DESCRIPTION:

 

In Tuscany, there is a passion for living well and enjoying what locals call the "dolce vita." A charming, country house nestled into the hills looking onto the staggering beauty of the Val d'Orcia, bountiful meals in the Tuscan tradition, storied wines, history and the rustic charm of southern Tuscany all await. Walk the streets of the ancient Etruscan hill towns of Siena and Pienza with professional guide Francesco Gronchi and discover profound art from the past, living side by side with the unimaginably beautiful works of present day artisans. Visit Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Castelnouvo Berardenga, and enjoy tastings of the famous Brunello, Vino Nobile and Chianti by top producers who coax world-class wines from the ubiquitous Sangiovese grape. Relax and drink in the beauty of the Val d'Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and setting of our country house Terre di Nano. Relish the bounty and generosity of the Tuscan countryside, with MARTIN KEEGAN TOURS' romantic and unforgettable tour of southern Tuscany.

 

SUNDAY, Day 1 (Welcome to Tuscany!) - Guests will be picked up at Florence-Peretola Airport and transferred by coach to our country home for the next five nights, the agritursimo Terre di Nano in Monticchiello di Pienza, southern Tuscany. Terre di Nano is a working vineyard and winery, and once we've had time to settle in, we'll be introduced to our hosts who will lead us on a tour of the cantina and cellars accompanied by wine, cheese and salumi. Next, we'll gather in the common area to review our itinerary for the week. Afterwards we'll enjoy and rustic Tuscan feast with local wines prepared by our hosts.

 

MONDAY, Day 2 (Siena and Chianti) - After a wonderful breakfast at Terre di Nano, we'll travel north for a guided tour of Siena led by Francesco Gronchi. We'll visit the Museo Civico at the piazza del Campo, and the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo di Siena, before enjoying lunch at La Taverna di San Giuseppe in the heart of Siena, serving local specialties such as ricotta gnocchi with melted pecorino cheese from Pienza and fresh truffles. After lunch we'll take a short drive to Castelnuovo Berardenga to visit two of Chianti's best producers, Fattoria di Fèlsina and then Fattoria Carpeneta Fontalpino. Nearing home in the evening we'll stop in nearby Montepulciano for dinner at the charming restaurant La Grotta, where we will enjoy its menu of traditional local dishes and wines.

 

TUESDAY, Day 3 (Artisans and Noble Wines In Montepulciano) - Just a few miles east of our country house is the important winemaking town of Montepulciano, famous for its Vino Nobile wines. We'll visit the cellars of Maria Caterina Dei to taste her exquisitely crafted wines, then to Azienda Agricola Poliziano to sample their take on the noble Sangiovese, before breaking for lunch at the quaint Le Logge Del Vignola restaurant in Montepulciano. In the afternoon we'll stroll the streets of Montepulciano and peruse the wonderful shops and diversions. Not to be missed are Ambrogio Zamparo's renowned mosaic art, and the workshop of coppersmith Cesare Mazzetti, as well as the underground labyrinth of cellars that is Cantina del Redi. Dinner tonight is another Tuscan feast with wine at Terre di Nano.

 

WEDNESDAY, Day 4 (A Day Spent Locally) - After breakfast guests will join us as we drive just a few kilometers north to the picturesque town of Pienza, birthplace of Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini who would become Pope Pius II, and later in the 15th Century rebuilt his birth place as an ideal Renaissance town to serve as a retreat from Rome. In Pienza, guests will have the morning free to discover the sites and shops, such as the fantastic selection of Pecorino cheese at Remo Menaci, local wines at La Bettega del Naturista, Corso Rossellino with its ceramics and cast iron shops, and the stately Piazza Pio II, before we meet for lunch at Osteria Sette di Vino. (Note: Guests may choose to spend the morning relaxing at Terre di Nano—perhaps taking a dip in the pool, enjoying the views on a walk through the vineyards, or taking a scenic 4 km bicycle ride to see the famous Strada Montichiello—so will be on their own for lunch today with our recommendations). After lunch the group ventures back to Terre di Nano where guests may take part in a "First Hand" cooking class with Chef and Sommelier Giorgio, learning how to prepare the local "pici" pasta and much more. In the evening we'll gather for a wonderful four course meal with delicious wines.

 

THURSDAY, Day 5 (A Day of Brunello di Montalcino) - After a hearty breakfast, we'll take a meandering drive approximately 20 miles west to the town of Montalcino, home to one of Italy's grandest wines, its Brunello, and our first tasting of the day at Azienda Agraria Costanti. We'll take a break midday for a light lunch at the bustling Ristorante Pizzaria Il Grifo on Via Mazzini in the heart of Montalcino. After lunch guests will have a little time to walk the narrow streets of Montalcino—possibly to acquire a bottle of Diego Molonari's elusive Brunello di Montalcino in one of the town's many enoteche—before we head to our next tasting visit at the historic Biondi Santi/Tenuta Greppo just to the southeast of Montalcino. Then, heading back in the direction of Terre di Nano, we'll also visit one or two other fine Brunello producers such as Canalicchio di Sopra, La Fortuna, or Casanova di Neri. Tonight we'll gather together for the last time over another fabulous feast prepared by our hosts, sipping wines we've gathered throughout our stay in Tuscany, and sharing the pleasure of each other's company as we reminisce about all we have experienced.

 

FRIDAY, Day 6 - After an early breakfast, guests will be transferred by shuttle to Florence-Peretola Airport for departures home or onward travel.