Chasing the Dream: How Italy became Home with Ashley Bartner of La Tavola Marche
Living the Italian Dream: How One Couple Built an Agriturismo in Le Marche
From Honeymoon to a New Life in Italy
What if the trip that changed your life started as a honeymoon?
In this episode of Sip With Nikki, I sit down with Ashley Bartner, an American who—along with her husband Jason—did something many of us dream about but rarely follow through on: they moved to Italy and built a life there.
Ashley and Jason now run La Tavola Marche, an organic agriturismo in the Le Marche region of Italy where guests can stay, cook, eat, and experience authentic Italian village life. They also have a fun podcast called The Podcast from Italy.
If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “Maybe I’ll move to Italy one day,” this conversation might just be the inspiration you need.
The Honeymoon That Changed Everything
Ashley and Jason originally visited Italy on their honeymoon. They planned a small wedding and decided to invest in an unforgettable trip instead.
During that trip, they fell in love with everything about Italy:
the pace of life
the deep connection to food
regional traditions
and the way everyday life revolved around the table
When they returned home to New York, the dream wouldn’t go away.
So Ashley did something bold: she started researching property prices in Italy.
What she found shocked her.
For the cost of a modest home in California, they could potentially purchase land and a farmhouse in Italy. That realization planted the seed for a life-changing decision.
Why They Chose Le Marche (Instead of Tuscany)
When most travelers think of Italy, they picture Tuscany, Rome, or the Amalfi Coast.
Ashley and Jason intentionally chose Le Marche, a lesser-known region on the eastern side of Italy.
Their reasoning was strategic:
fewer tourists
less competition for hospitality businesses
more affordable property
a region rich in culinary traditions
Le Marche is often described as “Italy in one region.”
Within a short drive you can experience:
Adriatic coastline
rolling vineyards
mountain landscapes
truffles, seafood, pork, and incredible local wines
For two people passionate about food and hospitality, it was the perfect place to build something unique. transcript-1773061652609
The Farmhouse That Almost Didn’t Happen…
The path to their farmhouse wasn’t smooth.
Originally they planned to buy a historic 14th-century mill, but the deal collapsed during the early rumblings of the global financial crisis.
A trusted Italian advisor suggested a different strategy: rent instead of buy.
That advice changed everything.
Within days they discovered the farmhouse where they still live today. After meeting the owner under a cherry tree and sharing a spontaneous bottle of sparkling wine, they made a handshake deal.
Nearly twenty years later, they’re still there.
Sometimes the dream property isn’t the one you plan—it’s the one that finds you.
What It’s Like Running an Agriturismo
Today Ashley and Jason run La Tavola Marche, a small agriturismo that hosts guests from around the world.
And surprisingly, it’s still mostly just the two of them running the show.
Guests can:
stay in the farmhouse apartments
take cooking classes
join food workshops
explore local wineries
experience authentic Italian village life
Their goal isn’t volume. Instead, they focus on small, immersive experiences that allow guests to connect deeply with the culture.
Cooking Classes, Wine Tours, and Food Experiences
One of the highlights of staying at La Tavola Marche is the hands-on culinary experiences.
Some of their offerings include:
traditional Italian cooking classes
sausage making and butchery workshops
wood-fired oven cooking classes
market tours with local producers
winery visits across the region
Guests often spend entire days visiting small family-run wineries, sharing meals, and experiencing the slow rhythm of Italian hospitality.
It’s not tourism—it’s participation.
The “Move to Italy” Workshops
Because so many guests asked how they made the leap, Ashley and Jason created something unique: Move to Italy workshops.
These seminars help people navigate the realities of relocating abroad, including:
visas and residency
property buying vs renting
taxes and healthcare
starting a business
adapting to life in Italy
Ashley describes it as helping people move from “dream drunk” to an actual plan.
The workshops combine inspiration with practical guidance—something many aspiring expats need.
Sip Spotlight: The Rare Lacrima Wine
During the episode we tasted a fascinating wine called Lacrima.
This rare grape originates in Le Marche and is known for:
floral aromas like rose and violet
peppery spice
medium body and tannin
bright red fruit flavors
Ashley tasted a local Italian version, while I opened a rare Sonoma County bottling produced by the Ramazzotti family.
It was an incredible cross-continental tasting of the same grape—one rooted in Italy, the other grown here in California.
Would They Do It Again?
After nearly twenty years running their agriturismo, I asked Ashley the question everyone wonders.
Would they do it again?
Her answer was simple.
“A thousand times.”
The challenges were real—language barriers, bureaucracy, and running a business in a foreign country.
But the reward has been a life built around food, wine, community, and purpose.
And honestly… that sounds like a dream worth chasing.