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Tours
Personal One Day Tuscan Wine Tours. There are four major wine regions in Tuscany, each boasting DOCG wines: Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepuciano and White Vernaccia of San Gimignano. You can choose any one of the four regions for your one day tour and Franco will customize the day for you so you can maximize your experience. No matter which region you choose, Franco will teach you the history of wine production in Tuscany and during all wine tastings, he will guide you through the process of evaluating the wine.
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The Brunello tour starts at 8:45 a.m. from Siena with a
drive through the valley of Arbia, a beautiful panorama of green fields in spring time, due to the production of wheat in the area.
The history of the Valley and Siena is given in details by the tour guide who himself was once a farmer and a resident in the area, very knowledgeable of the stories and legends of the surrounding areas.
The drive continues in the direction of Montalcino, with a visit to a winery of Brunello (great way to start the morning). We visit the cellars where you will see the barrels of the wine and be given the history of the Tuscan wine, considered the best wine in the world (for quality and price) of 2001 by wine spectator.
On the way to Montalcino, pictures can be taken and a stop for a gelato, or coffee ( a very Italian thing). We then go to a little village called Castelnuovo dell’Abate and a visit to Abbey of San Antimo, built in 781 Ad, where at 12:45 we can listen to the chants of the Monks (which last about 15 minutes, definitely worth it).
AVAILABLE TWO DIFFERENT LUNCHES:
1.) At the winery
Lunch is served in a winery, outside in the garden or in the wine cellar in an authentic room in front of the fire place.
The family cooks a typical Montalcino lunch with the products from the farm. There is also the possibility of tasting their Brunello, only 5000 bottles produced each year (not for export) but can be purchased there with the shipping included.
Extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, Brunello di Montalcino super Tuscan wine, grappa and Brandy are the products at disposition for tasting.
2.) Alberto's Farm
The second lunch will be offered by Alberto, he produces Extra virgin Olive Oil, his little farm is so close to the San Antimo Abbey and he is spending is life enjoing cooking with his wife just to few selected friends that he personally chose to host in his farm.
After lunch will be possibile to visit his unusual bothanic garden, another surprise of the tour…
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After a long relaxing lunch, we visit an Etruscan village of the VI century BC, near the property, then back to our starting point.Brunello di Montalcino is produced in the beautiful part of Tuscany located just south of Siena. This Tuscan wine has become a world-wide wine sensation, elevating the world's image of Italian wine. It is produced according to the strictest of standards, following limits on yields per acre, length of aging and a commissioned examination. Made from the Brunello grape, the Sangiovese Grosso, Brunello di Montalcino was first produced in the 19 th century by Ferruccio Biondi-Santi. Today, any place where quality wines are enjoyed, one will find Brunello di Montalcino.
Our drive to Montalcino will take you through the picturesque sights of Monteroni d'Arbia and Buonconvento. Franco will tell you stories of the region and some of the history of Montalcino as you make your way there. If you're lucky, Franco may even point out his home in the quaint countryside of Monteroni d'Arbia.
Once in the region of Montalcino, we will visit the Romanesque monastery, Abbazia Sant'Antimo (www.antimo.it) . Allegedly begun by Charlemagne to give thanks for the ending of the black plague, today monks still inhabit this 8 th century abbey and sing beautiful Gregorian chants. Have your cameras ready for breathtaking photos and hope for a truly special treat if the monks are singing during your visit to Sant'Antimo.
We will visit two of the region's top wineries where you will see the oak barrels filled with aging Brunello and you will taste our famous Brunello, along with the younger Rosso di Montalcino, a Riserva and a Super Tuscan. Franco will guide you through proper tasting techniques and tell you of the significant production standards and history of the impressive Brunello di Montalcino.
One of the wineries we will visit is Piombaia ( www.piombaia.com ), a leading producer of Brunello di Montalcino. Here you will visit with Roberto Cantini, owner of Piombaia, while you taste his amazing wines: Brunello, an IGT Super Tuscan, Brandy and Grappa. You will also be treated to the delicious tastes of Piombaia-produced extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Lunch will be shared at either one of the wineries or a nearby local restaurant where food typical of the region is served. Of course, more wine will be sampled with advice from Franco and, remember – Franco's driving so you can relax and enjoy as much as you'd like.
After lunch, we will visit the town of Montalcino where you can view the striking medieval fortress and visit shops for locally produced food and artisan products.
The Chianti Classico is the widest wine area in Tuscany. The Chianti is between Siena and Florence, famous not only for the wine but also for the reason of the longest war ever between two cities, from the beginning of the medieval until 1555, when Siena lost the war. The fight was to draw boundaries and establish which was the area of Siena and the capital of Tuscany.
The tour starts at 8:30am driving South of Siena, through the white old roads, where we pass through beautiful villages with breathtaking views and several stops for pictures. We will then have lunch in the village called Volpaia, in the area of Radda, once the capital during the war.
The first wine tasting is in a little winery where the owner will take us on a tour of the cellar along with tasting of the wine and description of the production of the wine. A historical description of the area follows, which includes the Etruscan Tombs of the VI century BC, recently discovered hidden in the middle of the forest.
Another wine tasting will follow in a bigger cellar in a castle where the tasting of extra virgin olive oil will be done, along with a tour of the underground Medieval wine cellars.
Once back in the village of Volpaia, a full course authentic Chianti lunch will be served along with coffee ( American if preferred ).After lunch we will visit an incredible small village (not famous to tourists but very charming). The village is called Vertine, existing since the year 1000, some 300 years ago. The population of Vertine 45, with 2 dogs and 5 cats.
On our stop in Radda in Chianti there is yet another tasting of wine, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, 12 to 25 years old, aged in wooden barrels to make it last forever.
The visit of the popular village Cortona, today famous around the World for the movie “Under the tuscan sun”, is definitly a place that deserves to be visited.
Located on the very South of Tuscany in the province of Arezzo, Cortona has very ancient origines, we can still notice the old Etruscan and Roman architecture.
The tour includes the visit of the town, the opportunity of the visit of the impressive Etruscan Museum (one of the more complete), then we leave for the first Nobile di Montepulciano tasting
Sometimes confused with Montalcino, Montepulciano owns another prestigious wine, called “Nobile” and since about 30 years already is part of the DOCG big wines of Tuscany.
The tour includes the visit of a beautiful farm not so far from Cortona, where we have a guided visit, the tasting of 5 different wines plus Tuscan appetizers ( Cinta senese cold cuts, pecorino cheese, and local specialties).
So, ready to visit the town, where you can choose to make shopping, visit the artisan “Botteghe” like Mr Cesare Mani d’Oro (gold hands) that still work the copper like they used to do in the old times, or tasting another Nobile di Montepulciano wine.
One of Tuscany's most beloved towns is San Gimignano. Northeast of Siena, San Gimignano is 
famous for its many towers and breathtaking views. It is also the location of the most important Tuscan white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
One of Tuscany's most beloved towns is San Gimignano. Northeast of Siena, San Gimignano is famous for its many towers and breathtaking views.
It is also the location of the most important Tuscan white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
Upon leaving San Gimignano, we'll visit Volterra, the last Etruscan town to resist the Roman Empire's advances. Volterra is famous for its ancient Etruscan and Medieval ruins and for modern alabaster artists. Finally, we'll end our day with a quick visit of Colle Val d'Elsa, the village where Italy's crystal production occurs.
Time will be made available for shopping for local products along with tasting locally produced food products such as extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Each of these towns have been made famous by films. Arezzo was unveiled by Life is Beautiful and Cortona was revealed by the book and film Under the Tuscan Sun. Arezzo is famous for its antiques and the town holds a well-known antique market every month. Also in Arezzo is a highly rated Renaissance fresco, Legend of the True Cross . Cortona is a picturesque village filled with wonderful enotecas and local restaurants. While in Cortona, you'll definitely visit the Etruscan museum and the Etruscan excavation happening there.
This culinary tour takes us to the Creti Senesi area of Tuscany . The beginning of this tour will take us to the beautiful monastery, Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Here Franco will explain each of the twenty-one 16 th century frescoes by Luca Signorelli and Sodoma that are painted around the cloister. Franco will also give you the history of the monastery and guide you through this fascinating and enchanting place. There is a natural healing pharmacy located at the monastery that contains products produced by the monks still living there.
From the monastery we will travel to La Romita, a family farm renowned for its high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You can tour the farm and see the process of harvesting olives and producing the famous first cold press oil. And, of course, you will have the opportunity to sample its delicious taste!
We will then share a lunch of truffle pasta at a local restaurant, Asso Tartufi, where you will taste some of the highest quality truffles available from Creti Senesi. Be ready for an amazing taste sensation as you sample the finest truffles to be had.
Of course, there will be time for purchasing Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Truffles along our way!