The perfect recipe? When you collaborate with friends and share your passion for a place and what you do!
In other words…spending three days in Chianti Country, Tuscany, with my friends, Arianna and Alessio, KM Zero Tours (also Friends of Victoria), and fun friends join you!
Highlights of a Memorable Weekend!
♦ Part 1 – Day One
Off we go to the lush countryside of Tuscany awash in autumn’s brilliant hues of golden yellow and red as far as the eye can see…
First a visit to the ideally situated Badia a Passignano…
It’s time to think about lunch so off we go to visit Vittorio and Fattoria di Montemorli for a visit to their vinsantaia where Vin Santo, the famous dessert wine, is produced.
And produced according to a tradition that requires patience and dedication!
⇓CLICK to Watch the Video of Vittorio!⇓
Vittorio educates us on the production of Vin Santo
We are then treated to a delicious homemade lunch (grazie, Mamma) and wine pairing followed by, of course, their Vin Santo and cantucci.
Satisfied and loving it all already, we head to a very special artisanal olive oil mill (yes, harvest is happening now!) to learn first hand from Emanuele how, at Pruneti, high quality olive oil is made. And, then a lesson on proper olive oil tasting…
At the end of our first day, we arrive at our warm and welcoming agriturismo in time to settle in and enjoy a relaxing (and yummy) homemade dinner…
♥ Perfection already…what’s on the agenda for Day Two…?
♦ Part 2 – Day Two
After a phenomenally wonderful first day, we were all very excited about Day Two!
What could sound more fun than going on a truffle hunt, then enjoying a homemade lunch featuring those same truffles and prepared by two handsome fratelli?
We arrive in Certaldo to meet Luca and then follow him into the hills where we meet his father, Luigi, and Ricciolo, his star canine truffle hunter!
We learn about truffles and the art of truffle hunting. All this time, Ricciolo is so excited and anxious to get on with it! (By the way, Ricciolo means curly!)
⇓ CLICK & Enjoy the VIDEOS of Luigi & Ricciolo!⇓
Hunting Truffles with Luigi & Ricciolo!
Once Luigi lets go of Ricciolo’s leash, he is off and we’re all scurrying to keep up! The hunt is very successful – Ricciolo finds both black and white truffles which will be featured on our luncheon menu!
We go to Certaldo Alta (the historical “upper” village) for our lunch (pranzo) prepared by brothers, Luca & Simone, at La Cucina Giuseppina (their mother’s cucina/cooking school) where they learned their culinary skills (and they learned them very well)!
They are outstanding chefs and we are treated to a delicious homemade feast featuring not only the truffles but their own new olive oil and typical local specialties…accompanied by their wine, of course! And I have to add another ingredient that added to this special meal – love and pride in what they serve!
⇓ CLICK to Enjoy Luca & Simone in the Cucina!⇓
Simone preparing our lunch with fresh olive oil
Practically waddling out, we enjoy a lovely afternoon giro (stroll) through the historic old town. Peaceful and charming…and the views!
To say it’s quaint and picturesque is an understatement!
We have one more experience on our Itinerary…and getting there takes us through vast stretches of golden hued vineyards…just spectacular!
Then, here we are and, at LONG last, I finally get to meet Lucrezia and enjoy a very long awaited experience, Opera in the Kitchen! There could not have been a more perfect “finale” for our second day!
I honestly didn’t think I could eat another bite after our sumptuous pranzo with Simone and Luca but, after our lovely stroll in Certaldo and drive through the stunning countryside, we were ready to work in the cucina and enjoy our own creations!
Picture this: a picture perfect farmhouse, a beyond delightful hostess, and the menu! Homemade pasta, mini eggplant parmesan, chicken cacciatore, fresh fennel and orange salad and a yummy torte with fresh apples and plums for dessert. All this plus a very special aperitivo with bubbly and very special “bites” prepared by Francesca! Dinner (cena) was paired with local Chianti vino (of course!!)...
Cozy, delicious, simply heavenly and the “icing on the cake”?? Surprise serenades! Jazz and opera!
⇓ CLICK for a “taste” of our musical treat! ⇓
Maria Sings Opera in Opera in Kitchen
Solo sax and arias sung by Maria that simply took our breath away…we were speechless and full in every sense of the word
♦ And Part 3 – Before saying “arriverdverci”…
On our last day before returning to Firenze, after breakfast and saying goodbye to our congenial hosts, Miranda and Maurizio, and their lovely agriturismo…
…We stopped for a little stroll and shopping (market day!) in Greve in Chianti. Greve is a quite lovely town and the weekly market in the main square quite tempting!
We loved the shopping (it’s a good thing we were on a “schedule”!) but I had another visit to the Pruneti Bottega on my mind for two reasons. I wanted to pick up more of their yummy products and…I have been wanting to try a cocktail from their unique “Oil Cocktail Bar”! (Yes, an oil cocktail bar! ) And I was able to do both!
More goodies to bring home and an excellent cocktail prepared by Sophie! I opted for the Oliveto and Pamela and Jodi chose the Spritz. Fabulous, unique and healthy, of course!
After a cin cin, we were whisked off again by Arianna and Alessio to our final and very special lunch together.
Truly a “grand finale” and a return visit that I have been looking forward to (yes, once you go, you want to return!), our hosts, i fratelli Maurizio and Cosimo, never disappoint! They always prepare an absolutely sumptuous feast! All prepared with passion and love, of course!
And I had a little surprise for them (look closely at my t-shirt!)…
Then it’s back to Firenze and our last arriverdverci to our marvelous hosts, Arianna and Alessio, and Chianti Country for now…but you can be sure I will be back!
