Fifteen years ago Michael and I followed a 3km mule track into the Chianti Mountains through a tangled oak forest and past an alley of four hundred year old mulberry trees to arrive at the door of a thousand year old casa colonica. La Petraia’s expanse lay before us, abandoned as a working farm for over 40 years. Ten hectares of meadows cradled seven of chestnut forest planted some 700 years ago and another fifty of oak teaming with game.  Olive and fruit trees dotted terraces supported by ancient crumbling dry-stone walls. They were overgrown with brush so impenetrable it would take us months to discover them and several years more to restore. An Etruscan archeological site inhabited the property’s highest point. To the east a Roman road wound its way along the mountain ridge and to the south there was a view of Siena unchanged for hundreds of years. Something words cannot describe touched both of us that day. Perhaps it was the same energy the Etruscans felt thousands of years ago when they chose Petraia. We were seduced.

A few months later we took the plunge. We’ve had the enormous privilege of being her caretakers ever since. Petraia in her abandonment had managed to sit out the green revolution. Her soil was rich and full of hope, already as natural and organic as it could ever be. Our idea was to restore her to the productive mixed farm she’d been for longer than anyone could remember. We did just that.

It was far from easy. It was definitely worth it.

Today, after fifteen years, I am proud to say we’ve given her the gift of a major revitalization and an introduction to the twenty-first century. I know, if you follow this blog or have read my books, you know how much she’s given us in return. Petraia has been the project of a lifetime.

Just a little over a year ago Michael and I announced here we had made the very difficult decision to put Petraia on the market. The time had come to begin to think about our future and about hers too. At that time, we expected it would take several years to find the next custodians, our plan was simply to carry on. It would be business as usual at Petraia. But, as fate would have it, things happened much faster than we ever anticipated. Last week, on a crisp clear autumn morning, Michael and I walked once more up to the foot of the olive grove we had planted, the resting place of our dogs Olive and Hockley, then got in the car and drove out Petraia’s gates for the last time.

A few weeks previous we had the chance to celebrate Petraia with the large community of very special friends, neighbors, collaborators and staff who have co-ventured with us these past years. They too have given much of themselves to Petraia.

Michael spoke that day.

“When Susan and I were on our way up the old road to see La Petraia for the first time almost 15 years ago, the agent bringing us stopped half way up. The road was bad. To many it must have seemed impassable. He asked if we would like to turn around. No we said, we’re Canadians. We know about rough roads. Keep going. 

The rest is history.

The story has been told often. But a truth lies behind it. As Canadians we know roads like this because we know wilderness. Canadians are privileged with wilderness. But for Susan and me, as Canadians to be the custodians of a property that was inhabited by the Etruscans 2700 years ago, to inhabit a house that was built beginning 1000 years ago, was another kind of privilege.

Like the Canadians with their wilderness, the inhabitants of Tuscany are gifted with a certain type of history, one that has left its beautiful footprint in the landscape and its memory in the buildings and the essential relationship between the two. Experiencing this all of these years is the greatest memory Susan and I will ever hold…”

Petraia has been passed around for centuries. We’ve dedicated more than a quarter of our lives to her restoration. Now it is someone else’s turn. It is just time for us now. We have a couple of other adventures in mind. But we know we will never find such a magical place to live in, or to work in, again. Ever.

We’d like a chance now to thank all of you for the role you’ve played. You’ve read my blog and my books that were inspired by Petraia. You were our guests, our best friends and our family. You helped us realize our dream. You made our efforts worthwhile. Thank you so much.

 And finally to you Petraia,

We’ve been just a short blip in your impressive history but you have been a lifetime in ours. It has been a huge honor and privilege to have been with you these years. We’re leaving a huge part of our hearts here with you but we’re taking with us an eternity of memories you’ve given us.

Driving out her gates for the last time Michael turned to me and said, It’s just crazy you can buy something like this.

It’s true. We never did own Petraia, we just took care of her for awhile. 

Please stay tuned to my blog for updates at its new home, susanmckennagrant.com. For news about La Petraia visit www.lapetraia.com.  

Click on any image to start the captioned slideshow.

 

 end of an era

 End of an era

petraia front gates now

Thank you Petraia for your incredible bounty, for 15 amazing years and for a lifetime of beautiful memories.  Farewell.

 

 

Posted By: Donald L. Winthrop November 14th, 2015 @ 5:40 pm

My family and I will never forget the evening we spent with Susan, Michael and La Petraia in late September 2013. Honestly the greatest culinary/social/artistic experience of our lives. Simply glorious.
As beautiful as everything was that night the most lasting memory will be Susan and Michael themselves – their hospitality, conviviality and the intensity if their dream – the reality of which is La Petraia.

We will always cherish that evening and our time spent with you, Susan and Michael and for that I say:
THANK YOU!

Posted By: Donna Holton November 14th, 2015 @ 6:16 pm

Dearest Susan and Michael,
Thank you so much for sending along this fond farewell to such an honorable place. I became quite tearful as I to read your well written tribute. We are so very grateful to you both for giving us the privilege to experience La Petraia in the peak of her splendor. Your photographs continue to enhance that experience.
All the best as you press forward in the next chapter!
Fondly Mike and Donna Holton

Posted By: Kathy Schreiber and Keith Raymond November 15th, 2015 @ 12:49 am

What a beautiful farewell message. What the two of you achieved along with your staff and surronding community at La Petria was truly special. Keith and I feel very privleged to have spent a day with you both in September 2014. All the best to you both.

Posted By: Daphne Peacock and family November 15th, 2015 @ 4:07 pm

A fourth time (through tears) viewing your words of farewell and the extraordinary library of Petraia photos. You and your dedicated team nurtured that symbiotic relationship you speak of so beautifully. We lucky visitors could see and feel the past and at the same time enjoy those lightest of touches that added a vitality and relevance to the continuing permanence of the place.
To you both: thank you for inviting us into your extraordinary dream. We will never forget the privilege of being able to share the fruits of your efforts. Cheers and good luck!!!

Posted By: Jane Ebbern November 15th, 2015 @ 6:16 pm

Dear Susan,
I feel so blessed to have had a chance to visit La Petraia for my 60th birthday celebration in May of 2015. You and your staff put on an amazing wine tasting lunch for my intrepid group of 12 friends who (foolishly) rode their vespas there. We had an absolutely magical time and truly this lunch was the highlight of our Tuscan tour. And i continue to conjure up images of La Petraia every time I use one of your gorgeous cookbooks. Wishing you and Michael every success in your next phase of life.
Jane Ebbern
Calgary

Posted By: kj November 15th, 2015 @ 11:17 pm

we all know when the time is right. acting on it takes courage, belief in the future and a lot of kleenex. even with this mammoth change, once you find the right ‘place’, it will be forward again. trust me, even we’re only seven weeks ahead. xxxj&r&m

Posted By: Mike Hammond November 16th, 2015 @ 2:08 pm

Congrats to you both and all the very best. I am excited to hear about your next adventure

Posted By: Jonna November 17th, 2015 @ 6:50 pm

Mi dispiace… Non dimenticherò mai la vostra ospitalità e l’esperienza dei corsi di cucina fatti a La Petraia. A questo punto mi sento molto privilegiata ad aver avuto la possibilità di sperimentare qualcosa di così straordinario. Vi auguro ogni bene.

Posted By: Ian Yolles November 17th, 2015 @ 11:59 pm

Susan and Michael, Your farewell post embodies the essence of the undertaking that was, is and always will be La Petraia and the spirit you brought to your time there. Irene and I feel so lucky to have visited with you, experienced your home firsthand and, in a small way, shared your 15 year journey with you. We don’t underestimate the emotion that must have pulsed through you as you drove out the gates for the last time and yet we know that ample new adventures await you. All the best. I & I

Posted By: Tom and Melinda December 21st, 2019 @ 3:05 pm

Hi Susan and Michael

Even if it’s been a long time since we’ve been in touch, we think of you often and the nice times we’ve shared with you.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas where ever you may be and a peaceful and Happy New Year.
May our paths cross again in 2020!

Melinda and Tom

Posted By: lapetraia January 11th, 2020 @ 12:04 pm

Hi Tom and Melinda!

So nice to hear from you and all the very best for 2020. It would be wonderful to catch up with you this year.

Susan and Michael

Posted By: Mario April 12th, 2021 @ 1:24 pm

Hi Susan and Michael,

In September 2011 I was on your farm for an Outstanding in the Field event. Nice memories. Now I am tidying up my travel archive and am trying to find out where your farm was. Would be be able to share with me its exact location, like by a Google Maps link? Thank you very much in advance. Kind regards, Mario

Posted By: lapetraia December 9th, 2021 @ 10:59 am

Hi Mario, we were just outside of Radda in Chianti……

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