Wine Appreciation Escape
This is the week of the Greve in Chianti wine festival, an Expo of Chianti Classico in its 54th year. You’ll have the opportunity to meet over 60 of the main Chianti Classico producers and taste some of their best Rosata, Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva and Gran Selezione wines. Whether you are at the beginning of your learning about the Chianti or whether you want to discover more about these increasingly popular wines, you will be able to learn from masters and immerse yourself in this wine appreciation escape. Our expert wine producers, oenologists and wine consultants will provide you with a grounding in appreciation of Chianti wines. Our partner wine producers will host visits to their vineyards to provide tastings and expert advice on their wines, why they’re unique and explain their own Chianti story. This is a holiday so there’ll be plenty of time to relax by the pool, eat good food and socialise, as well as visit the city of Florence. We’ll prebook a ticket for you to one of the Uffizi gallery, the Duomo, the Basilica of Santa Croce or the Accademia to see the original Michelangelo’s David. You will also be able to explore the medieval town of Greve in Chianti and the famous village of Montefioralle. There’s also a pasta making class so when you return home you’ll be able to host your own Chianti evening for your friends.
Typical Wine Appreciation Escape
Day 1
Pick up at Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station in the centre of Florence. Welcome and settle into your room, explore, have a swim or lounge by the pool and meet other Escapees. There's a welcome aperitivo with your wine expert, Giulio d’Afflitto, who will join you for a long table, social dinner in the loggia. Giulio will make recommendations for wine tasting at the Greve in Chianti EXPO.
Day 2
After buffet breakfast there's free time for getting to know your fellow escapees by the pool or in the grounds. At buffet lunch you’ll be provided with a list of Giulio’s recommended tastings at the EXPO.
Transfer to Greve in Chianti annual wine EXPO, the most prestigious festival of Chianti wines. Return for aperitivi and dinner
Day 3
After buffet breakfast you'll have free time to relax by the pool
Following lunch you'll be transferred to Greve in Chianti to continue your tastings at the Greve in Chianti EXPO. Make time to roam around the shops and cafes and visit San Francesco Museum with its panoramic viewing point. Return for aperitivi and dinner
Day 4
After buffet breakfast and relax time, you’ll have a pasta making class followed by lunch. Then you are transferred to Montefioralle, a medieval village overlooking Greve in Chianti. Here you can visit a vineyard and taste some of the Montefioralle wines from a higher altitude to Greve. There’ll be time for you to walk around the cobbled streets and see the house of the explorer Amerigo Vespucci after whom America is named.
At 18:30 you’ll return for aperitivi, long table dinner, followed by recommendations for your day in Firenze, then outdoor cinema night
Day 5
Following buffet breakfast you'll be transferred to Florence for a free day to explore the city at the heart of the Renaissance. Lunch is at your own expense and choice. At booking you’ll be asked to choose a pre-paid, beat the line ticket to one of:
- the Uffizi Galleries
- the Duomo
- Basilica di Santa Croce
- Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s sculpture of David
Return for aperitivi and BBQ dinner
Day 6
After buffet breakfast you'll have free time to relax by the pool then buffet lunch.
You’ll be able to walk off your lunch as we meander up the white road to a local agriturismo winemaker for a tour of the estate and cellar, wine tasting with fabulous views of the Appennini mountains.
Return for aperitivi and dinner
Day 7
Following a leisurely morning, after lunch you'll be transferred to a local castle for a tour of the gardens, ancient cellars and wine tasting.
Return for and aperitivi and then your last dinner together
Day 8
Buffet breakfast, checkout and transfer to Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station
Meet Your Escape Expert
Giulio d'Afflitto
Giulio is an Italian winemaker, born and raised in Florence to a Florentine father and French mother. He is a descendent of the Amalfi line of one of Italy’s great noble families, documented back to the ninth century. The d’Afflitto family has an esteemed reputation in wine making; Giulio is continuing these traditions at the family estate of Castel Ruggero, Firenze.
“I developed a passion for agriculture and the world of wine at a very young age, having grown up on the family estate that produces Chianti Classico”
After graduating with a degree in Oenology from a French lycée, Giulio chose to learn from the best through working with some of the leading international wine makers, such as Chateau Margaux.
“I decided to gain experience in several of the world’s most prestigious wine-growing regions. My journey took me from France to Australia, California and New Zealand, eventually leading me to Argentina”
Giulio returned home to Italy to Castel Ruggero with his Argentinian wife, Maria. Here they produce Chianti Classico, IGTs or Super Tuscans and Gran Selezione Chianti Classico wines. They also produce Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). His knowledge and international experience make Giulio a sought-after consultant winemaker to various other Chianti Classico wineries in the region.
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