About
Tuscany
Maremma/
Bolgheri
Most wine lovers are probably far more familiar with the word Supertuscan than
the region where these modern classics are produced, the Maremma region of Tuscany.
The fame of the excellent wines that began as Italian home-grown versions of
Bordeaux has spread throughout the world of wine connoisseurs, but until recently
the region itself was ignored by most visitors to Tuscany. Now though, more and
more oenophiles are diverting to come to the pretty hills by the Mediterranean
to discover the Maremma's secrets for themselves.
Many of the first visitors didn't go any further south than Bolgheri, but now
they have discovered that the real hub of the region lies around the lovely medieval
village of Suvereto, nestled in the ancient Etruscan hills in the midst of the
Val di Cornia, home to such modern classics as Tua Rita and Le Volpaiole.
There were vineyards in the hills, but Maremma only really became famous in the
modern era since the first production of Sassicaia in the 1970's. Since then,
and particularly in the past 10-15 years, the region has begun to explode. In
the past five years the amount of land planted to vines has multiplied by 5 times,
and local experts claim there may be up to 150 new wines launched in the next
year! What this means, of course, is that the Maremma has become both one of
the most exciting wine regions of the world, and one of the hardest to keep up
with. This is why an expert local guide is so important.
Montalcino
Montalcino is the home of Brunello, perhaps one of the biggest wines of Tuscany.
Created and made famous by the Biondi-Santi family. Made form the same
Sangiovese grape as is found in Chianti the difference in character is quite
remarkable producing wines that will age many decades. The lighter, earlier drinking
style Rosso di Montalcino is made from the same grape, which you can be enjoying
as your Brunellos age in your cellar.
Nowadays, the area of Brunello production
stretches over the entire municipal territory of Montalcino, except for the valley
lowlands. The soils are mostly of Eocene origin alternating more clayey and sandy
zones with ’galestro’.
There are about 1.250 hectares declared Brunello vineyards (divided today among
a little over 150 estates) with an average production of 3.600.000 bottles a
year.
The walled village is one of the prettiest of Tuscany about 45 minutes south
of Siena. As well as many lovely trattorias and wine bars. The Fortezza (fort)
houses an excellent vinoteca carrying just about every important wine of Montalcino.
Chianti
Chianti is the classic heart of Tuscany located
between the towns of Siena and Florence, which
for centuries were bitter enemies. There are
many castles and ruins dotted throughout Chianti,
which along with the fortified hilltop villages
make this area such a popular tourist destination.
As well as the attraction of wine, Chianti
has plenty to keep the visitor busy with ceramics,
crystal works and famous medieval villages
like San Gimigagno, (the village where each
landowner tried to build a taller tower than
his neighbor), and of course Siena, the magnificent
city built on several hills and famous for
the Palio, the crazy horse race that thunders
around the cobbled streets of the main square.
The
winemakers of Chianti were hamstrung for many
years by restrictive government regulations
that forced them to use specific formulas in
their winemaking including the addition of
white grapes in the Sangiovese based red Chianti.
Eventually the winemakers gave up trying to
change the rules and started making Chianti
the way they wanted to resulting in far superior
wines for the modern market. Some of these
wines were still "illegally" called
Chianti others were produced under the generic
vino de tavola (table wine) appellation and became
known as the Supertuscan versions of wine from
this area. Finally in typical Italian tradition
the government changed the rules to correspond
with what the winemakers were doing and now allows
a percentage of other varietals such as Cabernet,
Merlot, etc. to be included in the blend. |
|
Wine
Escape to Tuscany
From $2454
pp* double occupancy including
all services, accommodations, tastings and meals listed. Excludes
air.
Tuscany
5 night Self-Drive Itinerary
Detailed
driving instructions and contact information
are supplied for each visit.
Wine Tour can begin either Sun or Mon in choice
of arrival city
Day
1 (Dinner)
Your adventure begins! Pick up your rental car in either
Rome, Florence or arrival city and follow driving directions
to arrive in the Maremma wine region in the heart of
Tuscany where your accommodation in the medieval village
of Suvereto, includes an apartment in a restored monastery – complete
with cloisters – right in the center of the village.
Once
you settled in, you are free to relax, stroll the
cobbled streets or do a little exploration outside
the village, as the mood takes you.
Dinner
tonight is at Suvereto’s top restaurant. Our
private arrangements for you include a special local
tasting menu matched with local wines.
Day
2 (Breakfast
and Lunch)
Today is your day for tasting the wines of the coastal
region of Tuscany, where some of the most exciting
wines in Italy are now produced. Many wineries from
Chianti, Montalcino and other parts of Italy have been
investing in property here, and the famous “Supertuscan” wines
originated here.
Your
day will include a visit to the tiny Etruscan village
of Populonia, dramatically perched on an outcrop
of the coast, where you will have lunch at the only
restaurant in town. Of course we have also arranged
for you to visit two of the top wineries of this
region, where you will learn some of the history
and discover why these wines are enjoying such fantastic
success.
By
advance request, we will at no extra charge happily
arrange your Lunch and/or dinner experience in any
of our recommended restaurants or, you can of course
choose to make your own arrangements
Day
3 (Breakfast)
This
morning you’re off to visit an olive oil producer
to learn how this delicious Italian specialty is
prepared, then you will continue on your way to Montalcino,
home of Brunello, perhaps the most noble of Tuscany’s
wines.
After
a beautiful 90 minute drive) you’ll arrive
in time for lunch perhaps in the enoteca – housed
in the castle at the top of the village it’s
well worth a visit. There is a great selection of
Brunellos that you can taste by the glass, and you
can choose to take a casual lunch here or make your
choice from the restaurants in the village.
In
the afternoon you’ll be able to visit and learn
first-hand from one of the village’s leading
winemakers. Then take your time to enjoy the winding
streets of this lovely hilltop village before continuing
on your travels into the Chianti region, about an
hour’s drive north just past Siena to Castellina
in Chianti.
Your
accommodation this evening are in a lovely family-owned
hotel that’s a working (and very good) winery,
ideally placed to visit the best vineyards and pretty
villages of the region.
Dinner
tonight can be enjoyed in the comfort of your hotel’s
friendly restaurant, or you can choose to drive into
Castellina or Siena if you prefer.
Day
4
Today you’ll have the chance to see some of the
prettiest countryside in Tuscany, as your winery appointments
(one before and one after lunch) take you through the
winding roads of Chianti. In between the visits you’ll
have time to fit in a visit to a ceramics artist, perhaps
a market or a stop in any of the interesting villages
along the way
Our
restaurant recommendations for lunch will correspond
with the winery locations on your itinerary. At the
end of the afternoon we recommend you to try to end
up in San Gimignano, the famous village of medieval
towers – it’s always crowed with tourists
during the day, but if you get there late afternoon,
you can have a little more space to yourself. San “Gimi” is
known for excellent salami, venison and other delicious
charcuterie, as well as the refreshing Vernacchia
white wine that compliments many of these “cold-cut” foods.
You
might decide to stay here for dinner also, and enjoy
a moonlit stroll through the village before driving
home.
Day
5 (Breakfast)
Your final morning in Chianti is free for you to enjoy
as you wish, relaxing at your hotel or perhaps going
into Siena to visit the wonderful historic center and
shops, and enjoying lunch at your leisure.
If
you are interested in the fine art of Italian cooking,
we have a special optional activity just for
you - a unique opportunity for a lesson in cuisine
and life-style. This cooking class is in a traditional
farm kitchen in the heart of the rolling Chianti
hills. Your hostesses (sisters) speak fluent English
so there’s no language barrier, and the chef
(their uncle) speaks not a word, but he manages to
communicate quite effectively with his twinkling
eyes, gesticulating hands and an ever-present glass
of wine! This is far more than just a cooking lesson,
as you’ll discover as the lesson blends into
lunch, and lunch stretches into the mid-afternoon
and you’re relaxing in the warm hospitality
of your new friends. Just be sure to have a designated
driver if you don’t have a chauffeur!
This is an optional activity; please check with us
for current costs and availability.
We’ve
arranged for a wine visit this afternoon also, but
it can be cancelled if you’re just too relaxed
to go or prefer to spend the time driving to explore
more of the countryside.
We
leave dinner arrangements to your own volition, in
case you’ve taken the cooking lesson and don’t
really have room for dinner! Otherwise you can either
dine at your hotel or at one of several local restaurants
nearby that we will recommend for you.
Day
6 (Breakfast) Check
out of your hotel and drive into either Siena or
directly to Florence, according to the rest of your
chosen itinerary.
Pricing
for Tuscan 5 night FIT Self-Drive and Chauffeured
Wine Tours
Self-Drive
pricing is per person, double occupancy
# pax in party |
2 |
4 |
6 |
|
Midsize
Scenic |
Laguna
wagon |
7
Seat
Espace |
Chiostro/Casafrassi |
$2,531 |
$2,419 $2,454 |
5
Nights hotel (shared twin) with breakfast
Car rental for tour period with full insurance (upgrades
and additional insurance available)
1 dinner on first night without wines
1 lunch with wine in Populonia,
6 Winery visits, 1 olive oil visit, including tasting
fees
NOT included: optional cooking class with lunch – please
inquire for price / availability.
Chauffeured
pricing is per person, double occupancy
#
pax in party |
2 |
4 |
6 |
|
Midsize
Scenic |
7-seat Espace |
9-seat
VW Bus |
Chiostro/Casafrassi |
$4,929 |
$3,783 |
$3,164 |
Inclusions:
5 Nights hotel in shared double/twin room with breakfast
Private chauffeured vehicle for tour period with wine
expert driver/guide, including transfers
(Note: transportation to/from dinner is not included,
and will be arranged with local taxis as needed)
1 dinner on first night without wines
1 lunch with wine in Populonia
6 Winery visits, 1 olive oil visit, including tasting
fees
NOT included: optional cooking class with lunch – please
call for price and availability
WIneries:
Properties will be a selection of large and small producers.
Tuscan properties vary greatly in their presentation
and philosophy, and many smaller producers do not
speak English. Therefore choice of visits is dependent
on guests’ ability in local language, as
well as normal constraints of time of year and
advance booking notice. All visits are requested
on an individual basis and winemakers’ schedules
can fill well in advance at certain times of the
year. Visits are personally selected by Peter Smith,
based on his extensive experience in the region,
and are often with winemakers who are personal
friends of his.
Accommodations:
Il Chiostro is a restored monastery
in the historic village of Suvereto. It is comprised
of vacation apartments with small kitchenettes.
This is a unique accommodation in a superb location,
and quite unique. It does not have a dining room,
so breakfast is arranged at a local café just
around the corner, in typical Italian fashion.
Hotel Casafrassi is a family property between
Castellina and Siena, in the heart of Chianti Classico. It
is situated on the family’s well-respected winery property
(which you can visit), and owner Giovanni Vidali also breeds
a species of local boar that has long traditions in the region
but is now endangered. The hotel’s restaurant is excellent,
and service is friendly.
Accommodation upgrades available.
Call
866-441-8086 for reservations.
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