CART UPDATED!
2018-09-12
San Gimignano an experience not to be missed!
Kristine Truckly
USA
Our travel agent booked this tour for us and we couldn’t have had a better experience for our Tuscan wine tour! We met our tour guide, Matteo, in the square outside of the national library at 9:30. We had 7 people in our group and we embarked in a small van out to wine country. Matteo was so knowledgeable about the area and the wines (he is a sommelier as well). Our first stop was the Cesani winery in the San Gimignano region. We were welcomed by our friendly host, Melania, and accompanied by a table set specifically for our group. We sampled several white wines made from the Vernaccia grape, which is indigenous to this region. We also sampled several reds, including Chianti and “super Tuscan.” The wines were paired with bread (drizzled in olive oil also made at the winery) and cheeses. Melania and Matteo both provided tips tasting wine properly, as well as the different labels used to identify the wines. We drove to our next location, Casa Alle Vacche, where we had the most-amazing, freshly prepared lunch. The food was paired with wines poured and explained by the owner’s son. Lunch consisted of a beautiful appetizer platter (meats, cheeses, eggplant, onion jam, etc.), gnocchi made with saffron, drunken bolognese and homemade biscotti. After lunch, we toured the vineyard (also led by the owner’s son). We learned about the grapes, the growing and harvesting process and even had the opportunity to taste a couple of grapes! After we departed, we headed to San Gimignano, an ancient town with beautiful architecture. On our drive there, Matteo described the history of the town and we had about 45 minutes to explore on our own upon arrival. We arrived back at the square in Florence around 5 pm. What really made the tour great was the group of people we were with (couldn’t have asked for better day-drinking partners) and our guide, Matteo. He was so personable and you could tell he takes pride in his work and his knowledge of wine. He also made dinner recommendations for our time in Florence (and even made a reservation for one couple in our group!). Don’t miss this opportunity!
San Gimignano Wine Tour
San Gimignano an experience not to be missed!
Kristine Truckly
USA
Our travel agent booked this tour for us and we couldn’t have had a better experience for our Tuscan wine tour! We met our tour guide, Matteo, in the square outside of the national library at 9:30. We had 7 people in our group and we embarked in a small van out to wine country. Matteo was so knowledgeable about the area and the wines (he is a sommelier as well). Our first stop was the Cesani winery in the San Gimignano region. We were welcomed by our friendly host, Melania, and accompanied by a table set specifically for our group. We sampled several white wines made from the Vernaccia grape, which is indigenous to this region. We also sampled several reds, including Chianti and “super Tuscan.” The wines were paired with bread (drizzled in olive oil also made at the winery) and cheeses. Melania and Matteo both provided tips tasting wine properly, as well as the different labels used to identify the wines. We drove to our next location, Casa Alle Vacche, where we had the most-amazing, freshly prepared lunch. The food was paired with wines poured and explained by the owner’s son. Lunch consisted of a beautiful appetizer platter (meats, cheeses, eggplant, onion jam, etc.), gnocchi made with saffron, drunken bolognese and homemade biscotti. After lunch, we toured the vineyard (also led by the owner’s son). We learned about the grapes, the growing and harvesting process and even had the opportunity to taste a couple of grapes! After we departed, we headed to San Gimignano, an ancient town with beautiful architecture. On our drive there, Matteo described the history of the town and we had about 45 minutes to explore on our own upon arrival. We arrived back at the square in Florence around 5 pm. What really made the tour great was the group of people we were with (couldn’t have asked for better day-drinking partners) and our guide, Matteo. He was so personable and you could tell he takes pride in his work and his knowledge of wine. He also made dinner recommendations for our time in Florence (and even made a reservation for one couple in our group!). Don’t miss this opportunity!
San Gimignano Wine Tour