The Vecchioni family
Deep roots in Maremma
1800
The origins of the Vecchioni family in Maremma
The Vecchioni family, originally from Pisa, moved to Gerfalco, where they soon became one of the most influential in the area. Thus began a strong bond with the land, a relationship of care and passion that would be handed down from generation to generation.
1890-1915
Il Tesorino and Il Cicalino are born, between earth and tradition
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the property spread between Massa Marittima, Montieri and Follonica. Ezio and Ippocrate Vecchioni led the company, giving rise to two businesses that still exist today: Il Tesorino in Follonica and Il Cicalino in Massa Marittima. In the Poderi, immersed in nature, 23 sharecropping families live and work, custodians of ancient knowledge and traditions.
1925
The Cicalino becomes an independent farm
After family disagreements, Ezio and Hippocrates divide the property. Il Cicalino is entrusted to Ippocrate, who turns it into an independent farm. From here on, the Tenuta Il Cicalino’s fate will be marked by the passion and determination of Ippocrate Vecchioni’s family. The division of land is always a pain for those who love it, but thanks to the strength and wisdom of the women of the house, the balance is restored.
1933
Biagio Vecchioni and agricultural innovation in Maremma
Biagio Vecchioni, son of Hippocrates, takes over the Tenuta. A man of volcanic, outgoing, and friendly character, he expands production, introduces new farming techniques, and enriches the Tenuta with a winery, oil mill, and carpentry shop. His mission is clear: to make Maremma prosper and modernize agriculture. The Cicalino becomes a center of grain, oil, wine and livestock production, with an ingenious system of forest management for charcoal production. Biagio’s life is also characterized by public engagement, a natural continuation of his private and entrepreneurial one.
1950
Land reform and the transformation of The Tenuta
Land reform marks a dramatic shift, downsizing ownership. Investments, however, continue: two irrigation reservoirs are built and corn cultivation is experimented with. Herds are reduced and farm management changes, adapting to the new times.
1971
Between medicine and the Maremma, the bond that endures
When Biagio Vecchioni died, the business was carried on with difficulty by his now elderly wife, with the help of a factor. Their son Roberto had a clear and strong vocation: he studied medicine in Pisa, went to the chair at a very young age in Padua, a student of Professor Pier Luigi Cevese, and opened the faculty’s university branch in Verona, becoming one of the great masters of Italian surgery. The bond with his homeland, however, is not broken.
1990
Federico Vecchioni renovates The Tenuta with sustainable vision
Federico Vecchioni, son of Roberto, hears the call of the Cicalino. An agronomy graduate, he returns to the Tenuta he came to know through his grandmother’s stories, determined to revive it. With vision and determination, he initiates a profound renewal: sustainable agriculture, recovery of the building heritage and revitalization of agricultural production. Thanks to his mother Gabria, a lover of history and art, the ancient Poderi begin to come back to life.
1996
A new family for The Cicalino, between love and a common project
Love plays a key role in the estate’s destiny: Federico marries Elisabetta, also from Verona. Together they share a dream that begins to come true.
2000
The Tenuta Il Cicalino farmhouse is born, between nature and hospitality
The Tenuta is transformed into an oasis of authenticity. In addition to the production of oil and wine, Il Cicalino becomes a place of hospitality, where guests can immerse themselves in the unspoiled beauty of the Maremma, including walks in the woods, tastings and moments of relaxation.
2020
The Tenuta Il Cicalino between history, nature and a sustainable future
Today, The Tenuta Il Cicalino is much more than a farm. It is a corner of paradise where history, nature and tradition intertwine. A place that continues to grow, looking to the future without ever forgetting the past. Here, time flows slowly, to the rhythm of the land and the seasons, telling a story that will never cease to excite.
