We’ll proceed to Panzano, an important military fortress located midway between Florence and Siena.

Because of its location, the hamlet was battered many a time during the centuries by the two competing cities. A good part of the old walls and towers are still visible today,

From there we can enjoy a fantastic panoramic of the surrounding countryside, with its vineyards, olive groves, Romanic churches and castles.

The superstar of Panzano is certainly Dario Cecchini, labelled as ‘the most famous butcher in the world’. His philosophy of respect for the animal is well worth to be known.

We could stop for lunch in one of his three restaurants, where you’ll eat ‘in convivio’, together with other guests. The queen is, of course, Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine Style Steak), but the ‘Mc Dario’s Burgers’ are also absolutely outstanding!

If you are more for vegetables or homemade pasta we will continue our journey to Volpaia, a typical medieval village built around a 10th century castle.

Perfectly well preserved, you will find no modern buildings here. Inside the Castle is the 15th century Church/Tower of St Eufrosino, considered to be the Evangelist of the Chianti region.

Lunch could be at ‘La Bottega’, a family run restaurant with a superb view on the cypress trees, woods and hills of Chianti. Homemade ravioli and tortelli, ribollita soup, wild boar, and to finish in style, chocolate cake!

Afternoon we will then move on to the area of Radda and Gaiole, two major towns of the region, that, together with Castellina, formed the Chianti League under the control of Florence in 1384.

Their symbol, a black rooster on a golden field, partly modified, became the symbol of the Classic Chianti Wine. The black rooster and the flask, a glass bottle wrapped into wicker, can be considered the two ‘emblems’ of the Chianti wine.

The landscape here is exceptional for the high concentration of important medieval constructions which rise as wonderfully preserved memories of the past centuries. The lush vegetation, alternating woods and the orderly geometries of vineyards and cypress rows makes it pleasant in any season.

To wash our meal down we will stop at a representative winery of the “Gaiole terroir”.

Your guide will point out the nearby Castello di Brolio, a castle-village from the 9th century, remodeled in 15th century Florentine style, is deeply connected with the Ricasoli family. You will learn about Bettino Ricasoli, great Italian politician and ‘father’ to the modern Chianti wine.

The unusual atmosphere of Badia a Coltibuono takes us back to the times when monasteries where the greatest wine makers. In 1054 monks of the Vallombrosa order began building the new ‘good harvest’ monastery, while at the same time started planting their vineyards.

Great impulse was given by Lorenzo de’ Medici. In 1810 Napoleon kicked the monks out. You will learn about modern times while sipping your wine…

It is now time to make our way back to Florence, enjoying sunset along the rolling hills of Val di Pesa, with a brief stop for picture taking by San Casciano.

You might also be interested in booking a Gourmet tour in Venice & the Veneto.