In the middles ages Chiarentana was a small castle where pilgrims would stop on their way to Rome. It lies within the natural park of the Val d’Orcia, a beautiful and miraculously intact valley in Southern Tuscany, lately declared a UNESCO heritage site for its natural and cultural interest.

Up to 30 years ago Chiarentana was part of the La Foce property, bought in the 20s by Antonio and Iris Origo, who together dedicated their lives to developing the estate and the land, and to improving the conditions of the tenant farmer families who lived there. Iris, a distinguished Anglo-American writer, described these agricultural and social changes, as well as the passing of the front during the war, in some of her books. After their death, La Foce was divided between their two daughters, giving rise to a new estate, Chiarentana, belonging to Donata Origo.

Extravirgin olive oil : in recent years the greatest attention has been provided to the production of pure varietal olive oil.

Hospitality: similar care has been given to the renovation of the houses (Sassaia and Gonzola) and the apartments in Chiarentana once lived in by tenant farmers. They are rented as holiday houses on a weekly basis, with a restaurant in the main house.