Tenuta d'Arbia
A Heritage in Val d’Arbia
Tenuta d’Arbia follows the high line of a ridge that looks across the gray clay and open grain fields. Historically known as Castellina, the estate was built as a fortified outpost to monitor the valley below. It is a place of stone and gray clay, where the views over the fields haven’t changed much since the 14th century. The original layout and the old paths are still here, reflecting a time when the property was a defensive site rather than a retreat.
Modern Luxury in a Historic Outpost
The property has been restored as a sophisticated retreat that balances its heavy stone history with modern luxury. We have kept the original character of the buildings while introducing a clean, contemporary aesthetic and the comforts of a high-end estate. Surrounded by our own olive trees, cypress and lavender fields, the site offers a private, quiet environment where the textures of the past meet the precision of a modern restoration.
Our History
Like many of the farmsteads in our area, the Castellina farm already existed in the early Middle Ages and, from at least the 15th century, it became part of the property of the Sienese hospital organization Santa Maria della Scala.
The Hospital of Siena, starting in 1314, had founded its own Grancia (farm) in Cuna, which constituted a sort of mother branch for its many possessions in Val d’Arbia. Periodic visits for inspections were made to Castellina, providing us with much news about the farm from 1400 onwards.
The toponym “Castellina” refers to a fortified place; it is therefore very probable that this place was originally surrounded by walls and served as a defensive site. A first register of the locality sets it in the Estimo di Lucignano d’Arbia in 1316. From then on, there is no news until the following century when it reappears in the registers of the Grancia di Cuna in the early 1400s. Registers from the 1500s show that the farm was run by the Masotti Brothers in 1533, who kept the following animals on behalf of the hospital:
- 1 bu el bellino rosso (1 ox called the bellino) of 15 years of age
- 1 bu el bellino go (1 ox called the bellino go) 15 years old
- 1 bu el toro (1 ox called the bull) of 10 years old
- 1 bu el tedesco (1 ox called the German) of 12 years old
- 1 bu el porino (1 ox called the piglet) 14 years old
- 1 bu rosso el marsolino (1 red ox called the marzolino) 5 years old
- 1 heifer el bufalino (1 heifer called the buffalo) 2 years old
- 1 giovenchetto el pugliese (1 heifer called the pugliese) 2 years old
- 1 m sopranno el perugino (1 heifer called the perugino)
- 22 ewes with mutton with 13 fruit lambs and 15 masti (male) lambs
- 1 heifer el brunello (1 heifer called the brunello) 5 years old
- 1 heifer el saragiuolo (1 heifer called the saragiolo) over a year
With the termination of the hospital organization in 1775, all of its farms passed into private hands.
Reimagining Our Heritage
An exquisitely restored farm where Tuscan heritage
meets refined modern luxury.
Before
After
Personalized Service
Tenuta d’Arbia will be your home for the duration of your stay. We take care of everything. It is important to us to guarantee professional and discreet service. We are available when needed and invisible when not needed. Your privacy is our priority.
Our Philosophy
We value the silence of the Crete Senesi. Tenuta d’Arbia is a 14th-century site restored with modern precision. You define the rhythm of your day; we provide the environment and the discreet expertise required to make it possible. The estate is built for you, and for your privacy.
Fields of Fragrance & Blooming Landscapes
Lavanda d’Arbia
Lavender grows across the estate and defines the scent of these hills in the summer. We harvest the flowers to make our own range of soaps, shampoos, creams and home fragrances. You will find them in every room. It is a simple way to bring the smell of the valley inside. We make them from the land you see outside your window.
Organic Cultivation
We farm our land using organic and sustainable practices. The estate produces grain and lavender. We prioritize the health of the soil to ensure the quality of the ingredients used in our kitchen and the materials used throughout the house. This is a productive landscape managed with a focus on long-term sustainability.
The Estate Grounds
The pathways and gardens are planted with local wildflowers and aromatic herbs. We maintain the landscape to reflect the nature that surrounds the property while providing a refined setting for the hotel. The scent of rosemary and thyme is a constant presence across the estate.
Biological Mosquito Control
We prioritize your comfort by managing the mosquito population through biological controls. We use eco-friendly treatments that target larvae at the source without the use of harsh chemicals or synthetic pesticides. This ensures the gardens and terraces remain comfortable during the evening hours without compromising the local ecosystem.
A Strategic Base In Tuscany
Tenuta d’Arbia is a central hub for the region with Siena, Montalcino, and the local thermal areas all within a 30-minute drive. Other major destinations like Pienza, Volterra, Arezzo, Florence, and the Tuscan coast are reachable in under 90 minutes. This location allows you to explore the wider landscape by day and return to a private, quiet estate each evening away from the high-traffic tourist centers.
