Best of Tuscan Wines Tour, 5 Days with Fufluns

 

Day One

Arriving in Tuscany

11:00am – Arrival 
Arrive into Pisa or Florence Airport

 

12.00pm – Departure from Airport
Depart from airport with bus and guide wine expert

 

1.00pm – Tenuta Argenitiera
Seventy-five of the estate’s 500 hectares are planted with specialized vineyards, all falling into the DOC Bolgheri Bolgheri and IGT Toscana appellation with a total production of about 500.000 bottles. Within the DOC Bolgheri area, Tenuta Argentiera is the closest estate to the sea and the one that reaches the highest altitude, spreading from the plains to the hills.

 

4.00pm – Check-in at the hotel
This is the ultimate in a family owned luxury Tuscan estate. It has views of the ocean in the background, cypress trees all around, and olive groves. Many of the rooms are little cottages nestled in the gardens with a rustic yet luxurious style. Last year many people thought this was the most characterful and fun place we stayed on the trip, although the hotel in Chianti, where we will move to after 2 nights, is considered to be the very best hotel in the region.

 

4.00pm-6.00 pm – Relax
Enjoy sometime alone to unwind and relax from your arrival.

 

6.30pm – Tuscan Village
We will stop by a tiny little Tuscan village that dates back hundreds of years. This is where Filippo lives. Suvereto is a classic medieval village whose origins date back to before the year 1000. Situated on the slopes of the hills overlooking the Costa Degli Etruschi, it is a true jewel, rich in history and art, set in the green valley of the River Cornia. The town keeps its old traditions alive through magical festivals inspired by history and folklore that are held throughout the year, thanks to the mild climate. Suvereto is Slow Food City, Wine City and Olive Oil City.

 

7.00pm – A surprise for you!
Aperitif made by my mam followed by the exhibition of the local group of the flag ship historical group. in the historical part of the village in the court of Il Chiostro 11th convent.

 

8.00pm – Private dinner
Dinner will be held in Filippo’s mam House with his mam making the dinner and Filippo’s provided the wines 

Or
 Dinner at Il Ciocio Family Style Restaurant a Suvereto

 

Day Two

Bolgheri: Super Tuscan Heaven 

9.45am – Breakfast & Depart from the hotel
Espresso, breakfast, and then we’ll drive 20 minutes through medieval villages, dating pre 990 towards Bolgheri. The Tuscan countryside is idyllic.

 

10.00am– Visit and tasting at Sassicaia
In the 1920s the Marchese Mario Incisa Della Rocchetta dreamt of creating a ‘thoroughbred’ wine and for him, as for all the aristocracy of the time, the idea was Bordeaux. From 1948 to 1967, Sassicaia remained a strictly private affair, only to be consumed at Tenuta San Guido.

Or

Visit & Tasting at Ornellaia
The Ornellaia Estate was created in 1981 and is located near the picturesque village of Bolgheri, on the unspoilt Tuscan coast. The uniqueness of the area was epitomized by the famous poet Giosuè Carducci who gave eternal fame to the monumental Cypress Avenue leading up to Bolgheri. The coastal plain is a natural refuge for numerous migratory birds and other protected species.

 

12.00pm – Free Time in Bolgheri
A short distance from the sea, surrounded by countryside rich with vineyards and olive trees, the village with its harmonious architecture is entered through a red brick castle and is characterized by paved alleys and ancient stone palazzos adorned with geraniums. Craft shops, wine shops, trattorias and wine shop offer local products and the traditional cuisine of this area, accompanied by splendid Bolgheri DOC wines.

 

1.15pm – Lunch at  a 1 Michelin star restaurant
This is the top fish restaurant on the coast, sitting right on the beach, so you’ll be able to wander along the shore after lunch. With the seafood, we’ll sample a wide variety of Italy’s white wines, from north to south, including things you’ve never heard of.

 

3.30pm – Visit and tasting at Le Macchiole
We are in Bolgheri, Tuscany, on the Etruscan Coast. In this magical place, where rolling hills are blanketed by forest, where vineyards and olive trees meet with the Tyrrhenian Sea, Le Macchiole has taken shape over time.

Or 

Visit and Tasting at Grattamacco
Grattamacco was founded in 1977. The estate is situated on top of a hill facing the sea between Castagneto Carducci and Bolgheri at 100 m asl. The area is particularly dedicated to the production of great wines and enjoys a dry climate with consistent thermal excursions at the end of the summer. The estate extends over an area of about 35 hectares, of which 14 are vineyards and 3 are olive groves.

 

5.30pm – Leave the Winery and head back to the hotel.
At 5.30 you will have completed your wine tour and tasting & will head back to the hotel.

 

6.00pm – Arrive back to the hotel for some relaxing time.
Have some time to unwind & relax from your full day of wine touring & tasting.

 

8.00pm – Free night in the hotel
You will have a night for yourself, to do as you please. Please note however, dinner is not included tonight.

 

Day Three

From the Coast to Brunello and Chianti Classico

8.30 am – Breakfast
Espresso, breakfast, and then we’ll check out of the hotel.

 

9.30am – Check Out and Leave the Coast
Check out of the hotel and we’re off to taste some of the best Brunellos in the world.  These must be aged for 5 years before release and often come to the market much older. They are 100% pure Sangiovese, and there’s a unique terroir influenced by altitude. It’s a spectacular drive up into the hills. We’ll visit 2 benchmark producers here. 

Drive 90 minutes

 

11.30am-12.45pm – Tour and tasting at top boutique wineries Seti or other boutique winery
The Sesti estate consists of 102 hectares (254 acres) of land, of which nine hectares are planted to vineyards. The rest is given to olive groves grazing or woodland.  The vineyards are in the enviable position of being on the southern slopes of Montalcino, where some of the most prestigious Brunello comes from.

 

1.00pm – Lunch at fine family restaurant Il Leccio
We will enjoy a beautiful lunch at the opulent family restaurant Il Leccio which is known for its incredible food.

 

3.30pm – Visit a second boutiques winery such as Costanti
The villa “Colle al Matrichese”, built in the 15th century, has been the residence of the Costanti family since the middle of the 15th century; in this area, there is evidence of well-cultivated vines since the 18th century. The estate, 458 m a.s.l., is situated about 2km south-east of the town of Montalcino. As regards production, 60.000 bottles are produced including Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino and the IGT Toscana. The estate also produces Extra Virgin Olive Oil, grappa di Brunello Riserva.

Or

Biondi Santi
The vegetative cycle in The Greppo vineyards varies depending on altitude and exposure, but the Brunello grape usually germinates in the first 10 days of April and blooms at the end of May or the beginning of June. The grape veraison takes place after the middle of August and they usually ripen in mid-September. 
If you wish you can stop for a short visit to the village of Montalcino.
Drive 1.10 hour after Montalcino and arrive in Chianti Classico.

 

Free night in hotel (dinner is not included tonight)

 

Day Four

You’ve been working hard, eating, drinking and giggling your way around Tuscany. So it’s time for some relaxation in the morning with spas if you wish.

 

12.30pm – Light Lunch at Castello di Ama
This will be a fascinating addition to your trip. You will learn how you make olive oil at one of the finest producers in the world. Oh, they also make some of the best wines in Chianti here too. So it will be a tasting extravaganza.

 

4.00pm –  Visit in a family style winery with top wines such as Capannelle
Capannelle , wine producers in Gaiole in Chianti, Siena, extends over about 20 hectares (16 of Vineyard) and produces about 80.000 bottles of wine a year. You will experience a view of the garden at the winery, the tasting room at the boutique winery & then head back to the hotel.

Dinner in fine family style restaurant near the hotel o in the city of Siena only 30 minutes from Borgo San Felice

 

Day Five

The Last Day

Today, as a grand finale, we’ll visit the icon Tignanello and then have a decadent lunch at a 1 star Michelin restaurant, with a spectacular line-up of wines to pair with the tasting menu. Think Tignanello!

 

10.00am-11.45am – Visit and Tasting at Castello di Monsanto
Probably everybody’s favorite winery last year was Castello di Monsanto. Castello di Monsanto is one of the most respected estates in Tuscany and one of the top producers of traditional Chianti Classico Riserva. They have long tunnels of underground cellars stacked with bottles dating back decades.

 

12.30pm – Lunch at Osteria di Passignano
We’ll have our last meal a stone’s throw from Tignanello, at Antinori’s Estate in Chianti Classico, with a 3 courses tasting menu and a spectacular line-up of wines including Tignanello. This is a final blow out lunch.

 

2.45pm – Leave for Florence
You’ll be glad we are not eating or drinking for another day. 5 days is plenty. It’s a perfect amount of time to see the best wineries, learn an enormous amount, eat excellent food, and learn from a local Tuscan guide (who is a riot) and I’m there for your amusement.

 

3.45pm – Arrive at Florence Airport.