You are exactly where you want to be
We are Gaby, Sam and Stefan. Since 2025 we are building our 5-hectares homestead on a hill in Ripatransone, Le Marche.
When we discovered our little land, we probably already visited over 100 Italian properties in Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio. Then, one day, we decided to fly to the other side of the Sibillini mountain range. We arrived arrived at Ancona airport and instantly fell in love with the region, previously unknown to us.
Our hill in Ripa was abandoned for years and fully overgrown – but all we see is its intense potential. Thus, at the age of 50, we decided to learn Italian and become farmers.
or discover more about Ripatransone, Le Marche or the rest of Italy
Taming land overgrown by wild brambles
We are slowly finding the balance between a cared-for homestead and the wild, natural character of our hill. When we first arrived at Homestead Hill, we faced a sheer wall of wild brambles. While brambles eventually reward us with delicious summer fruit, unmanaged bramble swallow pathways and precious trees. One by one, we slowly are…
Poisoning our bees: a hard lesson in oxalic acid treatments
Beekeeping has been one of the most rewarding parts of setting up our farm. We were taught that an untreated colony for varroa mites is a doomed colony, so we were committed to doing it properly. Or so we thought.
Finding the best gelato near Ripatransone (and why Cupra takes the crown)
Testing local gelaterie has turned into a serious passion project for us – and especially for Sam. La Dolce Vita in Cupra Marittima remains our undisputed go-to spot. But which one is second best?
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