Etruscan Coast -

a hidden side of Tuscany, June 2018

Day 1 – Saturday June 9

PITIGLIANO, SORANO & SOVANA

We meet & depart from Florence at 9 am and we start our journey to the South of Tuscany where our first stop will be the amazingly beautiful village of Sovana, built on tufo stone. This area was inhabited by the Etruscans already 3000 yrs ago and bears clear evidence of it.

We’ll visit La Biagiola, a winery that works typical grape varieties including Alicante, Vermentino and Sangiovese. They also age some wine in Cocciopesto Amfora (first winery in Italy to do so).

In the afternoon we'll sightsee and check in to our hotel in Pitigliano and for dinner, we'll enjoy a lovely meal at a local restaurant in Pitigliano with more wine tasting. After dinner, you can enjoy free time to stroll around the idyllic village before hitting the sacks.

Activities

Wineries:

- La Biagiola (Saturday afternoon)

Other:

- Trek in the Etruscan caves (Sunday morning)

Hotel: Le Camere del Ceccotino or Locanda il Lune

Day 2 – Sunday June 10

MAGLIANO IN TOSCANA

Sunday morning put on your hiking shows. We’ll go visit the caved treks that the Etruscan carved. After a nice walk, we’ll go visit Ciliegiolo makers Sassotondo, and their Tufo cellars.

We'll have lunch on the way and arrive in Magliano in Toscana in the afternoon, a beautiful walled village that we will visit, and in the late afternoon and we’ll check into lovely farm Fattoria di Magliano where you can enjoy the later hours in the pool or trek around the vineyards.

Those who want to can enjoy a cooking class, others can relax and simply show up for dinner where we will taste the amazing wines produced by the estate.

Activities

Wineries:

- Sassotondo (Sunday morning)

- Fattoria di Magliano (Sunday afternoon)

Other:

- Cooking class

Hotel: Fattoria di Magliano

Day 3 – Monday June 11

MONTE ARGENTARIO & GIGLIO

We drive out for a day trip to the Monte Argentario half isle and start our morning visiting a small winery with amazing views over the sea. We’ll taste Ansonica wines aged in Acacia wood barrels and learn about the challenges of the territory.

Then we’ll have lunch in Porto Santo Stefano and say goodbye to the mainland, as we’ll take the local ferry over to the Isle of Giglio where Ansonica reigns. In the afternoon we’ll discover this beautiful island and its wonders.

We’ll take the last ferry back and head back to lovely Fattoria di Magliano.

Activities

Wineries:

- Capoduomo (Monday morning)

- Vigneto Altura (Monday afternoon)

Hotel: Fattoria di Magliano

Day 4 - Tuesday June 12

MASSA MARITTIMA

The next morning we can take a trekking walk to see the island and have lunch before we head back with the boat to the mainland - for we are heading into Maremma to visit super modern winery Rocca di Montemassi. Here we’ll meet Massimo who’s going to show us around and tell us about modern Tuscany, so here we will encounter the first modern take on the Coastal wines influenced by the great wines of Bordeaux.

After we head toward Moris Farms, a celebrated winery in the area, for a second winery visit and tasting.

Activities

Wineries:

- Rocca di Frasinello (Tuesday afternoon)

- Moris Farms (Tuesday afternoon, or Wednesday morning if it gets too late)

Other:

- Sightseeing

Hotel: Conti di San Bonifacio - Wine Resort OR Tenuta Casteani Wine Resort (does cooking classes) OR Valdonica

Day 5 – Wednesday June 13

ELBA

Today we head to the island of Elba for the day. Elba is where Napoleon was exiled and was another Etruscan establishment. Here we will encounter the native grape Aleatico which gives origin to a marvellous dessert wine and more. We'll visit La Chiusa winery when we arrive for a cellar tour and tasting in front of the seaside. After lunch, we head to visit the Aquaviva winery for another tasting before we head for Porto Ferrraio the main village for a quick stroll and dinner in the village of Capoliveri and then back to our lodgings in Portoferraio.

Activities

Wineries:

- Aquaviva (Wednesday afternoon)

- La Chiusa (Wednesday afternoon)

Other:

- Sightseeing

Hotel: Le Stanze del Casale B&B and B&B La Porta del Mare

Day 6 – Thursday June 14

SUVERETO

We get back on the mainland with the local ferry and visit Populonia which is an etruscan village and archeologic sight, very impressive and right on the coast. After enjoying a guided visit with a local guide, we shall grab a "panino" and head up to the region of Suvereto that has recently marked itself as a DOCG region. We'll visit a notorious winery such as Tua Rita and learn about the region from the best! In the evening we'll enjoy dinner at Guado al Re - another well-regarded winery.

Activities

Wineries:

- Tua Rita (Thursday afternoon)

- Gualdo al Re (Thursday evening)

Other:

- Sightseeing

Hotel: Gualdo del Re

Day 7 – Friday June 15

BOLGHERI

Bolgheri is the star of Coastal Tuscany, where some of the most famous wines of Tuscany are made - and we'll have all day to discover it. We'll visit 2 wineries - of which one will be either Sassicaia or Ornellaia winery, the other Le Macchiole or Grattamacco. In between we'll have a fine lunch, but we'll keep it light because in the evening we'll head for Michelin star restaurant La Pineta for our farewell dinner on the beach!

Activities

Wineries:

- Grattamacco

- Sassicaia or Ornellaia

Other:

- Sightseeing

Hotel: Locanda dell’Aioncino

Day 8 – Saturday June 16

back to Florence

We shall get back to Florence around midday where you can continue with your travels (drop-off in Pisa also possible). We can store your extra luggage in Florence during the week so we'll pick it up at the end of the tour.

*the program may be changed slightly, but the general outline is as described. A very detailed itinerary with confirmed names of wineries, restaurants & accommodation when the tour is confirmed.