Introduction
For those who want to get out of the country for Thanksgiving, consider spending this holiday season in a Tuscan castle. The nine-day trip will be hosted at Castello di Nipozzano by Lorenzo di Frescobaldi the 29th generation of Tuscany’s renowned Frescobaldi wine family and an expert in food, culture, and history. Guests will indulge in private tastings, food pairings, and a truffle hunt with the local hunter who supplies Di Frescobaldi. “I chose this castle because it has an interesting history (it was originally a fortress), but also for its tranquility and charm,” he said. “The location is also great because it’s located near important cities like Florence, Siena, and Pisa.” There will also be visits to two of his family’s private wineries.
Frescobaldi
The Frescobaldi family is one of the most renowned wine families in Italy. Their estate, Villa Gamberaia, is located in Tuscany. A visit to this property will give you an authentic taste of Tuscan life and culture. Here are some reasons why you should make your way to the Tuscan countryside this Thanksgiving:
- Taste fine wines from some of Italy’s best producers
- Learn about the Tuscan history and cuisine
- Enjoy beautiful architecture and artworks from Renaissance masters including Michelangelo and Botticelli
Lorenzo Di Frescobaldi
- It’s an exclusive nine-day trip curated by Lorenzo di Frescobaldi.
- The itinerary is designed to give you a taste of Italy’s finest wine regions, from the vineyards of Piedmont and Tuscany to the small town of Montalcino, home of Brunello di Montalcino.
“Tranquility and Charm.”
Di Frescobaldi chose the castle for its “tranquility and charm.”
“Our family has a long history in Chianti,” he says. “Our ancestors started producing wine here back in 1429.”
But while many of the surrounding vineyards have changed hands over the years, Frescobaldi has remained firmly rooted in this land. The castle itself is located within one of Tuscany’s most prestigious areas: Chianti Classico. It’s also part of the Castello di Brolio estate, which consists of four villas and a vineyard that spans 100 hectares (250 acres). And it’s been owned by Di Frescobaldi’s since 1532 a whopping 449 years!
You can stay at Castello di Brolio for $20 per person per night (you’ll need to book well ahead), or you can opt for an overnight tour ($90) that includes tours of both Castello di Brolio and another Tuscan castle called Villa La Veduta (which was once home to Italian dictator Benito Mussolini!)
Private Tastings and Food Pairings
The Frescobaldi’s have been cultivating grape vines since 1308, making them one of the oldest wine producers in Italy. The castle is located in the Chianti region of Tuscany, an ideal place for growing grapes thanks to its temperate climate and soil. During your stay, you’ll be able to indulge in private tastings and food pairings led by Frescobaldi’s award-winning sommelier Andrea Bocciolini.
Guests will also live like Locals with a Visit to a Truffle Hunter’s Home
Every year, thousands of people travel to Italy to visit the truffle hunters who work in the woods with their pigs. These local families have been truffle hunting for generations; it’s a family business and a tradition that has been passed down through the years. They’ve learned to spot signs of an underground fungus by looking at the roots on trees, leaves, and even grasses growing around them. The pigs are trained to sniff out this delicious delicacy by following their noses—sometimes they find as many as ten per day! As you can imagine, this isn’t just some hobby: it’s serious business in Tuscany (and beyond). Guests will also live like locals with a visit to a truffle hunter’s home where they’ll learn about this unique way of life first-hand from someone who lives it every day!
The Frescobaldi Cultivating Grape Vines Since 1308
The Frescobaldi family has been producing wine since 1322. They have a winery in the Chianti region of Tuscany, which is home to some of Italy’s most well-known vineyards.
Frescobaldi family members use only their grapes and follow the traditional processes for vinification, maturation, bottling, and labeling. Frescobaldi wines are made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso grapes and are produced using traditional methods as well as modern technology to produce unique vintages that reflect their terroir
Di Frescobaldi’s Private Wineries
The tour will also visit the family’s private wineries, where you will see the vineyards, the bottling plant, and a tasting session in which you can try many Di Frescobaldi wines. You’ll learn about Tuscan viticulture and get expert tips on how to pair your favorite wines with Thanksgiving dinner.
Guests Will Bond Over Wandering Through Castle Grounds
In the morning, there is a wealth of activities to enjoy:
- Castle tours
- Wine tastings (a local bar)
- Local sights and museums (including Chianti’s most famous vineyard)
- A trip to Florence, the Renaissance city where you can visit Michelangelo’s David and Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.
The Castle is located in the Chianti Region of Tuscany, Italy
The castle is located in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy. This area is known for its beautiful landscape and vineyards. The castle sits in the heart of Tuscany, surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards on a terraced hillside at an elevation of about 1,000 feet above sea level.
The Tuscan countryside offers a wealth of beautiful sights to see during your visit: from vineyards to olive groves and medieval towns with cobblestone streets; from hilltop castles to ancient cathedrals; from curious museums that explore life in centuries past to award-winning wineries producing some of Italy’s finest wines.
Tuscan History
It may be the perfect time to make your way to Italy for a wine tour. You can learn about wine, food, and Tuscan history all at once. Tuscan wines are known for their purity and freshness they’re mostly blends of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other grapes grown throughout the region. The result is an award-winning red wine with a fruity flavor perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.
You’ll also get to explore some of Tuscany’s most beautiful castles while learning about their history and architecture in detail during guided tours of both Castello di Verrazzano (a medieval castle) and Castello Banfi (a Renaissance castle). After you visit with us we recommend you take advantage of our free shuttle service into Montalcino where you can go on a tasting tour at Viticciole Winery or visit other wineries nearby if you wish!
Conclusion
This is an amazing opportunity to both escape the holiday season madness and deepen your connections with loved ones. The folks at Frescobaldi have been cultivating grape vines for centuries, so you know that this experience will be one of a kind. It’s not about rushing around or cramming in activities; it’s about savoring moments and letting them linger. The memories you make in this Tuscan castle will stay with you forever.
