Wine touring in Tuscany sparks thoughts of idyllic rolling hills covered in vineyards, Italian villas, delicious wine and perhaps even an amazing freshly prepared lunch. My recent wine tour through Tuscany was just that. Amazing. I embarked on the small group tour at 9:30am, which in hindsight might have been a little early, since I was already onto my second glass of Chianti by 10:30! However, when in Italy, it is important to live in la dolce vita, and take in all that you can.

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The tour began at this lovely family run winery in the Tuscan hills, a mere 20 minute drive from the beautiful city of Florence. As I quickly learned, you don't have to go far from the city to feel like you are surrounded in the lush countryside. The winery had a been a former Medici Villa, and it was stunning. Even though it was a chilly November morning, it was easy to see how breathtaking this countryside can be. The owner took us for a tour of the gardens and wine cellar, finishing in their lovely kitchen, a fire already burning in the hearth. Our small group got to enjoy two delicious Chianti varieties, while pairing them with freshly baked focaccia and fresh pressed olive oil. It would be impossible not to be jovial in this homey environment!

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We continued on through the stunning Tuscan countryside. A feast for the eyes. Our second stop was a much larger, more commercially run winery. The cellar boasted many varieties, and the aroma of wine hung heavy in the air. I could feel a light buzz from just being in the cellar, which of course made the tasting all the more fun! We had the opportunity to taste 3 wines, however being a large winery, it was less about the food and wine pairing, and more about the wine itself. After the tastings and a small discussion on the varieties, we were on our way again. Number of glasses of wine before noon: 5....and counting!

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<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Passing more beautiful countryside, our final stop was just past the lovely Tuscan town of Impruneta, at the </span><a style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;" href="http://www.relaisvillaolmo.com/">Villa Relais L'Olmo</a><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">. It was nothing short of impressive! The grounds were everything one thinks of when dreaming of a Tuscan villa, complete with vineyards, a pool, and a stunning view overlooking the countryside. Their signature wine, Diadema, was both visually appealing and delicious. We were treated to an amazing, freshly prepared Italian feast in the main house. Seated by the open concept kitchen allowed us to enjoy what the chef had already prepared, as well as anticipate the next course. Being November, fresh pressed olive oil and truffles were the theme of everything we ate. And the wine! Included in the lunch was tasting of 4 different varieties, all delicious. I finished the tour feeling impressed, satisfied...and yes...a bit buzzed!</span>

Tuscany does not disappoint, and I cannot wait to go back to explore the area further. If you need any help setting up a wine tour, or tour options in Tuscany, <a href="http://www.lindsaystravels.com/contact/">contact me</a> for details!