According to old municipal and regional maps, Frascanera was the name used in times past to indicate that particular south-facing ridge from Bebbio looks to the peaks of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines silhouetted on the horizon. The term frasca comes from Latin and originally identified a small branch or a bush. In later times, frasca denotes a green branch that was hung outside taverns to indicate the sale of wine and local products, from which the term fraschetta probably derives. The black colour probably refers to the density and depth of colour of some of the undergrowth growing between the trees.
In the early 2000s, Fernanda and Giorgio bought the old farmhouse abandoned farmhouse dating from the late 19th - early 20th century and the surrounding areas of oak, chestnut and ash forests.
After a few months they realise the extraordinary beauty and the peculiarities of the place and began a careful and sophisticated renovation that focuses on preserving and enhancing the historical and architectural qualities of the farmhouse with the addition, however, of a contemporary approach.
Fernanda's creative mind and Giorgio's experience came together perfectly in this integrated project, and shortly afterwards Tenuta Frascanera took on the substantial form that it still retains today.
And then yes... besides the ideas a lot, a lot, a lot of work. Manual work, the work on the stones, among the stones and in the woods. That work that makes you build walls, recover furniture, that leads you to free old plants from brambles, to prune and renew old fruit trees, to plant the first aromatic plants and garden flowers. You fall asleep early in the evening with a heavy back and burning hands, but it all makes sense. Many friends and relatives, whom we will not mention here but whom we thank profoundly, also participate passionately in this effort.
Between 2007 and 2008, Fernanda and Giorgio decided to focus on tourist hospitality by opening a small B&B. Many doubted that it would work, but a few months later the first foreign tourists began to arrive. It is the first B&B opened in Monte Valestra.
In the meantime, Marco, too, began to collaborate within the estate, mainly taking care of the garden and welcoming tourists.
From then to now Tenuta Frascanera hosted tourists from all over the world (yes, even from the most distant places...) who have chosen us for holidays, Yoga or Taiji retreats or to participate in events.
L’Organic farm Tenuta Frascanera was established in 2023 and agricultural activity takes place exclusively in the areas surrounding the farmhouse. The idea was born to create an olive grove, a rose garden and to recover ancient varieties of small fruits and berries. This is complemented by the beekeeping activity that has already been active for years. We try to have as little impact as possible on the natural environment by carrying out agriculture organic, biodiverse and NON-intensive. Today, all harvested plant material is produced, processed and packaged directly by us.
Our Mission
We wish to continue to welcome all tourists who visit us by offering them exclusive services of real quality that are the basis of a experiential tourism, slow, conscious and to promote and sell the products that are the result of our daily efforts as a farm.
our products are based on a careful search for quality and are supported byorganic farming andscientific aromatherapy.
Our plan is that this page will continue to be written and enriched by new experiences without forgetting, however, that those who write often retain and carry intimately the wishes of those who have gone before them.
About Us
Marco
Founder and creator of the Tenuta Frascanera bio farm. An indefatigable traveller and passionate reader, after having held various management positions in structured multinational companies for several years, he decided to devote himself full-time to Tenuta Frascanera, putting his passion for flowers, olive trees and indigenous wild varieties into practice.
Graduated with honours in Anthropologies and History of the Contemporary World Under Matteo's guidance at Kalak and working in management at the same time, he became interested in organic and sustainable agriculture by studying and attending courses and seminars of expert speakers both in Italy and abroad.
He practises and teaches insegna Taiji Chuan Chen style and Kundalini Yoga. He started his practice of Kung Fu traditional following the teachings of Master Shin Dae Woung in the early 2000s, devoting time to teaching as well.
In 2021 he completed a three-year teacher training course of Qi Gong at Tao Yin Italy. Since 2019 he has been studying Taiji Chen style with Marcello Sidoti of Wang Xian Italy and in 2025 he completed the teacher training course qualifying her to teach. Following an international volunteering experience and a long trip to India, he also became passionate about the practice of yoga.
In 2019, he became a Hatha Yoga teacher and then gradually moved towards Raja Yoga and Kundalini Yoga, graduating in 2022 under the guidance of Master Sadhana Singh and obtaining the spiritual name of Ved Rajdeep Singh.
He counts several international and long-term travel experiences: northern Finland, Venezuela - where he works with an international project for street children -, Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico and Nicaragua.
In 2008 he travelled to Mongolia in the company of journalist and friend Bruno Krizman. Between 2011 and 2012 he travelled to India, discovering this land and its wonderful culture. On subsequent shorter trips he visits Cambodia , Vietnam, Laos and Burma.
Laura
Creator and founder of the project ORA – Osserva Respira Assapora.
After graduating in Biology and PhD in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” she attended an advanced course on food safety and quality and then a Master in Human Nutrition, both at the University of Rome “La Sapienza” and an advanced training course on eating disorders and conscious eating.
As a mindfulness facilitator she regularly conducts courses based on mindful-eating (MB-EAT).
She regularly teaches Kundalini Yoga with weekly classes aimed mainly at women. She also specialises in Yoga in Pregnancy and Yoga Fisios Method.
Passionate about scientific aromatherapy, she attended several Jade Shutes courses at the School for Aromatic Studies internationally recognised by NAHA.
In 2025, she became the only Italian instructor for their Scientific aromatherapy.
Fernanda and Giorgio
They constantly collaborate on all of Tenuta Frascanera's activities and are a fundamental resource and a source continuous inspiration.