Travel

June 19, 2025 – Published in Design & Decor Spring-Summer 2022 issue

From Mellieħa to Maremma

Words Stuart French

Have you ever wanted to move to Italy to enjoy living La Dolce Vita, Marthese and Stuart moved from Mellieħa to Maremma Tuscany two years ago to renovate a Tuscan farmhouse in the locality of Mandorlaie, near Scansano. 

They currently manage Tenuta Le Mandorlaie, their organic farm and agriturismo which is situated in 58 hectares of organic farmland and forest which containing 3.5 hectares of Sangiovese grape vines and 1100 olive trees. They have an active program ongoing to plant more trees, including olive, fruit, nut and endemic species every year and currently produce their own Extra Virgin Olive Oil and IGT wine.

On moving and farming organically to create olive oil and wine, Marthese told me “We always wanted to have more space and the ability to become more self reliant, I love to cook and bake and right now we organically grow many seasonal vegetables and I create many jams and preserves as well as creating our own oil and IGT wines”.

About Maremma, Tuscany

Maremma is known as the unspoilt Tuscany and is known for its open plains and hilltop villages surround by vineyards and olives groves. Situated in the south of Tuscany, approximately two hours from Rome and two hours from Pisa, the property lies at an altitude of 350m above sea level and it stills feel the sea and land breezes from the coast while being slightly cooler in summer. With undeveloped beaches, historic seaside towns and many historic attractions a short drive away it feels like there is always something to do or see in Maremma. The area is still very actively used for farming and the land is used to grow rice, wheat and grains as well as having olive groves and vineyards.

Home Style

A home is created to be enjoyed, and it should reflect how the owners live their lives, we do after all spend much of our time at home or in our gardens. For this reason the farmhouse was decorated in a way which remained relaxed and casual. Marthese likes to keep the spaces bright and white, supplying as much natural light as possible with large windows and white paint surfaces with soft furnishing then adding colour and interest. Furniture was found locally, most repurposed which needed renovation prior to installation. For the gardens surrounding the house this is an on going project with all new seedlings and plants and flowers are grown on the farm, along with organic vegetables that supply the household and agriturismo with seasonal produce throughout the year.

On redesigning a farmhouse in Tuscany, Marthese had some advice “The planning regulations in Tuscany, particularly in Maremma are very strict and enforced to stop new building and to control changes to existing buildings, for this reason it is very important to get professional help when thinking about changes to your home, all new additions need to be fully seismic, meaning lots of reinforcing structure”.

Home renovations

During the farmhouse and adjoining cottage renovation several additions were made, these included the addition of a 8kw glass front insert wood burner in the lounge and dining room to create a centre of the house feel while also being important to enjoy those cooler winter evenings ad aid the heating of the house. The house has been fitted with a water underfloor heating powered by an energy efficient inverter heatpump system and all rooms, floors and ceilings have been insulated keeping heat loss and energy use to a minimum. To complement the fireplace the addition of full length shelving and some storage added. The room was dressed with simple sheer curtains with white pelmets and contains family furniture created in Valletta. The lounge room leads out to the covered terrace where you can relax or dine overlooking the main lawn and swimming pool with views to Porto Santo Stefano and the Isola del Giglio.

On making their Tuscany home energy efficient Stuart added “It has always been important for us environmentally to use solar for heating and electricity creation, currently we create all our hot water via solar panels and will be installing a 5kwh photovoltaic system this year, with energy storage, to cover all our electricity needs, we would like to get to a point where we create all our own needs from renewable sources”

Bedrooms

Main bedroom, 1940’s vintage furniture that created locally in Grosseto has been added to this room, the furniture needed to be refurbished so it was fixed, filled and painted, the addition of a shower cubicle in the room gave us an ensuite, there is direct access to an outdoor terrace. The bedroom is light and fresh, letting in the incredible Tuscan light from its windows and terrace door, giving you no way to stay in bed unless you pull the curtains closed.

The second bedroom had a second window installed to give this corner room extra light and views over the olive groves and vines. The furnishings, bed side table and wardrobe were all locally made, probably around 70 years ago and only some cleaning and preservation was required to add them to the room. The soft furnishings were created by Marthese with all fabrics locally sourced, the room has an ensuite bathroom and its own access to the roof terrace with views over vineyards and olive groves all the way to the sea.

Lavender cottage

As an active Tuscan farm creating olive oil and wine, regulations allow the operation of an Agriturismo. For this a small cottage was converted. It is situated in its own gardens, close to the main house. Lavender cottage is fully self contained, has its own full kitchen, bedroom with ensuite bathroom and lounge. It has its own terrace with bbq and lawn pergola with outdoor dining space. With is own parking, it is truly an independent space, perfect for relaxing and enjoying incredible sunsets in the peace and calm of Maremma. While staying at Lavender cottage, on those hot summer days you can also enjoy the pool which is situated on the lawn of the main farmhouse.

Cinnamon and Apple Cake

There are not many better ways to enjoy time than spending it baking, using your passion to create amazing delights whilst knowing that you have control over the recipe. For example I frequently reduce the amount of sugar in recipes as I feel that I can, with the end result being better for us and with no noticeable effect on the taste.

All of the recipes that I create and work from are recipes that I know I can accomplish with the time, equipment and space I have available to me. Eating is a very social thing, we all eat and most of us relish new flavours and food experiences so I try to cook and bake dishes that my family and friends enjoy. Luckily, with so many options they will always have something they will devour.

I started cooking and baking after spending many years working alongside chefs in local restaurants and have now been creating, baking and cooking at home for over 30 years. I enjoy creating tasty homely treats that we can eat with friends, or even alone at that time of the day when a treat is most welcome. 

I hope you will get inspired to get baking and creating and that you enjoy the following treat, look out for more delicious recipes in coming issues.

If you are looking for a tasty easy cake to bake, then this will not disappoint. This cake is filled with delicious apples making it super moist and has the added temptation of a crunchy cinnamon topping, it is perfect served as a dessert or a tasty treat with your tea or coffee. 

Cake batteriIngredients

• 130grams sugar

• 200grams plain flour

• ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 2 apples, peeled, cored and chopped

• 2 eggs

• 3 tablespoons yoghurt

• 100ml vegetable oil

Cinnamon topping ingredients

• 50grams sugar

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 60grams butter

Now lets cook

1. Preheat your oven to 185°C.

2. Line a 9 inch round cake tin with baking paper.

3. First let’s make the cinnamon topping: Melt the butter, add sugar, cinnamon and mix together

4. Now let’s make the cake mix: In a bowl add the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, sugar and apples and mix lightly; In another bowl, mix lightly the eggs, oil and yoghurt, mix just enough to break the eggs.

5. Now let’s add together the dry flour mix with the wet mix, mix with a wooden spoon until combined, but do not overmix.

6. Pour the mixed cake batter into the prepared baking tin, then sprinkle the cinnamon mix over the cake batter.

7. Bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.

8. Transfer the cooked cake to a wire rack to cool. 

If you wish to learn more about Marthese and Stuart’s farm in Tuscany, you can find more details here:

Tenuta Le Mandorlaie – Agriturismo Scansano Tuscany

tenutalemandorlaie.it

facebook.com/tenutalemandorlaie

instagram.com/tenutalemandorlaie