Finally we are off to Tuscany and San Gimignano - Chianti Time

Has everyone seen "Under the Tuscan Sun", well if you haven't you should and if you have you definitely want to visit Tuscany.  Our tour guide said it caused an explosion in tourism to Tuscany.  Today we took a private tour out to the countryside with stops at 2 wineries and San Gimignano, that is the town off in the distance in the picture above.   Needless to say we are all super excited and our driver "Ilaria" from Fun in Tuscany Chianti Wine Tours is amazing.  Funny and so knowledgeable, it is going to be a great day.  

Just an hour outside of Florence is the beautiful Fattoria Poggio-Alloro (Bay Leaf Hills)  our first stop.  After a tour of the winery, we enjoy some appetizers and a tasting of their beautiful wines while overlooking the amazing wine fields and San Gimignano.  Yes it is only 11 am.  A great way to start the day.

 Along side their grapes are their amazing olive groves. 

Is there anything better than some amazing local cheese, fresh olives and a wee sampling of their organic wines to start the day.  The sun is shining and our cheeks are starting to glow. 

 Nothing better than popping into their local store for some treasures to bring home (at least back to Florence).  The olive oil made it home, the wine was drank. 

 This is the famous Tuscan cows - The Chianina, served best rare with a nice bottle of Chianti.  This farm and area is also famous for their saffron which flowers in November and is known as the "gold of San Gimignano.  Would love to come back here and do one of their cooking classes with all fresh grown products, while sipping their wine of course. 

Next stop San Gimignano, still haven't figured out how to pronounce it.  It is known as the "Town of Fine Towers.  It is a true walled hill town, so be prepared for lots of ups and downs.  There are 14 towers still standing out of a total of 72 in its heyday.  These were all owned by the patrician families, who each tried to build the biggest tower.  Even back then rules were put into place to maintain the integrity and beauty of the town and surrounding countryside.  360 degrees around the town are wineries, saffron fields, and the most beautiful countryside. 

 Oh yes, after all those hills we had to stop for a gelato. 

Next stop was a lunch stop at Tenuta Torciano just outside of San Gimignano.  Jim unfortunately wasn't feeling the best, so we had to sacrifice ourselves and drink some of his favourite brunellos. 

 Stephanie bonded with one of the local chickens. 

 The courtyard was amazing and lunch spectacular. 

 I think our sommelier was in the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun".  If not they should do a sequel.  I would love to be a bit player in it, just sitting in the background drinking wine and drooling :)

 Ilaria our tour guide went above and beyond including giving a sword to Stephanie that she was to use to open a bottle of champagne that David was holding.  This seemed like a great idea after drinking wine all day.  :). David survived.  Such Fun in Tuscany. 

Thank you Ilaria for a great day.  We had so much fun we decided to book another one for my birthday this time with a stop in Sienna.  :)