.
Owner Antonella Manuli of La Maliosa. Photo by Allison Levine
Meet Owner Antonella Manuli
Despite having no farming background, Antonella was drawn to Maremma’s unspoiled landscapes and unique charm and decided to embark on a bold mission in 2009. She aimed to create a sustainable agricultural project, defying convention and inspired by the pristine environment. With the help of the late Lorenzo Corino, a pioneer in sustainable viticulture, Antonella turned a piece of land into a thriving estate, including vineyards, olive groves, and hay production.
Born in northern Italy, Antonella is not from a winemaking or farming family. In 1990, after playing on the Italian national golf team, Antonella worked in Maremma’s hospitality industry. The beauty of the environment struck her. She wondered how no one had yet invested in sustainable farming in such a pretty area. And so, after her second child was born in 2005, and as crazy as it seemed, she decided to create a completely sustainable project.
The biodiversity of La Maliosa. Photo by Allison Levine
In 2009, Antonella purchased 170 hectares (420 acres) of land. The natural landscape was primarily forested, featuring a 1-hectare (2-acre) abandoned vineyard. Antonella wanted to plant a vineyard and make natural wines. Planting a vineyard from scratch was a rare opportunity to do it the way she wanted, with no previous influence. She knew she was doing something new and different, but lacked technical knowledge. She contacted Lorenzo Corino, a researcher and producer from Piedmont (Piemonte in Italian) who was a pioneer in sustainability and viticulture, and invited him to Maremma.
Together, they did experiments and trials to learn what worked best. With Lorenzo Corino’s guidance, they developed the Metodo Corino (Corino Method), a concept about how they would produce natural wines. The Metodo Corino, a registered patent and trademark, was introduced in 2019 and encompasses four pillars: environment, history, health, and beauty. The essence of Metodo Corino is that it is a vegan biodynamic system in which the farm transforms into a complete ecosystem through regenerative organic agriculture. In addition, wine must be made with minimal intervention, with native fermentation, and the process must be free of additives that can modify the wine’s natural evolution.
Farming the Metodo Corino Way
Metodo Corino focuses on the vitality of the soil and the health of the environment, producers, and consumers. At La Maliosa, biodiversity is at the heart of both the land and the winemaking process, profoundly influencing the estate’s beauty and uniqueness. Antonella’s vision goes beyond just growing grapes and olives: her goal is cultivating a living, breathing ecosystem where nature thrives in harmony.
The vineyards are set amidst wild, untouched nature, surrounded by forests, fields, and olive groves. Antonella actively fosters biodiversity through polyculture, encouraging a diverse range of plant life both above and below the soil. Wild herbs and flowers grow alongside the vines, attracting beneficial insects and creating a balanced ecosystem that helps protect the plants naturally.
The biodiversity of La Maliosa. Photo by Allison Levine
This embrace of biodiversity isn’t just about aesthetics; it directly contributes to the vineyard’s health. The complex array of plant and animal life strengthens the vines by boosting soil fertility and fostering natural resistance to pests and diseases.
Antonella’s belief is simple: “The more complexity above the soil, the more complexity below.”
This translates into richer soils teeming with microbial life, which nourishes the vines and gives the wines their distinct character.
In the vineyard of La Maliosa in the winter. Photo by Allison Levine
The beauty of La Maliosa’s landscape is thus intricately tied to its vitality. The vineyards, which are integrated into the landscape, are framed by sweeping views of the Maremma countryside, where rolling hills, forests, and the nearby volcanic cliffs of Pitigliano provide a striking backdrop. Every element of the farm is designed to honor and preserve this landscape—wild animals roam freely, the soil is protected from erosion through mulching, and air circulation between the vines ensures the plants remain healthy without chemical intervention.
In the vineyard of La Maliosa with Antonella Manuli in the winter. Photo by Allison Levine
Antonella has created an environment based on prevention, not on reactive curing. By maintaining and enriching the biodiversity of La Maliosa, Antonella protects the natural environment and ensures that her wines embody the essence of this vibrant, untouched land. The result is a range of natural wines that capture the landscape’s beauty, health, and complexity.
Experiencing La Maliosa
Beyond the vineyards and the wine, La Maliosa is a beacon of hospitality, offering wine tastings, olive oil tours, and accommodations. All the experiences offered bring you, the guest, into contact with the uncontaminated nature. Start with a guided tour through the winery and olive groves, followed by a tasting, or for the more adventurous, go horseback riding, on e-bike tours, or follow one of the trekking trails. To further immerse yourself in the natural landscape, La Maliosa offers picnics in different unique locations on the estate, including the Skydeck, which offers a panoramic view of the Tuscan Maremma hills, the Giglio Island, Monte Amiata, Pitigliano, and Monte Argentario.
Enjoy a tasting of the La Maliosa Wines. Photo by Allison Levine
All these experiences offer the perfect opportunity to sip the natural wines of La Maliosa. The wines, whether the fresh, mineral-driven Saturnalia Bianco made from Procanico and Trebbiano, the earthy, fruit-forward Tarconte Sangiovese, or the Indigenous Ciliegiolo with purple-fruit aromas, drying tannins, and fresh acidity, all embody the essence of place. Crafted with meticulous care from vineyard to cellar, Antonella’s ethos is straightforward: natural wine must be honest, environmentally responsible, and truly express its terroir.
Staying at La Maliosa
If you crave more than a day at La Maliosa, spend the night. Truly embed yourself in nature with an overnight in a StarsBOX.
Sleep under the stars in the middle of the vineyard in a StarsBOX. Photo by Allison Levine
A micro-cabin designed for ecotourism lovers, there are four StarsBOXes spread across the property, each offering panoramic views. Relish a romantic sunset while enjoying a picnic and a bottle of La Maliosa wine. When it is time to go to sleep, open the wooden roof and sleep under the stars in complete comfort.
Sleep under the stars in the middle of the vineyard in a StarsBOX. Photo by Allison Levine
For those who prefer more modern accommodation, La Maliosa offers two luxuriously sustainable options: Saturnalia Village Rooms and The Nest. The Nest is a quiet and elegant apartment on the ground floor of a typical Tuscan farmhouse. It has two comfortable hotel-level suites with five beds, country-chic furnishings, and is surrounded by greenery.
The Nest at La Maliosa is a quiet and elegant apartment on the ground floor of the typical Tuscan farmhouse. Photo by Allison Levine
The Saturnalia Village Rooms are five spacious rooms in the town of Saturnia. They are in a fully restored historic building dating back to the 1600s.
Sleep peacefully in a room at Saturnalia Village Rooms. Photo by Allison Levine
The renovation, which combined rustic charm with country chic, emphasized sustainability while blending historical architecture with modern comforts. Local materials, such as stone, chestnut beams, and bricks, were carefully integrated. All efforts were made to eliminate plastic throughout the property and at the winery.
Taste La Maliosa Wines While Enjoying a Meal
Enjoy a seasonal menu of local food at Saturnalia Wine Bar. Photo by Allison Levine
La Maliosa wines are also available to taste at the Saturnalia Wine Bar, which Antonella also owns. Located in Saturnia, home of the thermal spas, Saturnalia offers a seasonal menu made from local, sustainably grown ingredients to enjoy with the wines of La Maliosa.
Owner Antonella Manuli of La Maliosa. Photo by Allison Levine
When You Visit the Tuscan Maremma
Antonella has not taken an easy path, but after ten years, the results of her care and hard work are tangible. Antonella has built a whole ecosystem, from the vineyards, winery, and wines to the restaurant and various accommodation offerings. La Maliosa is a magical destination in the Tuscan Maremma for wine lovers who want to experience the beauty of nature and biodiversity.
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