The Fattoria Cerreto Libri specializes in wine (red, white, vin santo, grappa), extra virgin olive oil (from their 3000 olive trees) and honey, and since 1997 has been using organic and bio-dynamic (certified) methods. The farm has been founded since around the 18th century, and you can really get a sense of the past with the old villas, pretty garden terraces, antiques, furniture, the antique piano, the carriage buggy, old farm tools, and other little unique trinkets from the past.

If you are interested in contributing to the organic food industry, learning ecological friendly methods, experiencing the countryside, meeting new people, & learning about a new country & culture, you may enjoy the the program World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farming (WWOOF). Check it out at: http://www.wwoof.org . A great program, a memorable cultural experience and helping with the organic movement. A really good exchange and you can do it anywhere in the world! what better way to see a new country than to work on a farm???

Sometimes we eat and drink without even thinking about how much work, effort and love must go into it by people working with their own hands, and all the energy that is put into it by the sun, water and all the other natural and ecological elements that are connected to it. I think if one experiences even a little bit of farm work, one would appreciate and be grateful for food just a little bit more than before.

For those interested in wine, staying in an 18th century tuscan villa for a few days, making their own wine during the harvest or just to enjoy the countryside and nature, I recommend you to contact these kind-hearted and good humored people. Check out their website at: http://www.cerretolibri.it/it/hp.html

La Fattoria Cerreto Libri truly is a wonderful, rejuvenating and tranquil getaway. The farmwork and my time here was the highlight of my trip. This is how you see the real Italian culture. Instead of crammed streets, busloads of tourists, long line ups and tour groups, you spend time in the country with the locals, breathing in fresh air, eatting traditional meals, and if you 'WWOOF', learning a lot too!

**A Valentina, Andrea, Sandra, Faustino, Filippo, Elisabetta, Mario, Rosina, Gabriella, Massimo (e Felice, Orso, e Giglio anche!): GRAZIE MILLE ancora per la vostra gentilezza e buon umore. Al tuo posto, mi sono trovata benvenuta, come a casa mia. Ho imparato e mi sono goduta molto. Era buona per me di vedere come funziona una fattoria biologica e bio-dinamica.

Con questo modo di vivere, nella campagna, con la natura, i buon piatti ed il vino, con amici, mi fa ricordare che sono le cose la piu importante della vita. Grazie per dividere la tua dolce vita a Pontassieve. Veramente, "ho lasciato il mio cuore a Pontassieve ....". Siete sempre benvenuti in Canada. Tanti baci e abbracci! **

**** To Takao, Marco, Melissa, Jeremy, Sophie, Ben and Sebastian, I hope the rest of your travelling continues to be exciting and wonderful. It was great to work and spend time with you all. We had some good, silly times. Keep WWOOFing and travelling, and who knows? maybe our paths will cross again - on some other farm, in some far away land? hugs and Italian kisses. ****