My most exclusive & personal tour
Your connoisseur wines of Tuscany is:
Private wine tastings
Private dining room
Private recent model minivan with AC
Home cooked Tuscan lunch with paired tasting
Tasting of ultra premium Chianti & Super Tuscan wines
Guided cellar tours
Scenic drive of the iconic Tuscan countryside
Multiple stops for your holiday photos
Pick up from your doorstep
Not available on Sundays
Scroll down for pricing
All my tours offer great wines, and relatively crowd free tastings, but on this tour we take both aspects to another level. I’ve designed my Connoisseur Wines of Tuscany Tour, so that not only will you enjoy some of Tuscany’s most revered wines, but also be able to contemplate them in the most intimate of settings.
Added to private travel which is common to all my tours, you’ll also relish in the comfort of tasting and dining rooms that have been reserved exclusively for yourselves, including personalized attention from staff and owners.
Of course, we’ll be visiting producers of ultra premium wines ($30 – $60 price range), all of which are of great finesse and complexity . These estates are my personal favorites, but more importantly, they’re also held in the highest regard by the local sommelier’s associations.
Last but certainly not least; you’ll be enjoying a four course home cooked lunch (payable separately), plus a leisurely drive through the Tuscan countryside. The drive will include stops for photos and contemplation of the iconic Tuscan scenery, and my commentary on the history of the Chianti region.
We’ll be visiting two wineries, each of which have some of the best growing conditions in Chianti. Not to mention a long tradition of know how, and fanatical attention to the smallest detail. This results in wines that are the epitome of elegance, finesse, and complexity. I’ll be taking you to “less famous estates,” which however are held in high regard by myself, the press, and most importantly…by the local sommeliers associations.
As you’ll be tasting a total of approx nine wines, and the time at each estate will be extended. This is to give you time to reset your taste buds between each glass, and also enjoy the experience without being rushed.
The visit to the first estate will also include a four course home cooked feast in your own private room in the estate’s 1800’s villa. Each course will be paired with the their highly rated wines. It’s a unique opportunity to get away from restaurants (however good), and discover genuine Tuscan food as prepared at home.
2023 price list: first wine tasting, guidance & all travel fees included
2 participants €275 per person
3 participants €210 per person
4 participants €190 per person
5 participants €175 per person
6 participants €165 per person
7 participants €155 per person
8 participants €145 per person
Four course lunch + €45 per person payable separately
Though I’m suggesting this is a tour for aficionados, it’s open to everyone. If you love good food and wine, even on a casual basis…you’ve qualified. However if you’d prefer something a little less costly, but you’d still like to taste premium wines, I suggest you look up my Wine Lover’s Special.
Connoisseur wines of Tuscany: the wineries
The tour will take us to visit two of the following wineries
Monterinaldi
Monterinladi is an ancient property, and was once the farming estate of a castle sitting on a nearby hill. Today it boasts a beautiful 1800’s villa, and underground cellars from the same period. Their highly rated wines, for which you can see the reviews here, are representative of Tuscan traditions. This means wines to accompany food, and traditional wine making methods. However, they’ve recently introduced a number of new products, with a more international appeal, and they’re rapidly gaining consent.
Your visit to Monterinaldi starts with a guided tour of the cellars. Then around mid-day you’ll be invited to take a seat in the estate’s 1800’s villa. Here you’ll be enjoying the luxury of a private room and table, and you’re in for a four course feast. It will be genuine home cooking, prepared by Margherita who isn’t a chef, “just” a great cook in a traditional and homely sense. The meal will consist of a starter course, a pasta course, a meat course, and sweet to close. Each course will be accompanied by the estate’s 90+ Chianti and Super Tuscan wines.
Gagliole
Early afternoon will have us visiting Gagliole winery (or Castello di Radda see below). Another ancient property, now beautifully and lovingly restored. We start with a guided tour of the cellars where we’ll see how no expense has been spared for the latest in cutting edge technology. This is backed up by the know how of a highly qualified staff, perfect growing conditions, and lots and lots of care. For example: the manual sorting of each berry before crushing. Only the perfect ones are used, the rest (which many would still use) are discarded and used as compost.
Gagliole pride themselves (and rightly so) for the elegance of their wines, and you can see the reviews here. You’ll be tasting eight of their high scoring Chianti and Super Tuscan wines, and of course, you’ll be given ample time to allow your taste buds to recover between one glass and the other.
Carobbio
Carobbio is located in the Golden Valley of Panzano in Chianti, which is considered on of the best growing areas of all Chianti. A privileged geographical position, between 350 and 450 meters that brings a remarkable thermal excursion between day and night, essential to obtain wines with intense and elegant aromas.
The vines are cultivated according to the most advanced viticultural trends, meaning high density vineyards and a minimal number of clusters per plant. Harvesting is strictly manual in order to prevent damage to the grapes before they reach the cellars, and also permit the pre selection of the best clusters for the top wines.
The excellence of Carobbio wines is the result of a rigorous project, in which each vineyard has a specific role, each step is the subject of meticulous care, and every action is a precise choice.
FAQ in brief
Can I Buy Wine?
Yes of course. Price lists are placed on the table for your information, but there is no implied obligation, and you will not be asked if you wish to make a purchase. Only you can express that desire.
What is Chianti?
Chianti is a strictly regulated appellation wine. It can only be produced in central Tuscany within defined geographical boundaries. The grapes from which it’s made, aging periods, and even the flavor profile are regulated.
What’s the Difference Between Chianti & Chianti Classico?
The Chianti production area has been expanded over the years, and it’s fairly large. Chianti Classico is the wine that’s made entirely in the original and much smaller historic production zone. The wines that come from the added on zones are “just” called Chianti.
What is a Super Tuscan?
Super Tuscans are a creative approach to wine making. You might like to consider them designer wines. Apart from defining the geographic area where the grapes are grown, and where the wine is made, there are few rules. There is however an underlying concept which all reputable estates adhere to, and that’s the quest for the highest quality possible. The flavor profile tends to lean towards international tastes, and the grapes tend to be Cabernet, Merlot & Syrah.
