By Donna Sozio / Source: Ecosalon

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Italy has faced major environmental controversy but it’s also in the middle of an eco-renaissance.

On the heels of its Nutella scandal it’s important to acknowledge the individuals, winemakers, hotels, restaurants, and even a corporation dedicated to sustainability while preserving some of Italy’s oldest traditions that are slipping away.

Here are 5 Masters of Italy’s Eco-Renaissance:

Umbria’s RoccaFiore has it all: a boutique hotel, vineyards, cantina, wellness center, and a restaurant featuring a sumptuous Zero-K menu. You’ll pinch yourself in midst of lavender gardens and sweeping views over Umbria’s hills and medieval towns. Try a safari through the native organic grechetto vineyards that make a crisp white. Roccafiore is equally committed to ecological balance as well as style and Italian chic. All the while generating their own solar energy that saves a whopping 90.000 Kg of carbon emissions annually!

2. Naturhotel Miraval, Alta Badia

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If you like skiing, biking, or climbing, this is the place to be! Nestled in Alta Badia, home to the famous Sella Ronda, this sexy new eco hotel is quickly becoming a traveler’s favorite. Perched on the Sasso Santa Croce Mountain, when you take a seat on its panoramic lounge or soak in the outdoor hot tub, you can’t help but feel one with nature. In a UNESCO World Heritage site, locals, tourists, and developers work together to protect the nature’s delicate ecosystem. And proud of its KlimaHotel certificate, the Naturhotel Miraval meets very high standards to have a low impact.

3. Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, Tuscany

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Many an expat has renovated an old farmhouse under the Tuscan sun. But an entire village? That’s what international travel group TUI is doing. Toscana Resort Castelfalfi is an 800-year-old medieval hamlet that had only five residents left at the time of purchase. Most had moved out of the village years ago in search for employment. Now, employment and opportunity has come to them.

Situated on more than 2,700 acres of vineyards, olive groves, woods, and lakes, TUI is busting their buns to make Toscana Resort Castelfalfi sustainable. Ninety-six percent of water comes from collected rainwater on property. And 64 percent of energy comes from renewable resources. Even its promotional paper products are FSC-certified paper to combat deforestation. (Ahem, Ferraro.) Toscana is collaborating with local Italian agencies to create sustainable solutions such as a three-year trial of biomass production with the Scuola Superiore S. Anna of Pisa. And for olive oil lovers, in 2016 its entire production will be completely organic.

4. Arnaldo Caprai Vineyard and Cantina, Umbria

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If you like Barolo, then you’ll love Sagrantino di Montefalco. Especially made in Umbria’s famed cantina Arnaldo Caprai. One of the biggest producers of Sagrantino, owner and winemaker Marco Caprai is committed to sustainable growing practices and not just in his vineyards. His vision is for all Italian winemakers to join his New Green Revolution project, limit pesticides, create vineyard biodiversity, limit CO2 emissions and more. He recently presented his sustainable ideals at EXPO MILAN 2015. In vino veritas. And sustainability works. Because his wine – is fantastic!

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