Winesday Has Arrived!
We have arrived at the pinnacle of the trip, in my mind. We didn't go on the wine road in Dubrovnik (not that I'm still upset about it or anything) but we really were not going to miss a road trip through Tuscany! This was the one day I was looking forward to in Italy. Many hours went into planning it out to be sure I could make it to three separate sub-regions. You better bet your bottom dollar that I was successful!
We started the morning bright and early with breakfast served in the room thanks to that fantastic hotel. It was wheeled in on a cute little cart and, I'm just saying, I would like for that to happen in my apartment tomorrow.
Anyway, after breakfast, we headed off to catch the bus, which would take us to the airport, which would shuttle us to the car rental lot (do you see how seriously I planned this, yet?). We had a 10am appointment in Chianti, my goal was to be on the road by 9, but you know what they say about the best laid plans! The bus was delayed, then we had to wait ages for the shuttle, but they let us push back our appointment, so everything was okay!
We found the general location after some strife, but please, just look at it!
Our first stop was Azienda Agricola Montefioralle Winery, located in Greve. Although it was our first stop of the day, it ended up being my favorite wine - maybe even for the whole trip. The bottles themselves weren't crazy expensive, 15€-25€, and to ship 3 bottles back here it was only 23€! I only bought 3 bottles, but if I decide I want more in the future, I can just shoot them an email, tell them what I want, pay the shipping, and presto! If you are in the area, definitely stop by here!
We missed the entrance because the signage isn't flashy, but it fit with the small, cozy feel of the location.
Because we were late, we started with the tasting to make sure we had enough time! The tasting was done outside and was accompanied by a light tasting plate. I forgot to feed Prash second breakfast, so he was grateful for that tasting plate!
We enjoyed the tasting, and the view, and then made our way back to the car because next on the list was Montepulciano!
Although I sent Prash the itinerary for the day, complete with predicted driving times (several times), he was still somehow shocked that Montepulciano was 1.5 hours drive away...he was just hungry again. Halfway through the drive, we passed a Lidl, which is essentially an Aldi, so we stopped for snacks. There, in front of the $2 wine, Prash popped the question! He said, "Brittney, would you like this hot dog wrapped in a croissant?" (ha ha, no, not that question, guys!) Oddly enough, I did want that hot dog in a croissant, I still don't regret it.
Moving on! Montepulciano is absolutely gorgeous. We were driving up the side of the mountain into the town with the vistas and Prash said he wanted to have a house there. Yes, my boo wants a house in wine country! We were going to a winery right in the heart of the city, which meant parking wasn't really our friend. I read in my travel book that there were these things called Zona Traffico Limitato – ZTL, basically meaning it's a restricted zone. If you drive through this restricted zone, there will be a picture of your license plate taken (most likely) and you will find a ticket in your mailbox months later.
Prash was following the GPS directly to the winery (in the city) when I see one of those signs. I say, "Hey, I don't think you're supposed to drive there." He says, "No, it's fine, there are plenty of cars!" I managed to convince him that they had a license to be there, so he went elsewhere for parking. I can't remember why we didn't stay in the new lot, but he decides that it's actually okay to drive through the city, in spite of the signs. The streets were cobblestone and BARELY wide enough for one car. For the second time in 2 days, we got stink eyes from just about everyone we passed. I was supposed to be navigating, but I was panicking because we were breaking rules, and it got real tense up in the VW Golf there for a minute. Once we were out of the city, after what felt like an hour, it was maybe 10 minutes max, and parked in an approved lot, and I could breathe, everyone calmed down. Everyone, that is, except for the Mancub, who then googled what a Zona Traffico Limitato was and then started stressing. We have yet to see a ticket in the mail, so we might be good!
We were going to Cantina De'Ricci, which was on the opposite side of town from where we parked. No big deal, I was enjoying the sights while he was still googling the likelihood of a ticket. Again, we're still good! The town itself was really cool and the architecture was very old. Aside from the traffic issues, this was still my favorite town. It had the most character and the fewest tourists!
The winery boasted a wine cave. Because I was still salty that I didn't get to do a tasting the wine cave in Croatia, this was a definite must. There was a self-guided tour that starts with many, many stairs down into the center of the earth.
The cellar was full of giant vats of wine and all I wanted to do was hug them because they were filled with happiness!
The wine was okay - I didn't buy a bottle. Here, the experience definitely outweighed the wine, in my opinion. But, everyone has their own tastes, so check it out if you're in Montepulciano! Just beware of the traffic zones.
Once back in the car, we were on our way to our final stop of the day, Montalcino, to taste some delicious Brunello!
The final vineyard was recommended by my book, it was Ciacci Piccolomini D'Aragona di Bianchini - and gorgeous. We didn't arrive in time to do a tour and formal tasting at this one, that takes about 2 hours. But, you can always taste by the glass at the wine bar! Typically, if you buy a bottle, the tasting is free, or so I was told.
To get here, there was something Google Maps neglected to mention. We had to drive down a dirt road for approximately 6-10km. I was pretty sure it wasn't right, but I had faith that it actually was! Surprise! It was right. We made it and it was worth the drive.
The wines here were really good! I especially liked the Brunello. That is completely ignoring the fact that I read on the internet that it pairs perfectly with Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. Yes, I did buy a bottle of it, and yes, there is a box of Thin Mints in my pantry waiting for me to uncork it. Plus, this was the view from the tasting room. The hostess who did the tasting was so kind and welcoming! She joked that they had magic glasses that just kept refilling. Anyone who knows me, knows that's my kind of place!
After leaving, we had a 2-hour drive back to Florence to drop off the rental car. We drove past some vines (are you shocked?) and decided to take pictures like we did in Croatia! Except with more clothes...because instead of July on an island after swimming in the sea, it was March in a relatively cold climate.
The sun went down and by the time we dropped off the car and caught the shuttle back to the airport, we had missed the shuttle - next one in an hour. So, we caught a taxi to the town, but he couldn't drive into the town, so he dropped us at the train station and we walked from there. While walking, it started raining. So, to paint a picture for you guys, I was tired, starving, super sick, and getting rained on. Basically, I was an absolute delight to be around.
We had dinner at an osteria about a block away from our hotel. Yelp said it was decent, we both found the waitstaff pretty rude and I don't even care to remember the name. I had to work really hard to bring glory back to osterias.
After diner, that's when the magic happened. We went to get gelato at a shop right beside the Duomo. I am pretty impartial to gelato. It tastes good, but I'm okay without. However, when Prash shovelled a spoonful of that Pistachio Gelato in my mouth, I actually shouted, "OH HOLY DAMN!". I'm thinking about that gelato right now, and I'm real sad that it's not in my mouth. I'm pretty sure it was Le Botteghe Di Donatello, literally right beside the Duomo. If you are there, you must go.
Okay, that's all for Winesday! It was magical. Stay tuned - Rome is up next!
We started the morning bright and early with breakfast served in the room thanks to that fantastic hotel. It was wheeled in on a cute little cart and, I'm just saying, I would like for that to happen in my apartment tomorrow.
Anyway, after breakfast, we headed off to catch the bus, which would take us to the airport, which would shuttle us to the car rental lot (do you see how seriously I planned this, yet?). We had a 10am appointment in Chianti, my goal was to be on the road by 9, but you know what they say about the best laid plans! The bus was delayed, then we had to wait ages for the shuttle, but they let us push back our appointment, so everything was okay!
We found the general location after some strife, but please, just look at it!
 |
| This is the sign. |
Our first stop was Azienda Agricola Montefioralle Winery, located in Greve. Although it was our first stop of the day, it ended up being my favorite wine - maybe even for the whole trip. The bottles themselves weren't crazy expensive, 15€-25€, and to ship 3 bottles back here it was only 23€! I only bought 3 bottles, but if I decide I want more in the future, I can just shoot them an email, tell them what I want, pay the shipping, and presto! If you are in the area, definitely stop by here!
We missed the entrance because the signage isn't flashy, but it fit with the small, cozy feel of the location.
Because we were late, we started with the tasting to make sure we had enough time! The tasting was done outside and was accompanied by a light tasting plate. I forgot to feed Prash second breakfast, so he was grateful for that tasting plate!
We enjoyed the tasting, and the view, and then made our way back to the car because next on the list was Montepulciano!
Although I sent Prash the itinerary for the day, complete with predicted driving times (several times), he was still somehow shocked that Montepulciano was 1.5 hours drive away...he was just hungry again. Halfway through the drive, we passed a Lidl, which is essentially an Aldi, so we stopped for snacks. There, in front of the $2 wine, Prash popped the question! He said, "Brittney, would you like this hot dog wrapped in a croissant?" (ha ha, no, not that question, guys!) Oddly enough, I did want that hot dog in a croissant, I still don't regret it.
Moving on! Montepulciano is absolutely gorgeous. We were driving up the side of the mountain into the town with the vistas and Prash said he wanted to have a house there. Yes, my boo wants a house in wine country! We were going to a winery right in the heart of the city, which meant parking wasn't really our friend. I read in my travel book that there were these things called Zona Traffico Limitato – ZTL, basically meaning it's a restricted zone. If you drive through this restricted zone, there will be a picture of your license plate taken (most likely) and you will find a ticket in your mailbox months later.
Prash was following the GPS directly to the winery (in the city) when I see one of those signs. I say, "Hey, I don't think you're supposed to drive there." He says, "No, it's fine, there are plenty of cars!" I managed to convince him that they had a license to be there, so he went elsewhere for parking. I can't remember why we didn't stay in the new lot, but he decides that it's actually okay to drive through the city, in spite of the signs. The streets were cobblestone and BARELY wide enough for one car. For the second time in 2 days, we got stink eyes from just about everyone we passed. I was supposed to be navigating, but I was panicking because we were breaking rules, and it got real tense up in the VW Golf there for a minute. Once we were out of the city, after what felt like an hour, it was maybe 10 minutes max, and parked in an approved lot, and I could breathe, everyone calmed down. Everyone, that is, except for the Mancub, who then googled what a Zona Traffico Limitato was and then started stressing. We have yet to see a ticket in the mail, so we might be good!
We were going to Cantina De'Ricci, which was on the opposite side of town from where we parked. No big deal, I was enjoying the sights while he was still googling the likelihood of a ticket. Again, we're still good! The town itself was really cool and the architecture was very old. Aside from the traffic issues, this was still my favorite town. It had the most character and the fewest tourists!The winery boasted a wine cave. Because I was still salty that I didn't get to do a tasting the wine cave in Croatia, this was a definite must. There was a self-guided tour that starts with many, many stairs down into the center of the earth.
The cellar was full of giant vats of wine and all I wanted to do was hug them because they were filled with happiness!The wine was okay - I didn't buy a bottle. Here, the experience definitely outweighed the wine, in my opinion. But, everyone has their own tastes, so check it out if you're in Montepulciano! Just beware of the traffic zones.
 |
| Look how happy it made me! |
The final vineyard was recommended by my book, it was Ciacci Piccolomini D'Aragona di Bianchini - and gorgeous. We didn't arrive in time to do a tour and formal tasting at this one, that takes about 2 hours. But, you can always taste by the glass at the wine bar! Typically, if you buy a bottle, the tasting is free, or so I was told.
To get here, there was something Google Maps neglected to mention. We had to drive down a dirt road for approximately 6-10km. I was pretty sure it wasn't right, but I had faith that it actually was! Surprise! It was right. We made it and it was worth the drive.
The wines here were really good! I especially liked the Brunello. That is completely ignoring the fact that I read on the internet that it pairs perfectly with Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies. Yes, I did buy a bottle of it, and yes, there is a box of Thin Mints in my pantry waiting for me to uncork it. Plus, this was the view from the tasting room. The hostess who did the tasting was so kind and welcoming! She joked that they had magic glasses that just kept refilling. Anyone who knows me, knows that's my kind of place!
After leaving, we had a 2-hour drive back to Florence to drop off the rental car. We drove past some vines (are you shocked?) and decided to take pictures like we did in Croatia! Except with more clothes...because instead of July on an island after swimming in the sea, it was March in a relatively cold climate. The sun went down and by the time we dropped off the car and caught the shuttle back to the airport, we had missed the shuttle - next one in an hour. So, we caught a taxi to the town, but he couldn't drive into the town, so he dropped us at the train station and we walked from there. While walking, it started raining. So, to paint a picture for you guys, I was tired, starving, super sick, and getting rained on. Basically, I was an absolute delight to be around.
We had dinner at an osteria about a block away from our hotel. Yelp said it was decent, we both found the waitstaff pretty rude and I don't even care to remember the name. I had to work really hard to bring glory back to osterias.
After diner, that's when the magic happened. We went to get gelato at a shop right beside the Duomo. I am pretty impartial to gelato. It tastes good, but I'm okay without. However, when Prash shovelled a spoonful of that Pistachio Gelato in my mouth, I actually shouted, "OH HOLY DAMN!". I'm thinking about that gelato right now, and I'm real sad that it's not in my mouth. I'm pretty sure it was Le Botteghe Di Donatello, literally right beside the Duomo. If you are there, you must go.
Okay, that's all for Winesday! It was magical. Stay tuned - Rome is up next!
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