The Chianti Classico wine region is truly the heart of Tuscany and produces one of Italy’s most important red wines. Either in your own rental car, or with a private vehicle and licensed driver, we will spend a day exploring the countryside just 30 minutes from the center of Florence. We will make our way on a leisurely drive through the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany and past cypress-lined driveways as I recount the history and legends of this famed land. At our first stop, a beautiful and welcoming Chianti winery, our hosts will be waiting for us, and will provide a guided winery visit during which you will learn how Chianti Classico is made. Now it is time for a tasting of their signature wines and if you are interested, you can try their flavorful extra virgin olive oil drizzled on a piece of crusty Tuscan bread.

There are two charming Chianti villages that I highly recommend to see during this tour: either Greve in Chianti or Castellina in Chianti. I will give you a guided tour of the town of your choice, showing you interesting sites and shops filled with local products. Besides wine and olive oil, this area is also well known for its production of salt-cured meats, pecorino sheep cheese and honey. For lunch, you can let me know if you would prefer a sit-down meal to try the typical local dishes, or something light and quick like a local gourmet panino or even a Michelin star restaurant. In the afternoon, I will have pre-arranged another winery visit where you can keep deepening your knowledge of the local wines and of course tasting them to compare! I am happy to assist with any wine purchases you would like to make and we can stop at picturesque overlooks on our way back to Florence, perhaps even Piazzale Michelangelo for a stunning view over the rooftops, Brunelleschi’s dome, and the Arno River.