You cannot stay in Florence without visiting one of the Tuscan wineries. For this winery tour, we did a conducted tour in a coach which was thoroughly enjoyable. We had a chatty guide with a charming Italian accent who took us to two wineries and interspersed his talks with a lot of local lore, anecdotes and banter. It was a lovely bright blue day when wispy clouds hung out in the clouds providing a lovely backdrop to a day outdoors. Tuscany is picturesque with greenery as far as the eye can see. One vineyard after another, one could see rows of vines loaded with grapes. We also got to see olive trees that this region is well known for.
Each winery owner took us through the different phases of wine making. Crushing of grapes, fermentation of grape juice, how it is matured in oak barrels and we also got to taste wines right out of the barrels.
Wines were paired with cheeses and some cured meats that provided us a quick snack. One of the winery owners also gave us a taste of extra virgin olive oil from his own olive trees. It was potent and delicious, unlike anything I had ever tasted.
After visiting both the wineries and having our fill of good wine, talk and wonderful company we were left in a quaint little Tuscan village so that we could roam around and also shop if our heart so desired. The husband and I were content to have a delicious cappuccino in a small cafe while the kids chattered on pointing to sights and people.
It was evening by the time we headed back to Florence, satisfied and happy.
Do not miss the tour to the wineries when you go to Florence. The reference for this tour came from our Airbnb hostess and this tour operator gets my thumbs up for such an enjoyable experience.
17 comments
Your posts on Italy, Tuscany especially, pull at the strings in my heart, Rachna. One day, I’ll go there. One fine day. Till then, your post it is 🙂
😀 I hope you get to experience Italy soon, Naba.
Definitely worth a visit for the wine connoisseurs! My husband would love it. He says we should plan an international trip next vacation. Let’s see if I can make it a trip to Europe 🙂
Plus, for the non-wine drinkers like me, there’s cheese so yay!
That would be lovely. Europe has so many gems that you would love to explore. Maybe you can sneak in a drink. Just one. 😛
We had a similar tour here in the US a few years back…such a lovely experience it was.
Tuscany might have a different charm to it as the place is well known for the same. Wish to follow your advice sometime soon!
Was it the Napa Valley one? G and I had done that and had thoroughly enjoyed it. Tuscany is nicer though. 🙂
I will not lie.
You had me at Tuscany and Winery.
I am sold! 😀
😀 Who wouldn’t be!
What Sid said 😀
I’m putting this on my itinerary right away! When I will take that trip will be decided later.
Great. 🙂 You will love it for sure.
A visit to a winery and that too in Tuscany…must have been a fascinating experience and getting to taste all the wine … simply cool! 😀
It was, Shilpa. The home of fantastic wines. It felt like a dream. And the wines are so cheap there.
I have never been to a winery. Your pictures make me think why I never thought about this? Do you know where Gin is manufactured? I would visit that first 😉
hehe No clue about that, Parul. I am not a gin lover. But, I am sure you will love visiting a winery. 🙂
Europe is on my travel list for the longest time now. Hopefully someday and hopefully a winery tour like this. Loved reading about your experience and the pictures are just amazing! On a side note, I didn’t know you had a travel blog too. All you big bloggers, how you manage more than one blog? 🙂
Thanks, Uma. I really hope you can travel to Europe. It’s spectacular. About the blog, it’s just passion. I really love writing and sharing stories though I am not that regular on this blog but am planning to rectify that. 🙂
I’m going to Italy soon, your blog is helping me figure out the itinerary. Thanks for sharing.