Tuscany is Next International Wine Tour Destination

 

Over the last couple of years, I’ve segued into an emeritus role at Carpe Vino and Drew is now firmly at the helm of our family business.  One of my greatest joys in this transition is I’ve had the freedom get out and explore wine regions around the world.  And on tours of Spain in 2013 and Provence last year, my adventures included a band of like-minded wine lovers.

I am pleased to announce that my 2016 event, in partnership with Earthbound Expeditions of Bainbridge Island, Washington, will be an 10-day exploration of the Wine Estates of Tuscany and Beyond.  In collaboration with Earthbound’s owner, Matthew Brumley, we’ve nailed down a circuit that will start in Chianti and snake through Tuscany and a corner of Umbria before ending in Rome.  Ten days, gallons (okay, liters) of wine, enough dazzling food to choke an Etruscan and a smattering of art and antiquities to sate the intellectuals in our ranks.  It’s gonna be our Provence tour on steroids.

Seriously, this is going to be another awesome adventure (I no longer worry about managing expectations), and as we have in the past, our alumni received the right of first refusal to sign up; 11 people jumped on the early opportunity.  We have room for 26 travelers, so just 15 berths remain.

The goal behind this trip is to create an experience that is an immersion in the country lifestyle and culture of Tuscany.  Our route is compact, and we’ll focus on up-close looks at wineries in or near Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano and Orvieto.  We’ll dine at amazing restaurants and you will be totally delighted with the hotels Matthew has reserved for us.

Click here for access to an online brochure detailing where we are going and what we expect to do.  We’re 10 months out, so we have time to fill in specifics (hotels, wineries, attractions), but expect the same kind of excellent experiences our groups have enjoyed in the past.  I’ll keep you posted with updates as I get more definitive information.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Tour Starts in Florence on October 2
• Led by an expert Earthbound Expeditions guide
• Transport by private air-conditioned motor coach
• Charming 4-star hotels, lodges and palaces
• All breakfasts, five lunches and six dinners
• Visits and tasting to the top wine estates of Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano and Orvieto
• An entertaining cooking class
• Excursions to the celebrated hill towns, markets, museums and castles of Tuscany
• All entry fees are included

Cost is in line with what we have seen in the past: $3,995 per person, plus a discount of $100 per person when you pay your balance by check. Travelers are responsible for their own airfare.

As is our custom, we’ll schedule an ice-breaker for all Tuscany participants in the Wine Mine at Carpe Vino in the spring.  And, of course, we’ll celebrate our Tuscany journey with a prix-fixe dinner in late November.

To make reservations for the trip, please contact Earthbound directly at www.earthboundexpeditions.com or call 1-800-723-8454. Reservations are first-come, first-served, so don’t miss out on our next wine tour!