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A Journey to Wineries in Tuscany
Creating memories of a lifetime!
When our client and her son finished their month-long Grand Tour of Europe
in celebration of his university graduation, they rented a villa in Tuscany for two weeks and invited family and friends to come visit. Among those who accepted was our client’s brother who is a wine connoisseur and was eager to explore Tuscany’s wineries and deepen his already extensive knowledge of wines and wine production. We planned a series of day trips for them, including two trips to wineries — a Day in Chianti
and a Visit to Bolgheri Country. Our favorite Tuscan driver Vieri drove them so they would not have to worry about wine consumption and navigating twisting country roads. He added immensely to their appreciation of the day with his extensive knowledge of the region, its history and its wineries.
The Day in Chianti
included a tour of Antinori’s new wine making facility in Bargino that is first and foremost an astonishing example of the marriage of function, architecture, history and respect of nature. Antinori is the granddaddy of wine producers, having started to produce wine in 1385. Throughout the succeeding 26 generations they have become revered masters of wine-making. Theirs is more than wine production. It is a way of life, a philosophy, including respect for the land, for its traditions, and for innovation using modern research and technology that stays true to that tradition. The description of their process, developed over centuries, will bring you closer to the Tuscan culture that is closely tied to its land and its products. Nobody knows it or does it better. Touring their cellars gives one a deeper understanding of this way of life that has endured for centuries and what it takes to sustain the way of life, not to mention a greater appreciation of the wine that they produce. The picture above is of the Antinori cellar in Bargino.
They then visited Osteria di Passignano for lunch and a tour, another glimpse into the history and culture of Tuscany where monks and monasteries have been guarding local traditions for centuries. And Tuscany’s food culture is as integral to the Tuscan character as the cultivation of grapes and making of wine. At Passignano they had some of the very best Tuscany has to offer—countryside, food, wine, atmosphere. It’s a step back in time. And a trip into the heart of Tuscan culture.
After lunch they drove to Volpaia, past quintessential Chianti countryside, with its Etruscan hilltop towns like Panzano and past Radda in Chianti that feels tucked away into the woods. Volpaia is another piece of the history of wine making that is so central to the Tuscan way of life. And seeing another producer whose end objective is the same – wine and agricultural products –added a dimension to their understanding of an activity that is essential to the Tuscan economy. Each establishment has its secrets, its own production, and its pride of place in a now ancient way of life.
The road back to their villa in Chianti took them on the renowned Chiantigiana, a road remarkable for its quintessential Chianti countryside of vineyards, olive groves, cultivated fields, Cyprus trees, case coloniche or old farmhouses, little forests, and occasional grazing sheep and goats.
A Visit to Bolgheri Country
Their visit to Bolgheri Country
was a special occasion, whether or not one is particularly interested in wine making. Open very selectively to visitors, Ornellaia
itself is worth the trip. And the route they took through Maremma introduced them to a completely different landscape, along the Tyrrhenian coast, past Livorno and Vada and Cecina and a little on the coast road to Ornellaia. Different traditions. Different vegetation. Different Tuscan character. Different way of life, although also tied to wine making and agriculture. And a history tied more to the sea than the wars between Florence and Siena, although not disconnected to that history.
On the way home they made a quick little side trip to the charming little port of San Vicenzo, just down the road from Ornellaia, where they could dip their toes in the Tyrrhenian sea and enjoy a superb gelato in the picturesque little seaport town before returning to their villa.
Everyone was very pleased with the visits, even those who would not identify themselves as wine enthusiasts. But what delighted us is that four years later, our client’s brother still remembers those visits and recently commented: “Volpaia tops “Highly Recommended” and Antinori’s Solaia (of which I brought home a bottle from an earlier vintage) tops the “Collectibles”. Pretty Amazing! You have to hand it to Barbara, Anne, and Vieri for bringing us to such absolutely top wineries for such great experiences!”
His sister added “Given how many of the top vineyards my brother has visited, it thrills me that our trip was able to introduce him to some of these spectacular wines and vineyards. Many thanks to you all.”
His sister added “Given how many of the top vineyards my brother has visited, it thrills me that our trip was able to introduce him to some of these spectacular wines and vineyards. Many thanks to you all.”
That those memories live on is our greatest reward and greatest satisfaction!
Let us help you build memories of a lifetime!
It’s what we do. Well.
From Anne & Barbara
What a year! Our busiest yet!!
We discovered that everyone was really ready to travel in 2022!!
Celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary
It's been a long two years of not going anywhere...time to get going!
Ringing out the old year, ringing in the new!
It is almost too strong to resist, this itching to go! We not only agree and encourage your dreaming of your next trip, but are here and ready to help you plan it! It's never too early to start planning. And while regulations will be shifting for some time to come, it is good to be and stay informed about what is possible and what not at the destination you have in mind. Are hotels and restaurants open? Museums? Workshops and other activities? Are guides available to deepen your understanding of what you are seeing? Can one move from one part of the country to another without encountering obstacles? What kind of protections can be built into your trip in case of cancellation or interruption? The situation in Europe is very slow to improve. While England is beginning to open up, the rest of us are behind in vaccine rollout and openings. In Italy, for example, at the moment in orange zones you can eat in a restaurant at lunchtime but only take out is available at dinner, and there is a 10pm curfew in place at least until the end of April. Pressure is building on the Italian government to open more quickly, but given the slow momentum of the vaccine rollout and the explosion of variants, it is questionable how safe further openings are.
Sharing artworks created by our clients from their journeys.
2021 is upon us! We longed for it, we waited for it, seemingly endlessly, and here it is! Uncertainties still abound, but new hope is in the air. Time to PLAN!!!! What new adventures would you like to undertake this year? Where would you like to travel…first? …second? Are you ready to think about traveling in the fall of 2021? Planning is a more active pursuit than dreaming. We all did that in 2020. It’s such a therapeutic activity. But planning, if you want to travel in 2021, is more essential than ever. Venues will open slowly, perhaps limited in capacity. Forethought, reservations, calculations, leaving room for improvisation and regrouping are imperative to be sure that your journey is as memorable as you envision. We’re here. We are eager to help you realize your dreams. It’s what we do. Well. Happy, healthy, joyous new year to all!!! We deserve to realize the hope it brings. And to venture forth on the promised adventures!!
December, 2020 Dear Friends, The year 2020 is not one many of us wish to remember in detail. We have struggled individually and collectively with many issues, some urgently life-threatening or emotionally devastating. So to adopt a cheery, devil-may-care attitude looking back over this unprecedented time seems utterly inappropriate. But we have individually and collectively accomplished things in this period that are worth remembering. Here at Cornucopia Journeys we launched our new web site last March — exquisite timing, to be sure! The new site includes a Journal that gives us time and space to reflect on journeys we have planned or taken or might take, experiences awaiting us, and reflections on moments and people that are worth remembering. So instead of highlighting the journeys people took in 2020 — and of course, there were none this year — we are offering this year’s Journal stories for your perusal, to visit or revisit as your time and inclination may allow. Just click on one below and enjoy. And please note, we are always looking for new topics that might interest you, so please let us know your suggestions for future posts. You know how to reach us! We look forward to "seeing" you in the new year and to helping some of you create new adventures. Remember, it's never too early to start planning! And it's never too late to ask for a helping hand. As we all begin to look forward to a future without Covid, we are eager to help you expand your horizons! It's what we do. Well. Our very best, from our hearts to your homes, Barbara & Anne
