You drive up the Cyprus lined lane and take a deep breath of air that’s been delicately perfumed with wild lavender. Up on the hill, you spot a beautifully restored 12th Century farmhouse surrounded by the glorious, rolling landscape of Chianti Classico in Tuscany. It’s here, at La Petraia that your hosts Susan McKenna Grant and her husband Michael Grant will greet you at their luxury agriturismo for a behind-the-scenes tour of their property and for a hand-crafted lunch prepared by Susan herself. The best part? All of the food you enjoy comes straight from La Petraia’s biodynamic gardens. You’re in for a treat and the culinary delights have just begun with Bon Vivant’s Flavours of Tuscany tour.
For those that want to get their hands literally in the pasta, you have ample opportunity to flex your kitchen muscle with chef and author Judy Witts Francini who will teach you Tuscan staples at her cooking school in the medieval town of Colle Val D’Elsa. After mastering the art of making hand-rolled pasta, meat dishes and dessert, you sit down to a sumptuous meal accompanied by perfectly paired Tuscan wines.
The gourmands and culinary historians in the group will appreciate a visit to the Giusti family’s Gran Deposito Aceto Balsamico di Modena Giuseppe Giusti in Emilia Romagna. Bon Vivants will be guided through the gran deposito of arguably one of the world’s best Balsamic Vinegars by the charming Claudio Stefani himself- a 17th generation descendant of Giuseppe Giusti who started the family business. In fact, his family is credited with being the first to record the balsamic vinegar recipe in history and it doesn’t hurt that these vinegars are also listed in the book “101 Things to Buy Before You Die.” And since the Flavours of Tuscany tour is about giving travelers an intimate taste of the culinary landscape in that part of Italy, the group will head over to the Locanda delle Quattro Stagioni for a bespoke lunch featuring Giusti’s various balsamic vinegars.
Wine lovers have much to look forward to as well, because on this tour, you’ll head to Tolaini Winery Estate in Chianti Classico, helmed by Tuscan Pierluigi Tolaini. Here, you’ll taste his much-lauded wines, explore the cellar, the vineyards and be treated to a beautiful Tuscan meal under the stars.
Flavours of Tuscany also proudly offers a boat excursion in Cinque Terre, an English-speaking guide in Rome, cheese and candy factory visits, exceptional lodging and most meals. All you have to do is wear comfortable walking shoes, bring your camera and your buon appetito! For itinerary and tour details, http://bit.ly/qtXYMR
