Chianti Wine Tasting

On the next Saturday after Amalfi Coast Maria, Janine and I went on a day trip to Chianti for some sightseeing and a fantastic lunch with some incredible wine.

Bright and early, we met with our group at the Firenze Santa Maria Novella and hopped on a bus to our first city, Greve.  A very small town in Toscana, we took a quick break from driving and stopped for caffe at a pasticceria and explored the small city with its open market.  

Maria!

Soon after, we made our way to a short hike up a hill where we saw thousands of olive trees, old tuscan huts and of course, breathtaking views.  At the very top of the hill was another little town with fresh lavender coating the exterior stone and masonry of each building.  

    

                                                     

 My loves <3

Olive Trees

We walked again a bit through town and Uniore Produttore Vine del Chianti. Basically, an Olive Oil and Wine Tasting shop with products particularly from this region; so you know it's as fresh as it can get.

Our guides, Christina and Stefano

 Wine and Olive Oil Tasting!

 Yumm :)

Now that's expensive! 

After our little hike, we hop on a regional bus and arrive in Panzano where the Sassolini Villa was located.  The Sassolini family has been best known for their wine for centuries.  We were lucky enough to be invited into their villa with a beautiful and large dining room, a roaring fire, a filling 6 course meal, a 6 different tastings of wine.  We were also able to see within their wine cellar which was actually much much smaller than I was expecting.  Our group was also able to walk through the vineyards and got a glimpse of yet another fantastic view of the rolling hills.

 This is the exact point between Firenze and Siena.

 Vineyards in the backyard. No problem.

 

Lorenzo Sassolini!

 :)

 Cantucci paired with Vin Santo, a dessert wine

A traditional Tuscan day at it's best!