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I Am Very Excited About the Atlanta Wine School's September Wine Tour

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I Am Very Excited About the Atlanta Wine School's September Wine Tour Page 1 of 8 EPICUREAN LUXURY IN SOUTHERN TUSCANY AND UMBRIA O c t o b e r 5 th T h r o u g h O c t o b e r 1 2 th, 2 0 1 9 Italy is the second largest wine producer in the world after France! This means there is literally something for every oenophile in Italy - a vast array of reds, a variety of whites, sparkling wine even Vin Santo. The long-lasting culinary traditions and history are so compelling. We will experience all this and more in southern Tuscany and Umbria! TRIP ITINERARY D A Y 1 Meet i n R o m e 12:00am Vino Venue will provide transportation from the Rome Fiumincino airport on this day only. 2:00pm On our way to our villa we will stop off at Fattoria Pianporcino. This is an artisanal cheese producer. We will enjoy a tour and tasting with a lite, late lunch of caprese with primo sale and tomatoes, pecorino cheese, charcuterie, typical Tuscan bread, salad, Red D.O.C. Orcia wine and ricotta with sugar for dessert. 4:30pm Back on the bus. We’ll make a short stop at a grocery to pick up any necessary supplies for the villa (snacks, soft drinks, liquor and beer). We’ll arrive at our villa, get unpacked, kick the shoes off and grab a cocktail. Villa Rombolino is our home away from home for the next week. Perched atop a gentile hill, located right in the Unesco region of Val d’Orcia, Rombolino delights with a professional kitchen, stunning views, heated Page 2 of 8 infinity pool, and only 30 minutes to either Montepulciano or Montalcino. The estate also produces extra virgin olive oil and seasonal produce from the vegetable garden and orchards, including various jams and honey, complimentary to us! 7:30pm Welcome Reception as we watch the sun slowly slide down the horizon. 8:00pm Giovanna, our personal cook for the week, will make us dinner. We’ll dine al fresco, weather permitting. D A Y 2 O r v i e t o Yumm! Giovanna’s homemade breakfasts! Ask her for an occhio di bue (sunny side up farm egg!)! 8:00am Bus departure. Today we introduce you to Umbria and to Chef Lorenzo Polegri. Lorenzo is longtime friend of Vino Venue and the Bryans, an amazing Chef and ambassador to all that is Italian, especially Umbrian cuisine. 9:30am We will enjoy a walking tour through the medieval walled village of Orvieto. Our tour will include the Duomo, Signorelli Frescoes, Torre del Moro and some shopping! Next is our cooking class with Lorenzo. Our lessons will include bread and pizza making and Pici, the local famous pasta, with other Umbrian dishes. Lorenzo’s love of life and cooking will inspire you to try these techniques on your family and friends back home. Of course, the wine will be flowing before, during and through the meal. 4:30pm Depart for Casa Segreta, Lorenzo’s home. He is opening up his lovely villa for us to relax, view his vineyards and the serenity that abounds. We will see how harvest went, and sip some of his delicious wines. It might even be olive oil pressing time and an opportunity to observe. 7:30pm Lorenzo will ply us with more food, an Italian style BBQ! 9:30pm Depart for Villa Page 3 of 8 D A Y 3 B alsamic and Brunello An espresso or cappuccino today? 10:30am Depart the villa for Castello Banfi. At over 7,000 acres, and American-owned, Castello Banfi is an Italian icon. After a brief stroll on the grounds, we’ll have a tour of the Glass Museum, the foremost collection of antique glass in the world. Next we’ll sample and tour the Balsameria, where Banfi produces their succulent Salsa Etrusca (12-year Balsamic Vinegar). Then we will enjoy a multi- course lunch. Molto Bene!! 2:45pm Depart for Argiano for a tour and tasting. This will be our opportunity to enjoy Brunello di Montalcino, one of the world's most famous red wines. Argiano has a long tradition, since 1888, of producing world class Brunellos. They have one of the oldest caves in the region, from the 16th century. Castello Argiano was at one time an important Roman military outpost. 6:00pm Depart for villa 7:30pm Reception and dinner by chef Roberto Crocenzi at the villa. D A Y 4 Truffle Hunting Day! 9:00am Depart our villa for truffle hunting and a picnic lunch. Please bring a pair of closed toe shoes for our truffle hunt and be prepared for a delicious roasted pork (Porchetta) picnic lunch with our guide and truffle hunter. After lunch we will drive to Montalcino. The town is situated on a hilltop, and known for its timeless character, with narrow steep streets that wind up to the Fortezza. The impressive ramparts from 1571 are where you can enjoy the amazing view from the walkways. There you will find the Enoteca Fortezza. Be sure to ask about the stairway that leads to the ramparts for an incredible view of Montalcino and surrounding area. The Enoteca offers free shipping of a case of wine, mixed and matched and shared with friends!! Ask for Tina, she is our contact and works from the office. 4:00pm We’re off to Casanova di Neri for a tour and tasting. This winery is distinguished by their 2001 Brunello, ranking #1 among the world’s wines in 2006! And the 2010 earned 100 points. 6:00pm Depart for Osteria Porcellum for dinner. The restaurant is located in Bagno Vignoni, home of 16th century bath and hot springs. The landscape of Val d'Orcia is in view as we enjoy local delicacies. 8:30pm Depart for our villa. Page 4 of 8 D A Y 5 M o r e M ontepulciano 11:00am Depart for Avignonesi, renowned for their Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine. This top producer makes reds, whites, sweet wines (Vin Santo!), different Grappas, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. After a tour, we’ll enjoy a fantastic lunch. 3:30pm Depart Avignonesi for a leisurely afternoon by the pool!! 8:00pm Dinner with Giovanna. D A Y 6 Montepulciano 9:00am Depart for Tenuta Valdipiatta for our tour and tasting that will include their olive oil. This is a boutique winery where we’ll taste the famed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines. 11:00am Now we’re off to discover the town of Montelpuciano, which stands on a hill 600 meters above sea level. Rich with history, art and culture co-exist in an agricultural landscape of vineyards and olive groves here. A place of beauty and goodness, Montepulciano is an artist’s jewel set on a hill surrounded by green vineyards. The center of the Tuscan Renaissance, this town is steeped in culture, art, and architecture. In the 17th century Vine Nobile wine was referred to as the ‘Bacchus of Tuscany,’ the most important Tuscan red wine— even ahead of Brunello and Chianti for 300 years. We will hit the market where we can pick up a few items for our Vino Villa Cook Off! 1:00pm We will meet Susanna Crociani and tour her 14th century cellar. Susanna is the lively, warm-hearted ambassador of not only her family's brand, but all things Montepulciano. Susanna inherited the winemaking from her brother, who did so from his Father, and so on. We will lunch with Susanna which will undoubtedly include her own pecorino cheese, her own salami, and her estate olive oil. As well as her wines of course! 3:00pm Depart for villa and enjoy a relaxing afternoon “Dolce far Niente” the sweetness of doing nothing!! 5:00pm This is “make our own dinner night” AKA the Vino Villa Cook Off! This is a perfect time to open any wines you have obtained thus far. Page 5 of 8 DAY 7 Relaxation! A Day Off! Spend the day hanging out at the villa, get packed and join us at 1pm for Giovanna’s pizza. Then take a snooze or relax by the pool. For those of you would like a shopping trip or perhaps to see Pope’s Gardens, these excursions can be arranged. Please inquire about the options and associated costs. 7:00pm Meet at the pool for appetizers and our last Tuscan sunset. 8:00pm Finale dinner! DAY 8 H ead Home or Extend Your Stay! Guests please have your luggage ready by 4:30am to begin to load the bus. We depart by 5:00am for Rome Fiumincino Airport! P r i c e $4299 double occupancy PLUS travel insurance. $4999 single occupancy PLUS travel insurance. Travel insurance is required. Insurance will be quoted on a case by case basis and provided through by Vino Venue. Travel insurance estimate is $250-350 per person. Y o u r I t a l i a n Experience Will Include ✓ Transfers to/from Rome Fiumicino Airport ✓ All Ground Transportation during stay ✓ Vino Venue Sommelier Wine Host ✓ (7) Nights Luxury Accommodations ✓ Private Chef & Cooking Classes ✓ Course guide, cookbook of all recipes, an apron and chef’s jacket ✓ All scheduled off-site tours ✓ Seven (7) breakfasts, lunches, dinners ✓ Travel insurance NOT INCLUDED ⬧ Airfare Debbie Ruskin will be happy to help with any pre-trip or post-trip travel plans. [email protected]. Page 6 of 8 Luggage Traveler should pack so that you may transport your own Terms & Conditions from Vino Venue luggage as required to and from the bus and into our accommodations.
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