La Locanda del Prete is a small Bed and Breakfast, owned and operated by the Innocenti family and located in Arcidosso, in the province of Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy. This is an authentic Italian country inn, a place where locals as well as visitors, gather to eat, share a glass of wine or grappa (a digestive aperitif) and chat.
Your host and wine leader (fluent in English), a native son of Tuscany, sommelier in training of fine Italian wines and master chef specializing in "La Cucina Povera Toscana", will accompany you on your journey along Tuscany's famous "Road of Wines" where you will discover the finest wine estates and sommeliers and learn the art of wine-food pairings (three visits and tastings daily). You will also experience quaint family run cellars for tastings and be immersed in the countryside of Southern Tuscany and also help you learn the basics of wine pairings, the “must-have knowledge” for any good host or hostess! Meals will be planned according to the days wine selections, from antipasto right up to desserts.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Transfer from Grosseto to Arcidosso. We will meet you in Grosseto which is easily accessible from Rome or Florence. Upon arrival at the Grosseto train station, you will be accompanied by car or van to the village of Arcidosso and then welcomed at La Locanda del Prete B&B. After settling in, your host and chef, Carlo will show you around and explain the week’s program! Then you can either relax in the garden or take a walk through the enchanting streets of Arcidosso. For dinner you will enjoy a Tuscan meal prepared by Carlo.
Day 2: Montepulciano. Visit the magnificent town of Montepulciano with architectural masterpieces by Rossellini, and then enjoy its wines including Nobile di Montepulciano at 2 private wine cellars (late morning and afternoon) for tastings. Lunch will be in a local trattoria with Romeo who will discuss all wines in detail and teach "wine-pairing" (how to match these local wines with different foods). Dinner at La Locanda del Prete.
Day 3: Morellino di Scansano. You will go a tour through the region known as "La Maremma" which is known for its Etruscan culture and proximity to the stunning seaside of Southern Tuscany. There will be a late morning wine tasting in a quaint private wine cellar followed by lunch at a local trattoria. During lunch Romeo will talk about wine-food pairing. Later in the afternoon, there will be a second wine tasting at a family run winery. Dinner at La Locanda del Prete.
Day 4: The hills of Siena and the Chianti. Heading North towards the heart of Tuscany, Chianti will be the days focus. Again, there will be a total of two distinct wine tastings at different locations. Starting with a warm-up tasting at a smaller unique wine cellar, you will then enjoy lunch at a local trattoria. Afterwards, you will proceed for a tasting featuring the best of Chianti Antinori - perhaps Tuscany's most celebrated wine and wine family. Dinner at La Locanda del Prete.
Day 5: Montalcino. Romeo will take you to this very special Brunello wine town where he was married. It is a stunning classic Tuscan fortress town with a striking castle. The tastings of the day (two total) will center on the granddaddy of them all, Brunello, as well as, the "Rosso di Montalcino". Lunch will feature a multi-course Tuscan meal at a local trattoria. Dinner at La Locanda del Prete.
Day 6: Mediterranean Seaside-Ansonica di Monte Argentario. For your last day, you will get to experience the finest seaside villages Tuscany has to offer (Porto S. Stefano, Porto Ercole and Talamone). The seafood cuisine here is delicious to the point that no words can describe. Naturally, after yesterday’s red wine tastings, today’s accompanying seafood wines shall be white. Perhaps try a Vernaccia, Greco del Tufo or let Romeo make his on-the-spot finest recommendation. The one wine you will certainly be tasting (two tastings total) is known as "Ansonica di Monte Argentario".
Many wealthy Italians, especially the super wealthy, crave hideaways, and this is for them. Exactly 150 km north of Rome, Argentario is an Italian version of the American Martha's Vineyard, but with better food and older money. Just three small strips of land, one of them a 7 km long nature preserve, connect the 6,000 hectare mountain to the mainland. Spain controlled Monte Argentario in the 16th century and built an imposing series of stone fortresses and lookout towers along the Mediterranean water. Some of them have been converted into classy homes and apartments: solid dwellings for a solid crowd. Dinner at La Locanda del Prete.
Day 7: Departure. Transfer to Grosseto.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices shown are per person double occupancy rates. There is a $350 - $450 Single Occupancy Surcharge.
Price Includes:
- 5 nights accommodations at La Locanda del Prete, outside the small village of Arcidosso, province of Grosseto
- All breakfasts and dinners as indicated in the itinerary
- Small groups: 4 to 12 people
- 8 wine tastings as indicated in the itinerary
- Daily guided excursions to the enchanting towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino and (home of the Vino Nobile & Brunello wines); Scansano (known for Morellino wine) and the hills of Siena (where you will visit the Chianti wine region)
- All transportation (including transfers to and from Grosseto).
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