Wine Tour in Chianti Rufina

"Tuscany today makes some of the world's most original and resounding red wines, and serves them with deeply satisfying vernacular food..."
Hugh Johnson "Tuscany and its wines"

Rising above the Arno and Sieve valleys, we are in the Mugello, which includes the wine zones of Chianti Rufina and Pomino. The Mugello was one of the main summer retreats for wealthy Florentines for many centuries who came to enjoy the relatively cool climate, which also results in wines that are austere and structured. The wines can be very intense and vibrant and some are wonderfully perfumed; they are, above all, elegant and remarkably long-lived.

Pomino is one of the smallest DOC zones located in its own hill valley high above Rufina. Yet, it deserves its special status, not simply because it was singled out in Cosimo III de Medicišs grand-ducal decree of 1716, but because it has for many years produced wines with their own distinct character.

The proposed Wine Tour is arranged by a local resident, Martyn Lewis who is English and living here in the heart of Chianti Rufina. His programme is based on a personally conducted full or half days guided tour including transportation. The tour takes in the lovely countryside and visits and wine tastings at three of the very best wineries. Lunch is usually at the magnificant Villa Poggio Reale which was built to a design done by Michelangelo. It now houses the Chianti Rufina wine museum and an Enoteca (wine bar) where lunch is enjoyed, with further sampling of the many other wines produced in our region. Martyn is happy to take parties from 2 to 20 people around our special wine corner of Tuscany. Please ask for further details.

Cooking Lessons at Villa Montepescoli

The cooking lesson and lunch takes place on Wednesdays, market day in Pontassieve, with the English speaking Signora Beretta-Anguissola, who specialises in traditional Tuscan cuisine. You will meet at La Fornella, in the village of Paterno, 2 miles away, and after planning the type of meal you want you'll be taken to the market at Pontassieve to buy the ingrediants. The process of what to buy, and what to look for in quality ingrediants, will be explained and you'll also be able to watch some genuine Italian haggling and accompanying arm waving.

Afterwards you'll be taken back to the Signora's beautiful residence, Villa Montepescoli, where you will cook lunch, at the direction of the Signora, and then enjoy eating it in the dining room, with a selection of hand picked wine from the cantina. Please ask for further details.

Vineyard tour and Cooking Lesson at Selvapiana

Starting at 10.30, every weekday morning from March to December, Selvapiana conduct a wine tour of their vineyards and cellar followed by a cooking class, lunch and wine tasting.

Firstly you will be taken around some of the historic estates 135 acres of vineyards, where wine has been made for centuries. This will be followed by a tour around the wine cellars in the tower which dates back to the fourteenth century. The cooking lesson focuses on a choice of three types of cuisine, Tuscan cooking, traditional Italian and vegetarian. After preparing the meal you will be able to enjoy your cooking, in the large hall, with a selection of wines from the estate.

The day is for a maximum of 6-8 people and the Selvapiana estate are very flexible, please email us for details.

Fashion Shopping at the Mall and lunch or dinner at the Dot.com Restaurant

About twenty five minutes away is The Mall at Leccio

Retailers include: Agnona, Bottega Veneta, Emanuel Ungaro, Ermenegildo Zegna, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan, La Perla, Loro Piana, Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Yves Saint Laurent, Tod's, Valentino. Close by is the outlet for Fendi.

Located at The Mall is the Dot.Com restaurant, caffè and wine bar. The cafè-wine bar offers an excellent range of light refreshments whilst the restaurant has a mouth watering menu of modern Tuscan and Italian dishes prepared to the highest standards. The restaurant (0558657876) is open until 10pm.

We suggest either a morning drive plus a light lunch in the cafè or a late afternoon visit with dinner in the restaurant.

From La Doccia, drive down to Paterno, then cross over the road following sign for Carbonile. This is a pretty drive through extensive olive groves down to the S69. Turn left onto the S69 and proceed south until you get to The Mall which is on your right at the first roundabout you come to. Fendi is a little further along the S69 also on your right.

The Mall
Information: Tel. 055 8657775
Open from Monday to Saturday 9.30-13.00 / 13.30-18.30
Sunday 14.30-18.30

FENDI
Information: Tel. 055 834981
Open: from Monday to Saturday 9.30-18.30
Sunday 14.30-18.30