Wine, Cellars and Traditional Food of Amiata

A tour to discover the fine food and wines of Monte Amiata

During your stay we shall try to show you all the varied aspects of food and wine which our region can offer. Apart from experiencing life in the small medieval villages, we shall visit numerous estates which produce local specialties. Obviously the table and menu will be supremely important. We have chosen a series of particularly interesting restaurants and hotels. One of our member is always available to accompany guests.

Day 1 – Arrival

Arrival at the hotel in the late afternoon; a cocktail to welcome you.
Dinner with traditional regional dishes, appropriately accompanied by the great wines of Montalcino, Montecucco, Scansano and Montepulciano.
At the end of the evening there will be a slide show  to introduce Monte Amiata and its tradition.

Day 2 – Tour of Montecucco

We will begin with a visit to the medieval village of Arcidosso and its Aldobrandeschi castle. We will then visit the Museum of Oriental Art and Culture.

Next we will move to an olive mill for a tasting of local exra virgin olive oil and discover the particularities that differentiate Olivastra seggianese, a native cultivar, from other Tuscan cultivars.

Lunch will be at the farm restaurant. In the early afternoon we will delve into the Montecucco production area where we will visit a farm, among the most interesting in the area, with a barrique cellar carved out of a 15th-century cellar.

Return to the hotel and dinner of typical products.

Day 3 – Products tasting, Abbadia San Salvatore and the hot springs of San Filippo

Today’s day will have a mainly cultural focus.

We will begin with a visit to the historic village of Abbadia San Salvatore, the oldest Amiata settlement where we will visit the Abbey of San Salvatore or Monastery, as they call it in these parts. The church is a splendid example of Romanesque art from the 8th century and boasts a striking underground crypt said to be the original core of the church.

Following this we will take a leisurely walk through the walls of the unspoiled medieval center.

During the hike we will stop for a light-lunch of local products at a downtown slow food spot.

After lunch we will move to the nearby San Filippo free natural hot springs to see the spectacular Balena Bianca – White Whale – waterfall and take a restorative bath.

Return to the hotel and dinner.

Day 4 – Seggiano: The World of the Olivastra (huge and ancient olive trees)

We reach the medieval village of Seggiano, clinging to a steep hill, surrounded by olives and located between the valley and the Vetta.

After a visit to the village, possibility to visit a ‘Sienese pig’ farm and see these animals roaming free in the woods.

Next, we will move to Daniel Spoerri Garden for lunch; founded in 1992, to exhibit a series of contemporary sculptures by internationally famous artists, it covers eight hectares. In the afternoon visit of the Garden and then return to the hotel.

After some rest, a dinner with traditional wines and dishes from Amiata

Day 5 – The Villages of Amiata and The Production of “Salumi”

Today we shall discover other small medieval villages. We shall start with Castel del Piano where we shall meet Samuele, the master pork-butcher, who will show us the ways of preparing Amiatini “salumi” (hams, sausages, salamis etc.).

After a short move we will arrive in Santa Fiora, an ancient village territory of the Aldobrandeschi first and the Sforza later, today it represents one of the most picturesque places in the mountains. We shall visit its historic centre, the church with della Robbia painted terra-cottas, the park with the fish pond and the Museum of the Mines.

After lunch in a typical restaurant, we will make an afternoon visit to the headwaters of the Fiora River: a 600-meter tunnel in the mountain leads to a cave where water gushes directly from the rock. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 6 – Montalcino: the City of Wine

The day is dedicated to the historic village of Montalcino.

We reach Castello di Poggio alle Mura, where we will visit the monumental cellars and wine shop of Castello Banfi with the adjoining glass museum to experience the thrill of delving into the headquarters of one of Montalcino’s largest wineries and touching a world-class reality.

The next stage will take us to Montalcino. The village has medieval origins, and from the Rocca there is a truly breathtaking view of the Val D’Orcia.

Lunch at a typical restaurant where we will taste Montalcino wines.

In the afternoon, we will set out for Sant’Antimo, the ancient Benedictine abbey resplendent with white marble.

Return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 7 – The cheeses of Amiata and Morellino di Scansano

The first visit will be to a dairy producing Tuscan pecorino cheese that has received many awards worldwide.

Then we will visit the ancient village of Roccalbegna nestled along the Albegna gorges and dominated by an imposing rocky outcrop. The church of St. Peter with a renowned triptych by Ambrogio Lorenzetti is very beautiful.

Subsequent visit to one of the most prestigious wine producers in the area where, after visiting the winery, we will have lunch on the winery’s veranda.

Return to the hotel is scheduled for late afternoon. In the evening, after dinner, possibility of holding a dance party to greet guests.

Day 8 – Departure

After breakfast, check out and depart.

Reductions for groups sarting from 3 people.
The offer is valid all year round. Depending on the season, activities may vary.