A tailored trip for wine lovers and foodies: immerse yourself in Tuscany's enogastronomic culture. You will visit the most iconic, award-winning wineries, medieval towns, and learn about the creation of the magical elixir called wine. Enjoy exquisite cuisine perfectly paired with wines, visit cheese producers, experience Medieval and Renaissance architecture, take part in a cooking lesson, and much more.
The tour starts and ends in Florence, allowing for extensions to your Italian stay. During the tour, you will explore the story of grape and wine production, participate in tastings, and refine your ability to discern the varied aromas and flavors of world-renowned Tuscan wines.
During the tour, you will learn the story and essentials of grape and wine production, participate in tastings, and explore the concepts of pairing wines with appropriate and delicious foods. We hope to refine both your nose for wine and its many aromas, and enhance your ability to discern the varied flavours that wine tasting will familiarize you with, so that you may more fully enjoy the magnificent world-renown Tuscan wines.
Below is a brief description of the tour, a more detailed itinerary will be provided to participants before the tour. Most days will also include an additional activity such as those mentioned above or relax time. There will also be opportunities for shopping in various localities. The itinerary is subject to small changes depending on final confirmation at the various sites we will visit.
Itinerary
Arrival in Florence
You will have a private transfer from the airport or train station to a 4-star hotel.
Siena
We depart Florence in the morning for a Chianti Classico tasting, followed by a visit to the Abbey of Sant'Antimo where if we are lucky, we will hear the Benedictine monks sing Gregorian chant. We will then go to the charming tiny Medieval walled village of Monteriggioni for lunch and some leather shopping. We will finish the day with another wine tasting, and then on to our 4-star hotel in Siena.
Chianti
Today we will taste Chianti Classico and other wines at the Antinori winery, one of the largest, most diverse producer of highest quality wines, in Chianti and in various parts of the country. This will be followed by a perfectly paired lunch at the winery and after, admire the beautiful postcard-ready hills of the Chianti territory.
Montepulciano
This town produces Vino Nobile de Montepulciano wines. You will fall in love with the beautiful scenery of the hills covered with vineyards, we will learn about the production method of these elegant wines and taste their premium line. We will visit two wineries, including La Braccesca where we will also have a cooking class and will get to enjoy the prize of our labour, beautifully paired with those wines.
Montalcino
Today we will visit two of the top Brunello producers including Potazzine winery, and enjoy a delicious lunch in the town's piazza. We will also have a chance to walk around the medieval town and visit the Fortezza 14th century castle. In the afternoon we will visit another iconic winery – Castello Banfi.
Montalcino
In the morning, we will visit the Fattoria dei Barbi winery for a tasting, and their cheese producing facility, walk around their gorgeous vineyards, followed by lunch at the winery. In the afternoon, we will travel to San Gimignano where we will have a Masterclass on the Vernaccia wine, and then on to our new 4-star hotel.
San Gimignano – Free Day
You will have a free day to get lost in this beautiful well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a small walled city famous for its medieval architecture and towers. You will have a chance to walk around the town squares, view the Collegiata Romanesque church, admire the beautiful towers, catch up on your shopping, taste a few more wines, or visit the famous Dondoli ice cream shop awarded several times as the world's most famous gelato.
Bolgheri & Volterra
Today we will travel to Bolgheri where we will visit one of the most iconic wineries – Ornellaia – and taste their superb wines, including a Super Tuscan. After the tasting, we'll have lunch in Volterra and have time for a walk around the town.
Vinci
Morning transfer to visit Leonardo da Vinci's birthplace and the impressive Leonardo Museum. After this we will have a "Goodbye" lunch with a fabulous view of the city. Sadly, all good things must come to an end! At around 4 pm we will transfer to the Florence airport and train station. We hope to see you again on another occasion or trip!
Understanding Italian Wine Classifications
To facilitate your understanding of Italian wines, here are the four main categories of label classifications, ranging from lowest to highest quality:
Vino da Tavola (VdT)
Wine without a geographical indication — "table wine."
IGT
Indicazione Geografica Tipica — the broadest category. Grapes must come from the IGT region but without strict style standards.
DOC
Denominazione di Origine Controllata — "designation of controlled origin." Rules on permitted grape varieties, yields and aging.
DOCG
The highest quality level. Only 74 exist in Italy. Must pass a tasting quality panel and adhere to strict production requirements. We will be tasting mostly top-of-the-line DOCG wines.