Touring Tuscany
February 23, 2025
I first fell in love with wine on a study abroad Tour of Tuscany in 2019. I remember driving through the rolling hills and touring the gardens and castles. I remember tasting my first Chianti. I remember walking around Montalcino and finding my dream house, then wandering the streets of Pienza while eating pecorino gelato, then visiting wineries around Montepulciano. I remember wishing I could study in Italy all the time. I remember trying so hard to soak in every moment of that once-in-a-lifetime experience. I never imagined that I’d get to do it again. But this week some family friends (the Krause’s) were visiting Italy and let me join them on their own little tour of Tuscany.
Wednesday, I woke up before dawn and caught the train to Siena. The Krause’s picked me up and we checked out the Duomo, then drove to Montalcino and drank some Brunello de Montalcino (obviously). On our way into the city, we drove by the cute house I’d loved on my first trip to Italy when I was 20, and I let out an audible scream. I couldn’t believe it! Despite the lack of summer blooms that had been scattered throughout pots on the porch back then, it looked the exact same. It’s a small stone house with a porch that overlooks the vines in the valley, and I can confirm that it’s still my dream house. (Seriously look at how cute it is!! And that view!!)
We went to Montepulciano that night and stayed in a lovely Airbnb, and wandered the streets till we found a restaurant that was actually open for dinner. It was so cold and we were starving, and we found about five that were open but fully booked before stumbling upon one that would take us. After dinner, I taught the girls Dutch Blitz then headed swiftly to bed. I’m not made for 5am wakeups.
Thursday, we slept in, had a great breakfast, then drove around the countryside visiting wineries. We started the day with a tasting at Manvi, where a kind gal poured us wine samples and chatted with us all about the region and the wine and her life before recommending other places we could visit. From there we went down the hill to Salchetto, a bigger winery with a stunning view, and they squeezed us in despite us not having made a reservation. We ended the day at Podere Della Bruciata, a small family winery with the kindest winemaker and the best charcuterie board I’ve ever seen. A few of us cried tasting their homemade balsamic on apples. I don’t know the last time I had such a fun day. Good views, good company, and good wine make for the best time.
Friday we explored Orvieto in the morning, then I trained back to Piacenza, so it was a quick trip, but it was exactly what I needed. What a full circle moment to be drinking wine in the place I first fell in love with it! And how sweet to revisit a place that had such a big impact on my life and goals and dreams. And how wonderful it is to have friends willing to adopt me into their family for a few days, giving me a glimpse of home.
I remember when I first came to Italy, I hated wine but wanted to like it, because I loved learning about it, and then I remember praying that my palate would change. I remember when the only differences I could pick out at a tasting were between white wines and red ones. I remember wanting to travel and visit more wine regions. I remember getting back to America after studying abroad and counting down the days till I turned 21 and could buy wine at the store. I remember knowing I wanted to be a part of the wine industry but not knowing where to start.
Looking back now, I see all the little answered prayers that led me to being here now. I too often take for granted that I’m exactly where I wished to be years ago, and I feel so grateful for the steps that have gotten me here, getting to live a once-in-a-lifetime experience every day. Eeeep! Thank you, God!
PS writing this, this song is stuck in my head. I feel like it's been the song of my life these past few years, and it's such a goody. Listen if you'd like :)
Cheers!!
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