cultura viva FARM & DESIGN GUESTHOUSE

A passion for art, nature, sustainable living and delicious food inspired the creation of cultura viva, a farm and design guesthouse in Umbria, Italy.

Reviving, promoting and sharing the values of rural culture, a healthy lifestyle and an appreciation for beauty guided every step of its conception.

Enjoy cultura viva’s line of true and authentic products from nature: the premium EVOO Le Clarisse and cultura viva kombucha.

Experience and get inspired as you stay in the cultura viva design guesthouse, the beautifully renovated portion of an ex-monastery complex where art and design make you feel at home

cultura viva was born from our desire to breathe life back into the stones and the land”
Laurence Deprez-Zenezini & Stefano Zenezini, Co-Founders

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cultura viva FARM

On our six-acre farm, located on the hills of the village of Collazzone, we produce small batches of the highest quality and purity of organic extra virgin olive oil, premium EVOO Le Clarisse, and of cultura viva kombucha — a naturally fermented beverage that contains the goodness of live cultures and polyphenol-rich plants.


Our biodiverse orchard provides seasonal fruits and aromatic herbs that we use to flavor our kombucha and that we transform into flavorful jams and herbal teas.


We farm organically and regeneratively, using resources from the land to sustainably and continuously improve soil health. All activities on the farm, from composting, mulching, seeding, chopping and dropping soil enriching plants, collecting and conserving rain water, contribute to reduce carbon emissions and create a richer and healthier land, resulting in tastier and more nutritious crops.

cultura viva DESIGN GUESTHOUSE

The design guest house is inserted in its own little stone village, the “borgo”, once part of the Monastery San Lorenzo, with a consecrated church dating back to 10th century A.D. The borgo has an agricultural vocation and includes working quarters: the Cellar for Le Clarisse EVOO, the Fermentation Room for cultura viva kombucha, the Permaculture Garden, “Il Forno” – a traditional wood oven and grill area and the founders’ house. The lush garden with pool is lined with fragrant rosemary, jasmine, roses and lavender that allow plenty of space and quiet to reflect and rejuvenate.

The Land


On our six-acre farm, located on the hills of the village of Collazzone, we produce small batches of the highest quality and purity of organic extra virgin olive oil and of raw kombucha— a fermented beverage that contains the goodness of live cultures and polyphenol-rich plants. Our biodiverse orchard provides seasonal fruits and aromatic herbs that we use to flavor our kombucha and that we transform into flavorful jams and herbal teas. We farm organically and regeneratively, using resources from the land to sustainably and continuously improve soil health.
Cultura Viva - Farm
Cultura Viva - Farm
Cultura Viva - Farm

The Stones


Our story began in 2005 in Umbria, the green heart of Italy. With a team of local artisans, we started to lovingly renovate a portion of an old monastery complex built entirely in stone and neighboring a church dating back to 10th century A.D. The dwellings and surrounding garden had been neglected over time and we felt called to restore this piece of history, bathed in spirituality.

Design Concept

We set out to conduct the restoration with patience in order to let the spaces reveal themeseves. We decided to emphasize the various construction materials used over the centuries, as best seen in the lounge, a space for intimate discussion or social mixing. We made sure to re-use when possible, to work with local material and exclusively with local artisans.

All three guest rooms feature amazing views over an unspoiled wooded valley
and an en-suite bathroom outfitted in local terracotta.
Each space has a different personality with a curated selection of art, antique and vintage furniture and a touch of Fornasetti, an Italian designer renowned in the ’50’s.

The permaculture garden was designed to provide a bounty of fruits, herbs and vegetables as well as secluded spaces for dining and relaxation with stunning views on surrounding hills and valleys. The stone and mosaic pool allows for refreshing moments.

Hospitality Concept

The cultura viva design guesthouse welcomes visitors for weekend stays and offers the experience and atmosphere of a private home with the convenience of a bed and breakfast and the luxury of a boutique design hotel.

Cultura viva will organize thematically curated weekends throughout the year around food, foraging, fermentation, yoga, wellness, personal development, art and local culture. You are invited to check the Events calendar when booking your stay.

Experience Cultura Viva

Collazzone & Umbria

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