Casale Sterpeti - Owner's Story

Somewhere in the rolling hills of Maremma, where olive groves stretch towards the Mediterranean and medieval villages perch on ancient hilltops, there is a place where time slows. Casale Sterpeti, a secluded boutique retreat, stands as a testament to vision, perseverance, and an unwavering love for Tuscany.

For Simone and Irene, the journey to creating Casale Sterpeti began long before they found the ruin that would become their home and livelihood. Having worked in tourism for years in their nearby seaside hometown, the couple dreamed of a space that would encapsulate everything they adored about their region—the wild beauty of the countryside, the crystalline coastline, the rich culinary heritage, and the warmth of its people. “From the beginning, we thought that Casale Sterpeti was close to everything,” Simone reflects. “It felt like a perfect place to bring together all the best experiences of Tuscany.”

When they discovered the abandoned farmhouse in 2015, it had been untouched for decades. Wild deer and boars sought shelter in its crumbling walls, and nature had claimed every inch, from ground to roof. It would take years of painstaking work to restore the casale, balancing its rustic past with a refined, contemporary aesthetic. But Simone and Irene were undeterred. “Casale Sterpeti was a ruin, and we decided to proceed step by step, improving as we went along,” he says. “There were mistakes, of course, but that’s part of the learning process.”

The result is a place that feels deeply personal. Every element of Casale Sterpeti is infused with the couple’s philosophy of understated luxury: a quiet, thoughtful approach to hospitality where comfort is paramount, but authenticity reigns. The interiors are a delicate dance between tradition and modernity—soft, neutral tones that complement rather than compete with the dramatic landscapes outside, bespoke furnishings that echo the region’s craftsmanship, and windows that frame views so striking they could be paintings.

Yet, what truly sets Casale Sterpeti apart isn’t its design or even its location—it’s the feeling that permeates the air, a kind of effortless welcome that can’t be manufactured.

“We feel grateful to share the beauty of our region with people from all over the world,” says Simone.

This ethos extends to every guest interaction, from a warm morning espresso to a quiet moment in the Mediterranean garden at sunset, glass of local wine in hand. It’s no surprise, then, that their greatest reward isn’t an industry accolade, but the happiness of their guests.

Even as Casale Sterpeti continues to evolve—with plans for an expanded garden and, in time, a pool to offer guests an even deeper sense of retreat—the heart of the place remains unchanged. “We are in connection with our birthplace,” Simone explains.

“We know this land, and we love sharing it. Whether our guests come for the landscapes, the history, or simply to relax in silence, we want them to leave with memories that feel like home.”

And that, perhaps, is the secret to their success: no grand gestures, no over-the-top embellishments—just a deep, abiding love for a place and the joy of sharing it, one guest at a time.