UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Tuscany’s Vignamaggio Vineyards – Home of Mona Lisa

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Vignamaggio
Glorious Vignamaggio ~ Courtesy of Vignamaggio Vineyards

Vignamaggio Vineyards is steeped with fascinating history!  For starters, Monna Lisa was born in Vignamaggio, (a tiny town in northern Chianti) in the 14th century.  Leonardo da Vinci (Leonardo from Vinci) lived a few miles away.  When Leonardo painted the aristocratic daughter of Gheradini, the magnificent setting of the Vignamaggio was painted in the background.

Mona Lisa
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa

I visited Vignamaggio Vineyards on my last day in Tuscany ~ the spring weather was anything but cooperative, rainy and blustery.

Bella Vignamaggio!
Bella Vignamaggio!

Vignamaggio (translates to May Vines), is nestled in the hills between Greve and Lamole, about 45 minutes from Firenze.  Idyllic winding roads up to the estate are flanked by olive trees and hardwoods.  The smell of burning wood was in the air.

Entry to Vignamaggio
Stately entry to Vignamaggio Vineyard and Wine Resort near Greve in Chiant

After trekking up the long driveway lined with hardwood trees to the top of the hill, I was warmly greeted by the charming Sandro Checcucci, my personal wine guide and host at Vignamaggio Vineyards.  The tasting room was warm and inviting. [Read more…]

Tantalize Your Senses At Talley Vineyards

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Coastal fog envelopes Talley Vineyards in Arroyo Grande
Coastal fog envelopes Talley Vineyards in Arroyo Grande                                                                                                                                      Photo courtesy of Talley Vineyards

I have to admit, Arroyo Grande in the Central Coast near San Luis Obispo, produces some mighty fine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  The close proximity of the ocean brings the fog inland enough to cool the vines making it an ideal climate for these two varietals.

El Rincon Adobe was one of the original homes on the Rancho Santa Manuella homestead int he 1860's.
El Rincon Adobe was one of the original homes on the Rancho Santa Manuella homestead in the 1860’s.                                                                        Photo courtesy of Talley Vineyards

The Talley family bought the  fertile Arroyo Grande farmland in 1974, which included the El Rincon Adobe pictured above.  The adobe was built by Ramon Branch, one of the original settlers in the valley in the 1860’s. [Read more…]

Villa Cafaggio’s Super Tuscans Rock Panzano

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Buonvenuti a Panzano!
Benvenuti a Panzano!

My draw to the tiny hamlet of Panzano was two-fold…. one was to meet Dario Cecchini, the touted celebrity butcher featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations show, and revered by travel guru Rick Steves.  And, also to explore the many boutique wineries hidden off  the SR222, the Chianti Wine Trail.   As a point of reference, Panzano lies a few kilometers south of Greve, about 45 minutes from Firenze (Florence).

Picturesque and quiet....Panzano in Chianti
Picturesque and quiet….Panzano in Chianti

I visited over Pasqua (Easter) weekend and the weather was cool and misty, with scattered showers.  Not ideal, but with umbrella in hand, I made the best of it.  I enjoyed sitting in the village bakery with a cappuccino in hand, watching the local women scurry around town preparing for the big Pasqua family dinner.  Shop windows were lavishly decorated with giant chocolate eggs with hidden toys inside, all festively wrapped with pastel ribbons. [Read more…]

Castello di Volpaia’s Romantic Lure Is Intoxicating

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Volpaia rises high into the clouds at 2500 feet near Radda in Chianti, Tuscany.
Volpaia rises high into the clouds at over 2000 feet above sea level near Radda in Chianti, Tuscany.

Right in the heart of Chianti, five steep miles atop the highest peak, lies Volpaia, touted as one of the most romantic villages in the heart of Tuscany.  Dating back to the 11th century, this medieval borgo (village) is one of the best preserved walled villages in Italy.

Medieval curved walls add charm to the little hilltop village.
Medieval curved walls add a charm to the little hilltop village.

As was customary in the middle ages, people were named for their trade or place of origin.  In the mid-1400’s, Lorenzo della Volpaia, a mathematician, architect and skilled clockmaker, adopted the town’s name, literally meaning Lorenzo from Volpaia (Lair of the Foxes).   Della Volpaia was even said to have consulted with Leonardo da Vinci (Leonardo from Vinci) on technical projects. One of Volpaia’s most exclaimed clock works is the clock in Palazzo Vecchio in centro Florence.

Escape to Volpaia for a stay at a medieval bed and breakfast stay.
Escape to Volpaia for a medieval bed and breakfast stay.

Today, Volpaia is owned by the Stianti Mascheroni family (Father Rafaello Stianti gifted the village and winery to his daughter Gionvanella as a wedding present in 1996).   Castello di Volpaia is renowned for its wonderful wines, traditional olive oils and aromatic vinegar. [Read more…]

Start Your Sideways Wine Tour At Koehler Winery In Foxen Canyon

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Koehler Winery's vines are over 30 years old
Koehler Winery’s vines are over 30 years old, making it one of the valley’s oldest vineyards

Call me a creature of habit.  But whenever I visit Los Olivos, I make my way first to the  delightful and unpretentious Koehler Winery on the beautiful Foxen Canyon Trail.  There’s something endearing about Koehler Winery–perhaps its the peacefulness that you feel as you cross the one-lane bridge over the creek through the vineyards upon approach…

Or, perhaps it’s the baby emus that eagerly greet you at the split rail fence–a first time I’ve ever seen baby emus!

Tasting room at Koehler Winery exudes farmhouse charm
Tasting room at Koehler Winery exudes farmhouse charm

Or, maybe it’s the quaint tasting room which resembles an old farmhouse with lazy cats on the veranda…  Or maybe it’s the hearty welcome from Dan Zurleine, fondly called “Dan The Man” who runs the show and Koehler Winery‘s wine club. [Read more…]