Organic Rice Farming in Tuscany

The coastal region of Maremma in Tuscany is a land of diversity from the long stretches of wild beaches, wooded hills, marshland and vines that grow the rich wines Tuscany is known for.

However, an organic crop is garnering attention, and it might not be what you expect from Tuscany… it’s rice. Although not a traditional harvest, the practice of rice growing has occurred here in Tuscany in small batches for decades, and when you think of the delicious risotto, arancini, Tuscan rice pudding and our personal fave: risi e bisi, it makes perfect sense to grow the versatile rice plant here.

At the farm holding of Tenuta San Carlo in the heart of Maremma in Southern Tuscany, the landscapes are wild and regenerated with rice paddies as well as agritourism being the main focus. Run by Ariane and her sister Samantha, the 1,200-acre farm fell into their hands in 2003, and they are now the fourth family generation to own the land. Ariane was living in New York as a lobbyist for sustainable and organic farmers when she felt the pull of her family’s farm in Tuscany. 

With her experience in sustainable agriculture, she decided to begin the journey to organic certification for her rice farm. This meant changing the way in which rice was grown and produced including withdrawing the use of chemical herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides and instead using cover crops and crop rotation to improve soil quality. The rice is also stone processed to allow a higher quality and greater flavour. 

The result is rice with a unique taste and also unique names! With the family omnipresent in everything the farm does, the different types of rice are named after members of the family. Olga is the original matriarch and her organic carnaroli rice is perfect for risottos. Great grandfather Achille’s brown carnaroli rice is great in soup, and grandfather Ennio has the honour of being the namesake of the organic ribe rice, artisanally stone-milled, this versatile rice can be used in desserts and salads. 

Testament to Tenuta San Carlo’s success is that neighbours who were previously somewhat stuck in their routine, who couldn’t believe that Ariane’s new organic ways would work are now following her lead. Organic rice from Tuscany? Yes please.