The Unplugged Collection - Tuscany™

Join Executive Chef Salvatore at his 18th century Villa for hands-on cooking in enchanting Tuscany.

This elegant property will sweep away into a dreamy world of food, wine and cooking.  Set in a natural ridge that separates the Chiana Valley, the Villa is surrounded by green hills and the sound of nature that were celebrated by Dante.  Luxurious and charming, cozy and warm describe this one-of-a-kind property. The countryside setting in the heartland of Tuscany makes it a short ride and easy drive to Siena, Cortona, and Montepulciano.

Chef Salvatore is your teacher, and this Executive Chef will show you how turning Tuscan traditions into new renditions with a twist.  In each hands-on cooking class you will prepare an antipasto, pasta, main course and dessert.  Known as the great Chef with a great heart, you will learn how to slice, dice, mix, knead and plate classic traditions that can easily be recreated in your own home kitchen.  Our Chef is a native of Grosseto, and therefore his knowledge on local produce and his relationships with purveyors, adds a special touch to all the foods you will prepare.  Join Chef Salvatore in his hands-on cooking paired with award-winning Tuscan wines, olive oils at the Villa.

Cooking Classes

Executive Chef Salvatore leads you through hands-on cooking classes from appetizer to dessert in classic Tuscan traditions. Lunch or dinner follows on the foods prepared in class. Local wine, water and caffè included.  Cooking classes include foods of the season with sample menus such as:

Menus

Menus vary and are based on the season’s best local flavors. Menus may be tailored to accommodate any type of diet restriction or food allergy, including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan.

Country Eggplant Fattoressa-style
Malfatti homemade pasta with vegetables
Roasted stuffed coniglio
Panna cotta flavored with vanilla or orange flavor or apple cinnamon

Spelt salad with baby vegetables &
Pienza Pecorino cheese & Balsamico
Pici, handmade Pasta with fresh tomatoes & basil
Fillet Chianina Beef with Scalogno and new Chianti DOCG wine
Zuccotto Fiorentino with wild berry sauce

Fegatini Tuscan Croutons
Two-colored Cappellacci handmade pasta with Ricotta & spinach
Hunter’s-style Cinta Senese, pork, from the Sienese Hills
Tiramisu’

Menus vary and are based on the season’s best local flavors. Menus may be tailored to accommodate any type of diet restriction or food allergy, including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan.

Location~ Southern Tuscany

The Villa is located in the heart of southern Tuscany and just south of Siena.  In the rolling landscape of Crete Senesi, the lunar landscape of exposed clay and craters – among lush greens of olive groves producing DOP olive oils, plush vineyards and tall cypress trees, the Villa is your magical home-away-from-home.  Reach out and almost touch Monte Amiata, drive along the Chiana Valley, famous for its white breed of cattle, the chianina, Montepulciano, and experience the Val d’Orcia – the region of big Tuscan wine.

Tuscany, The Villa ~ Accommodations

Step into the 18th century Villa and relax. Private bedroom and bath rooms look out onto the ridge overlooking the Chiana valley. The estate has been carefully restored to reflect the ancient splendor of the rural surrounding villas enveloped by cobbled streets, flower gardens and olive groves. Take a swim in the outdoor swimming pool, hydro-massage tub (in season), or take to the courts for a little tennis. Horseback riding is available on the property, as well as bikes for peddling through the Tuscan hills.

Each room is furnished with fine bed furnishings and has a private bathroom. Tuscan style furniture adorns each room, along with artistic details that add a warm charm. Each room’s bedroom windows open onto sweeping views that overlook the rolling hills of Montalcino, Monte Amiata, and the Crete Senesi. The morning sunrises filled with a hazy mist and touching upon the green land surrounding grounds look like a Michelangelo painting. If you need to keep in touch with the real world, there is an Internet point & meeting rooms.

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Itinerary: 4 Days, 3 Nights

Day 1: Arrival and Welcome Tasting Dinner

• Arrival and check in.
• Meet your hosts and relax.
• In the evening, your Chef’s Tasting Welcome Dinner featuring a Tuscan Tasting Menu. Dine on Tuscan cuisine with wine, water and caffè included.

Day 2: Asciano & Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served.
• After breakfast transfer to Asciano, a little town in the Crete Senesi. Visit the old center starting from the Church of Sant’Agata, built in the 11th century, to see Signorelli’s ‘Virgin with Child’ and Sodoma’s ‘Pieta’’.
• In the Piazza, see Paolo Ghini’s fountain and museums include the Museum of the Sacred Arts, the Etruscan Museum and the Cassioli Museum.
• Return to the estate for a light lunch, which is included.
• In the afternoon, meet Chef Salvatore for your first hands-on cooking class where you will prepare an antipasto, pasta, main  course and dessert.
• Dinner follows and everyone dines on the foods that were prepared in class. Local wine, water and caffè included.

Day 3: Noble Wine of Montepulciano & Cooking Class 2

• Breakfast is served.
• After breakfast, transfer to Montepulciano the town of Vino Nobile, the noble wine. Visit the Tower of the Town Hall, the Temple of San Biagio and the beautiful landscape from the Val D’Orcia to the Val di Chiana and Lake Trasimeno.
• Visit to the vineyards and the cellar of the traditional Nobile wine for a wine tasting and typical products, salami, cheeses, olive oils.
• Return to the Villa in the afternoon.
• In the afternoon, meet Chef Salvatore for your second hands-on cooking class where you will prepare an antipasto, pasta, main  course and dessert.
• Dinner follows and everyone dines on the foods that were prepared in class. Local wine, water and caffè included.

Day 4: Departure & Arrivederci!

• Breakfast is served.
• Check out and departure. Arrivederci!

*Note: This schedule may vary due to inclement weather, saint days or festivals. All activities, in the event of rescheduling, are always included during the program.