Twenty varieties of pecorino cheese, fresh ricotta, jams, honey, bread (plain, as befits true Tuscans), and a basket with napkins to enjoy an outdoor experience: the Cugusi dairy, between Pienza and Montepulciano, has found a winning formula for years with the DIY picnic made available to the many customers who come to the shop to make purchases. A great idea for a different lunch break during a day trip.
The picnic at the Tuscan dairy
The shop is spacious and, in addition to cheeses, offers many cured meats, sausages, and different types of honey in various sizes. The basket with cutlery costs €2.50 per person, then everyone pays according to the quantity and quality of the chosen food, also with the help of friendly and attentive staff. In the equipped area, there are several wooden tables to share with a view of the Temple of San Biagio: picnics are available from 10 am to 6 pm from March 27th to November 3rd, the outdoor space is open, and everything varies depending on the weather.
For drinks, there is water, wine selected from the cellars of Montepulciano, and craft beer. The basket also includes a wooden cutting board for slicing cheeses and sausages, in spring there are also broad beans (which pair well with pecorino cheese), and there are also various pickled vegetables to accompany the bread.
The destination is quite popular, so it's better to secure a spot by booking in advance. Raffaele and Maria Cugusi started the business in 1962 when they moved from Sardinia to Val d'Orcia, and for many years Silvana Cugusi has been in charge of management, which has remained family-owned for these long 62 years. Production begins in the morning, with milk processing and sheep care, then proceeds to sales and hospitality with the five rooms of the B&B La Boccia, with a natural style, with lots of wood and warm tones.
The kingdom of Pienza pecorino cheese
The protagonist is the Pienza pecorino cheese, offered here in various varieties. For those who want to try more than one, there is the possibility of organizing a tasting with 5 types, accompanied by fruit, a portion of ricotta, water, and wine. Otherwise, just choose from the goodies on the counter and fill the basket. A taste of classic pecorino cheese (fresh, semi-aged, and aged) is a must, but it's also worth leaving some space for the "first salt", the delicious herb-flavored pecorino, and the truffle pecorino, which, along with others, has also won the gold medal at the World Cheese Awards.
The pecorino cheese with black pepper, the hay-aged one, the "Fossa" pecorino, and the bran-aged one are also good. A house specialty? The "Candido", soft and creamy pecorino cheese, with a dense texture and a bright ivory color. A glass of wine, some sunshine, good company, and lunch are served.
Caseificio Cugusi – Montepulciano (SI) – via della Boccia, 8 - cugusibnb.com/
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