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La Dolce Vita's Tuscan Wine Treasures Tour Tour Duration : 6 Days  Day 1:
MONTELPULCIANO'S RENAISSANCE PALACES & NOBLE WINE Some of the most well-preserved Renaissance architecture outside of Florence is found in today’s two stops: Pienza and Montepulciano. We’ll start in Pienza, whose town square is one of the rare cases where an "ideal" Renaissance piazza was actually constructed, in this case by a powerful Humanist Pope. While in town, we’ll also take time to learn about Pienza’s famed cheese and majolica pottery and visit the shops. Next, we’ll head to Montepuliciano, which is a living museum of stately Renaissance palaces. As we tour the town, we’ll stop in several tasting rooms for nearby estates that produce the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a red wine that is now undergoing its own Renaissance. We’ll visit the esteemed Avignonesi, who pioneered improvements in this wine of nobles, then head to Dei and Poliziano, among other producers of this black-fruited red wine. Our farewell dinner features classic Tuscan fare that pairs well with these big reds, such as wild boar (cinghiale), stewed rabbit with black olives, or Tuscany’s famed steak, bistecca fiorentina. Day 2: THE PRESTIGIOUS BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO Today we explore an area south of Siena with a completely different landscape, with stark rolling hills marked by winding roads lined with dark cypresses and fortified towns. Perched on the highest hill is Montalcino, a walled city surrounded by acres of vineyards that produce one of Tuscany’s most esteemed red wines, Brunello di Montalcino. We’ll visit some of its leading producers, beginning with Il Marroneto, where we’ll have lunch in their old stone farmhouse and taste their updated versions of this age-old wine. We’ll then stop in town for a tour of the imposing medieval fortress and a visit to its enoteca, where we’ll sample some more Brunellos and possibly pick up some local honey, cheese, or jam. Then we’ll return to the countryside to visit up-and-coming producer Poggio San Polo, which has an impressive Super Tuscan in addition to their Brunellos. Dinner on your own. Day 3: SIENA'S NATIONAL ENOTECA Siena, ancient rival to Florence, has one thing Florence does not: the largest wine library in the country. This can be found in the National Enoteca Italiana, situated inside a massive 16th century Medici fort. As we transfer from southern Tuscany to Chianti, we'll stop off in Siena for the day, starting off with a café and panforte at Nanini, one of the most famous coffee bars. Next is a tour of Siena's serpentine streets and splendid Piazza del Campo, then a visit to the Palazzo Pubblico or City Hall, which houses several Italian Gothic masterpieces by Simone Martini and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. We'll also visit Siena's massive black-and-white striped Duomo, home to artworks by Michelangelo and Pinturicchio. After lunch and time to shop, we'll reconvene for a wine tasting at the Enoteca, where we'll have a comparative tasting of three Chiantis from different DOC regions. Evening finds us resituated in Castellina in Chianti, where you'll find one of the best gelaterie around. Dinner is at a nearby restaurant that provides an elegant, nouveau rendering of classic Tuscan fare.
IN THE TUSCAN KITCHEN During the 1970s, the so-called "Super Tuscans" sprung forth in the land of Chianti. We’ll learn why and where this trend developed and visit some of the innovators, starting with the beautifully situated Riecine estate. Lunch then takes us to a landmark deep in the woods of Chianti: the 11th century abbey Badia a Coltibuono. It’s here that Lorenza di Medici runs her famed cooking school, while her husband’s family, the Stucchis, have produced wine from its the vineyards for several generations. Afterwards, we’ll go down in the valley to visit the expansive Montevertine estate, where innovator Sergio Manetti broke with tradition in 1977 by making the first pure Sangiovese in barrique, and continues to produce superlative wines. We’ll finish off the day with an in-depth, hands-on cooking lesson near the town of Gaiole, where we’ll roll up our sleeves and make our own dinner, learning some traditional Tuscan recipes. As the evening fades, we’ll toast our valiant efforts with a glass of Vin Santo, the golden dessert wine of the monks, traditionally served with almond biscotti. Day 5: THE HEART OF CHIANTI CLASSICO Today we spend our time in the Chianti Classico region, traynig to learn the secrets of this great wine. We start the day visiting the castle of Volpaia, located high on a slope where foxes once roamed, now home to an esteemed vineyard that produces olive oil and vinegar along with its elegant Chiantis and Super Tuscans. We continue with Dievole, an estate almost 1000 years old, and we continue with a near by small producers Terrabianca to semple its wonderfull Supertuscan. Dinner is at the cozy Osteria di Fonterutoli, part of the wine estate Castello di Fonterutoli, which has been run by the Mazzei family since 1435. Day 6: BUON VIAGGIO A shuttle to Florence and assistance with your travel plans.
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