Solstice Savory Pies Foodie Spring Retreat with Marnie Coots (Co-ed Retreat)
Sunday, 10th May to Saturday, 16th May 2026
Join Marnie Coots of Solstice Savory Pies for an enchanting foodie retreat at Castello di Potentino this spring!
Spend a week eating your way through Italy alongside fantastic chefs who will be cooking regional dishes from Rome, Sardinia, Tuscany, and more. Enjoy life in a beautifully restored, 1,000-year-old Tuscan castle—lovingly brought back to life by Charlotte Horton and her Bohemian British family. Evenings bring sunset cocktails by the pool, with views of the estate vineyards and the majestic Monte Amiata.
Beyond its rustic charm and elegant atmosphere, this retreat offers a deeply authentic experience of Tuscany’s rich culture and cuisine. Savor gourmet meals prepared by brilliant Italian chefs, sip exceptional estate wines, and spend an afternoon at a celebrated Brunello-region winery. Embrace the tranquility of foraging on the property and take part in the timeless tradition of harvesting grapes and making wine with ancient Etruscan stones.
This retreat is not just about discovery—it’s about relaxation. Immerse yourself in the real Tuscany, far from the crowds, in a serene setting designed to help you unwind and soak in the beauty and simplicity of Tuscan life.
NB: This is a Co-ed retreat. Please see Marnie’s alternative retreats for 2026.
Marnie Coots, a name known to many in the culinary world as the co-creator of the famed Z Pie restaurants and brand established in 1998, has been no stranger to the allure of savory pies. Her journey with Z Pie saw their delightful creations making waves from restaurant franchises to prominent placements in high-end Northern Californian grocery stores and even gaining national attention through Harry and David.
However, Marnie's story took a momentary pause as she decided to step back from the sizzling world of pies to focus on the most important aspect of her life – her son, Zak. She delved into the academic world and took on roles in the wellness industry, specializing in corporate and sports massage. These roles were artfully juggled to revolve around Zak's schedule, making her both a dedicated mother and a professional.
As Zak grew, so did Marnie's affinity for travel. Together, they embarked on numerous voyages, with Italy and France holding special places in their hearts. These journeys were not just about sightseeing; they were culinary and cultural immersions that would later play a significant role in Marnie's next big venture.
The unforeseen events of 2020, marked by the global COVID-19 pandemic, brought many to a standstill. For Marnie, however, it reignited her age-old passion for savory pies. What began as an innocuous social media post mentioning her pie-making endeavors at home quickly snowballed into an avalanche of orders. A staggering demand for 500 pies in just a few days! The culinary phoenix was rising once more.
2023 saw Marnie, at the age of 52, challenge conventional thinking about age and retirement. With Solstice Savory Pies, she crafted a brand that was a tapestry of her travels, experiences, and culinary expertise. With mouth-watering offerings like the Porcini Portobello Truffle Risotto pie, Napa Steak, Provençale Chicken and the Tuscan Italian Sausage pie, each pie seemed to tell a tale of the places she'd visited and the people she'd met.
Solstice Savory Pies, named after the winter solstice – a time symbolizing rebirth after the longest night, stands as a testament to Marnie's spirit. It is a story of resilience, reinvention, and the undying belief that it's never too late to start anew. Marnie Coots embodies the adage, "Age is just a number," proving that passion and determination can craft success stories at any stage.
Six Nights / Seven Days
- Double Occupancy: 2750 Euros per person based on double occupancy (6 rooms available).
- Early bird: Book before October 1 2025 : 2500 euros per person/ based on double occupancy.
- Single Occupancy: 4500 Euros per person.
- Triple Occupancy (3 Twin Beds): 2500 Euros per person based on triple occupancy(two rooms available).
2,500 euros in dollars current exchange rate (04/15/2025) = $2818.16, dollar amount is based on exchange rate upon payment
Pricing (All-Inclusive, Airfare Not Included)
Please note: Shuttle service from and to the Grosseto train station is included if you are not driving yourself. It's the closest train station to the Castle and easy to reach via Rome, Florence or any other city.
Includes:
Six gourmet seasonal family style dinners by local chefs/ Daily Continental breakfasts/ Daily lunches/ Cheese making classes/ Bread and Pasta making/ Special Winery tour with tasting and lunch/ Self guided Santa Fiora Exploration/ Sculpture Garden visit/ Nightly seasonal artisan cocktails by the pool (weather permitting) and Estate wines every night. A bottle of Castello di Potentino wine in your room when you arrive.
Activities: excursions, pool overlooking Castle and property nestled in ancient olive grove, two story library and exploration of the property and accommodations in the beautifully restored 1000 year old castle on Etruscan grounds for you to explore, swim and relax.
Day 1
- 3:30 pm shuttle pickup from Grosseto Train Station
- 4:00-4:30 pm: Check-in
- 5:30 to 7:00 pm: Wine tasting with Castle owner, Charlotte and her own estate wines. A lesson about the area, soil, climate and Etruscan culture and people.
- 7:30 pm: Dinner prepared by guest chef with Castello di Potentino Estate wine at the Castle.
Day 2
- 7 am to 10 am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
- 9:30 am to 10:30 am Optional: Run/hike with Marnie
- Midday: Making cheese with Luisa, followed by Lunch
- 5:30 to 6:30 pm: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset (weather permitting)
- 7:30 pm: Dinner prepared by guest chef with Castello di Potentino Estate wine at the Castle
Day 3 ( A day to unwind and relax).
- 7am to 10am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
- 9 am to 10 am: Morning Yoga- optional (if weather permits outside in courtyard)
- Free day for guests to explore the property, relax, go for hike on the grounds, read, draw. A day of rest and relaxation
- 1pm lunch prepared by Chef Pasquale.
- 5:30 to 6:30 pm: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset (weather permitting)
- 7:30PM: Dinner prepared by guest chef with Castello di Potentino Estate wine at the Castle
Day 4
- 7 am to 9:30 am: Self- serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
- 10:00 am to 5:00 pm: Lunch and wine tasting, exploring Santa Fiora and visiting an outdoor sculpture garden. (shuttle included)
- 5:30 to 6:30 pm: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset (weather permitting)
- 7:30 pm: Dinner prepared by guest chef with Castello di Potentino Estate wine at the Castle
Day 5
- 7 am to 10 am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
- 11 am-4 PM: Bread making class, along with a light lunch.
- 5:30 to 6:30 PM: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset( weather permitting)
- Evening: 7:30 PM: Dinner prepared by guest chef with Castello di Potentino Estate wine at the Castle
Day 6
- 7 am to 10 am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
- 9 am- 10 am: Morning Yoga-optional (if weather permits outside in courtyard)
- 11 am to 4 pm: Guided foraging walk on grounds of castle and pasta making with Luisa and cheese you made earlier in the week! Enjoy a pasta lunch you created!
- 5:30 to 6:30 PM: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset(weather permitting)
- Evening: 7:30 PM: Special Solstice Savory Pie dinner with Castello di Potentino Estate Wine. *** If weather permits in the castle courtyard under candle light.
Day 7
- 7 am to 10 am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
- Check out 11am. Shuttle leaves by 11:15 am to take guests back to Grosseto Train Station. Ciao till our next retreat!
