Wine Tasting Weekend in Tuscany

Mar 19 Fri 6:00 AM
Location
This location is shown only to members
Attendance
 24  people attended.
5.00 5.008 (8 ratings)

Who organized?
Elena

By popular demand of the Hikecoholics section of the group, we are organizing a Brunello wine tasting weekend in Tuscany!
The plan is a 4 days extended weekend: leaving on Friday Morning and coming back on Monday night.
We will make base in Montalcino, a poetic medieval town on a hill, with vineyards running down its sides.
We will land in Rome, rent the cars and drive towards Siena. The drive will take about 3 hours, an easy route mostly on motorway.
On arrival to Montalcino we will have a quick snack in the old town and then proceed with the wine tasting afternoon.
We have arranged a visit to the most notorious wine estates in the Brunello region. The divine Brunello is one of the most prestigious red wines on this planet. Not sure about other solar systems. http://www.consorziob...
Wine Spectator declared it the best red wine in the world in 2001.
The estate we will visit is called Castello Banfi http://www.castelloba...
Here some highlights:
• 11 Consecutive Years ~ Italy’s Premier Vineyard Estate at the VinItaly wine fair
• The first winery in the world to be internationally recognized for exceptional environmental, ethical and social responsibility (ISO 14001 and SA 8000) as well as an international leader in customer satisfaction (ISO 9001:2000).
• Winery of the Year by both Wine Enthusiast and Wine & Spirits Magazine and Top Ten Wines (Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio all’Oro) by Wine Spectator.

After the visit to the estate and production facilities we will visit the medieval castle (property of the estate), the balsameria (where Balsamic Vinegar ages for years and years) and finally we will end with the much deserved wine tasting.

On Friday night we will eat at a local restaurant serving traditional Tuscan food, plan to spend about 20-30 euro for dinner (more if we have Brunello with it…)
Between Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning we will visit Montalcino, Siena, San Giminiano and Volterra. Or this is what I’d pick…
There will be also the opportunity to visit other smaller wine estates and to rent bikes of go horse riding. We will keep it open until the number of people attending will be determined.

Cost: there’s an offer on Vueling.com for 65 €, flying out on Friday the 19th at 07:10 from Barcelona, landing in Rome at 09:00
The return would be on Monday the 22nd from Rome, leaving at 20:15 and landing in Barcelona at 22:00
Approximate costs per person:
car rental, based on 4 sharing: 35€
Petrol and tolls: 30€ (estimate)
Flight: 65€
Lodging: 75€ based on 4 sharing, 3 nights, approximate
Total lodging and transportation = 205 euros + meals
Once we will have the final attendance list you will be asked to book your flight directly. I’m not sure how long this offer with Vueling will last, so let’s check interest quickly, please respond by the 29th: we will then book flights on the 30th.
Once flights will have been booked, we will book the hotel and ask you to pay via paypal.
Arrivederci!

Talk about this Meetup

  • Sergio F
    Posted Mar 23, 2010 4:41 PM
    Ferfa
    Totalmente de acuerdo con Miguel. La canción del viaje, y prácticamente la que me ha mantenido despierto esta mañana al volante... Y por supuesto, agradecer a Sandra Raikonnen (aka "2-2-16") por divertirnos con el juego de las sillas...en el coche...
  • Miguel
    Posted Mar 23, 2010 4:36 PM
    The Skydiving No-Organizer
    La canción del viaje ;-) http://www.youtube.com/watc...
  • Miguel
    Posted Mar 23, 2010 4:34 PM
    The Skydiving No-Organizer
    Qué decir que no se haya dicho, que Elena no es grande, es MUY grande, que Sara fue su perfecto complemento (perfecto para nosotros, claro) . Que los no italianos solo tuvimos que preocuparnos de comer y beber. GRAZIE MILLE BELLAS, IN PARTICOLARE PER SOPORTARE QUESTI ROMPICAZZO. Además, no sería justo si no hiciera una mención especial, con la que Sergio estará de acuerdo, y es agradecer eternamente a Sandra "M'enchochao del camarero" el conducir cuando nosotros estábamos un poco perjudicados.
  • Silvina
    Posted Mar 23, 2010 2:39 PM
    con B de B...
    Super!! Super Meetup!! Thanks a lot to everyone for the experience, specially to the Queen ;))
  • Ania
    Posted Mar 22, 2010 11:52 PM
    A fantastic meetup. Thanks to Elena - simply perfect. Wine tasting at its best with great company of all.
  • Sara
    Posted Mar 22, 2010 9:17 PM
    Como el meetup sigue sin mandarme los mails escribiré aqui.... bueno, soy la primera en haber vuelto (sigh), y naturalmente el GRACIAS más grabde va a Super-Elena por haber organizado este fin de semana increible, y por la paciencia. GRACIAS GRACIAS GRACIAS. Y gracias a todos por el buen rollo, las risas, la alegría y la música mala (....Sergio tu CD estaba en nuestro apartamento pero juro que yo no lo secuestré!)
  • Wine Tasting Weekend in Tuscany happened on March 19, 2010 6:00 AM
  • Miguel
    Posted Mar 17, 2010 9:51 PM
    The Skydiving No-Organizer
    Donde dormimos hay piscina. Traeros el bañador por si acaso que no ocupa mucho en la maleta.
  • Nigel
    Posted Mar 17, 2010 2:55 PM
    Hi everyone. If anyone wants to share a taxi to the airport on Friday instead of taking the Airport bus, Lucy was thinking of taking a taxi from the bottom of Via Laietana (outside the Correos) around 5:45. (I'm meeting everyone in Rome). Between 4 people it'll be around 5 or 6 Euros each, i think. If there are any takers, please post a comment asap. Thanks! See you all there...
  • Sandra Giménez
    Posted Mar 16, 2010 9:53 AM
    Raikkonen
    Hola a todos. Sergio, tienes sitio en tu coche para dos más. Si no es así, Ainhoa y yo ya nos arreglaremos con un taxi para llegar tranquilamente a las 6:15. Hasta ahora, Sandra
  • Elena
    Posted Mar 15, 2010 9:41 PM
    Event Organizer
    Miguel, I've said 6.15 already checked in, I think you missed that. There is no risk at all in this timing. I'll wait 10 minutes and then proceed to the boarding gate. If you or anybody else feel you need more time to proceed from the counters to the gate feel free to go earlier, sleep in the airport, whatever. I will be waiting from 6.15 to 6.25, I've checked in days ago. Arrivederci
  • Naomi
    Posted Mar 15, 2010 7:16 PM
    la cubana
    Estaré alli a las 6. Intentaré cojer el primer aerobus desde plz catalunya a las 5:30hr (sino, la segunda jeje)
  • Miguel
    Posted Mar 15, 2010 4:26 PM
    The Skydiving No-Organizer
    The flight has de departure at 07.10h, at least mine ;-) Check-in closes at 6.30h. Boarding begins at 6.40h. Boarding gate closes at 7.00h. I think meeting us at 6.15 is very risky if check-in closes at 6.30h I will be there sooner.
  • Britt Arechiga
    Posted Mar 15, 2010 2:32 PM
    Hi everyone, I will meet you at the airport in ROME, as I will be in Italy all this week. I arrive at FCO 8:30am so I'll be waiting for you all :)
  • Miguel
    Posted Mar 15, 2010 11:28 AM
    The Skydiving No-Organizer
    Rectifico. Si eliges asiento te cobran 3 euros así que como el viaje tampoco es muy largo que nos los asignen allí.
  • Sandra Giménez
    Posted Mar 15, 2010 11:07 AM
    Raikkonen
    ok!!!! Mesaje recibido! I thought that I had to hire the car. I'm sorry but I did not know that you have already hired them... Thank you!! Sandra
  • Miguel
    Posted Mar 15, 2010 10:26 AM
    The Skydiving No-Organizer
    Buenas, soy un poco tocapelotas con los asientos del avión, así que hoy voy a elegir el mío. Como no tenemos el mismo localizador, si alguien quiere sentarse cerca mío necesitaría que me enviara por email su reserva y sus preferencias. Yo, pasillo ;-)
  • Miguel
    Posted Mar 15, 2010 10:12 AM
    The Skydiving No-Organizer
    Sandra, antes de hacer nada habla con Elena porqué yo diría que el coche ya está alquilado y lo que igual quiere es solo un cambio de nombre.
  • Sandra Giménez
    Posted Mar 15, 2010 10:05 AM
    Raikkonen
    Hi Elena! I will drive one of the cars, no problem. Today I will try to hire it. Sergio sent the page www.Skyscanner.com to do it. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. See you, Sandra
  • Ania
    Posted Mar 9, 2010 6:35 PM
    Hello, I have a critical situation with 2 project deliveries next week. I am doing all i can to finalize it and be able to go next Friday (holidays booked months ago). However, i don´t think it would be wise for me to rent a car in my name if there is a risk i would need to pull out next week. I hope so much i would be coming!
  • Sandra Giménez
    Posted Mar 9, 2010 5:32 PM
    Raikkonen
    Hi, I can drive one of the cars. But there is any recommended place to hire a car? Where? Thanks, Sandra
of 2

Who attended?

  • 24 attendees
    •  Five Stars for a wonderful meetup weekend! Dolce vita at its best, with wine, pasta and sightseeing. Thank you, Elena for having been such a great organizer! 
    • Rob
       We drank and ate and drank and ate and drank and...it was great!! Mille grazie to Elena la Reina de la Dolce Vita! 
    • Nigel (+1 guest)
       Wow - what a great weekend! Fantastic company, endless amazing food and drink. Thank you Elena for all the organisation and great ideas :) Can't wait to visit this lovely part of the world again. 
    • Ferfa
       Todo se puede resumir en una palabra: GRANDE! Grande Elena por la organización (algunos estaban asustados por ir a ritmo de "Siennaaaaaaaaaaaaa...") Grande la comida italiana. Grande el vino di Montalcino. Grande la música italiana... Grandes los paisajes de la bella Toscana... Grandes los cocktails basados en frutillassssss del Kafeinna... Grande weekend! Sin olvidarnos del "súbete a mi moto...", los "ay mierda de ms. Raikonnen", los rissotto "tutti di mare"... Perfect "vacanza di cuatro dia"... 
    • la cubana
       Absolutely fabulous! I discovered wine, Italian food, cornetto (con crema). More wine, more Italian food and even more wine with great surroundings, amazing views and fantastic people. I had a marvelous time with heaps of laughter! Thanks Elenita for organizing this trip, with unconditional patience and great ideas! Gratzi mile, un bacio e sogni d'oro! 
    •  Buenas tardes! What a fantastic and memorable weekend! Getting up this am in BCN was a little tough. Well, Elena, you've been "fenomenal', such a great and patient (...) organizer! I thoroughly enjoyed everyone's company (you're good sport and awsome!) and locals' hospitality was just genuinely great. Food and wine were amazing: I missed my antispasti, pinci and brunello at lunchtime..., and of course your company! Hope to see you all soon. Ah, thanks to Rob for driving us around with a smile.... Un beso a todos, Ciao. Marie 
    • con B de B...
    • The Skydiving No-Organizer
    • Snow Rocket
    • Raikkonen

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