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!