Solstice Savory Pies Foodie Retreat with Marnie Coots (October 2024)
From 7th October to 12th October
Join Marnie from Solstice Savory Pies for an enchanting foodie retreat at Castello di Potentino, a 1000-year-old Tuscan castle beautifully restored by Charlotte Horton and her Bohemian British family. Beyond its rustic charm and sophisticated elegance, this retreat offers an authentic experience of Tuscany's rich culture and cuisine. Relish gourmet meals prepared by local chefs, enjoy the finest estate wines, and enjoy an afternoon at a celebrated Brunello region winery. Embrace the tranquility of foraging on the property and the tradition of harvesting grapes to make wine with ancient Etruscan stones. This retreat is not just about discovery, but also relaxation—immerse yourself in the real Tuscany, away from the crowds, in a serene environment that encourages you to unwind and soak in the beauty and simplicity of Tuscan life.
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.
October 7th-12th 2024
5 Nights/ 6 Days
6 Double rooms (1-2 guests) room & board: $3200
2 Triple rooms (up to 3 guests) room & board: (2 guests)- $3200- (3 guests)-$3900
*** Prices will raise as of May 1st, $200 per room, so be sure to book before then!
Includes:
Five gourmet dinners by local chefs/ Five Continental breakfasts/ Three lunches/ Artisan Cocktails and Wine every night. A bottle of Castello di Potentino wine and a special gift bag in your room.
Activities, excursions, pool, exploration of the property and accommodations in the beautifully restored 1000 year old castle on Etruscan grounds for you to explore, swim and relax.
Monday, October 7th
- 4:00 PM: Check-in
- 5:30 to 7:00 PM: Wine tasting with Charlotte and her own wines.
- 7:30PM: Dinner made by guest chef with Castello di Potentino wine at the Castle.
Tuesday, October 8th
- 7am to 10am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
- 9:30am to 10:30am Optional: Run/hike with Marnie
- Midday: Making cheese with local cheesemaker followed by Lunch
- 5:30 to 6:30PM: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset
- 7:30PM: Dinner made by guest chef with Castello di Potentino wine at the Castle
Wednesday, October 9th
- 7am to 10am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
- Free day for guests to explore local hot springs or hilltop villages
- 5:30 to 6:30PM: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset
- 7:30PM: Dinner made by guest chef with Castello di Potentino wine at the Castle
Thursday, October 10th
- 7am to 10am: Self- serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
- 9am to 10am: Optional: Run/hike with Marnie
- 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM: Lunch, wine tasting, and tour of the beautiful Poggio Rubino Winery in the famous Brunello wine region. Then a couple hours exploring the hilltop village Montalcino. (shuttle included)
- 5:30 to 6:30 PM: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset
- 7:30PM: Dinner made by guest chef with Castello di Potentino wine at the Castle
Friday, October 11th
- 7am to 10am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
- 10:00 AM: Guided foraging walk on grounds of castle, picnic in the garden, olive oil tasting, grape harvesting, traditional Etruscan wine-making with feet.
- 5:30 to 6:30 PM: Artisanal Cocktails at the pool for sunset
- Evening: 7:30 PM: Special Solstice Savory Pie dinner with Castello di Potentino Wine (Hosted by Marnie, Patrick, Zak, and Finn) *** If weather permits in the castle courtyard under candle light.
Saturday, October 12th
- 7am to 10am: Self-serve Continental breakfast with fresh pastries
- 9am to 10am: Optional: Run with Marnie or Hike with Zak and Finn on Property
- Check out 11am. Ciao till our next retreat!