Tuscany: Wine and Relaxation

Next we moved up to Tuscany region to spend sometime exploring and relaxing in the area. Are plan was to meet up with our friends and family and spend a week in a collection of farmhouses on the grounds of a 12 century castle. Most of the guests arrived on Wednesday and stayed thru till Saturday.

While in the area we arranged a group wine tour. At each stop we sampled local foods and wines. We learned about the different laws and varietals that go into making Brunello di Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Chiantis. In general italian vineyards are organic (no pesticides) and the majority of the wine produced is made in the old Italy style. The old Italy style refers to the use of large oak barrels. This is unlike the California style of making wine where winemakers use smaller oak barrels for storage. The result for italian wines are less robust / Oaky flavors.

Ah, I love wine!

The following pictures were taken by a friend who could not sleep in fear that she would miss out in an adventure. So, one restless morning she woke up early and was able to captured the morning mist around the property. I just want to go back .... it was so dreamy!