The Chianti Masterpiece Siena™

The Unplugged Tuscany ~ 6 Days

Join us in Tuscany for a week of cooking and relaxation.  Our Unplugged Collection offers each guest an experience to check in, detach and unwind at a superb Tuscany property selected for its dreamy location, serene surroundings and spa.  As life’s demands increase, so does our own need to disconnect from the hectic lifestyle and reconnect with our soul.  Experience a week of pampering and total relaxation in the one-of-a-kind Unplugged cooking and wine tour.  Rediscover the delights of a quiet morning spent reading, stroll through vineyards and olive orchards, sit on the green grass and meditate or simply lie by the swimming pool and soak up the sun.

Join Signor Francesco, chef, wine maker and sommelier in his Tuscan kitchen for our utterly relaxing cooking and wine program in Chianti, Tuscany. Gentle sweeping hills adorned with pristine vineyards and grey-green olive groves, pretty country churches and imposing stone castles provide the backdrop for your Unplugged vacation. Set on nearly 15 acres of vineyards and producing award-winning wines, this beautiful property where you’ll discover unique organic wines, their many healing properties and hidden health secrets – with a grape-skin vinotherapy bath and massage. Tour the property’s vineyard and cantina and sip and swirl while learning about Chianti Classicos, Super Tuscans, whites and rose.  Enjoy long lunches and dinners paired with the property’s reds, rose and whites with Signor Francesco, an award-winning vintner in the property’s wine tasting room or dining room.  Set in a historic borgo,  surrounded by fields, vineyards, and olive groves and rolling hills, get ready to prepare authentic Tuscan fare, sip wine, and even let your creativity bloom with a painting class hosted by a local artist

Gaiole in Chianti

Gaiole in Chianti is located approximately 40 km southeast of Florence and northeast of Siena in the Chianti hills.  This region of Tuscany is well known for its artisan cheese, salumi, olives and oils, breads and honey too. Join us in Chianti in Gaiole – between Medieval villages and farms – where wine enthusiasts, connoisseurs and sommeliers sip, swirl and dine on exquisite Tuscan cuisine.

Chianti Cooking Classes

Tie on your apron with Chef Fabio who will lead you in hands-on cooking classes preparing Tuscan fare with produce from the local garden and nearby farmer’s market.   His philosophy of farm-to-table and zero kilometer, meaning all produce and ingredients must be grown or produced less than one kilometer away, rules.  Chef Fabio, nicknamed, un buon gustai, Tuscan food lover, will have you cooking like a Tuscan making antipasti, pasta, risotto, main courses and desserts – with Vin Santo – the blessed dessert wine!

Tuscan recipes use simple seasonal ingredients, often called, farmers’ recipes – think Panzanella: a tomato salad with Tuscan bread, basil, and olives, pappa al pomodoro: Tuscan tomato and bread soup; pici, traditional Tuscan pasta in a garlic and tomato sauce; Tuscan lasagna, risotto, with porcini, truffle or pumpkin; slow-roasted  chicken pork loin and duck.  Dessert is a must including traditional cantuccini and tiramisù.

Each cooking class is two to three hours long.  Following each cooking class, everyone dines together enjoying the food that was prepared in the class paired with Signor Francesco’s Tuscan wine included.

Vinotherapy

The skin from the Sangiovese grape is used in the property’s unique vinotherapy treatments. The grape has stress-reducing properties, so the soak is sure to be relaxing, regenerating your skin and invigorating your spirit. Start off your treatment with a face and body massage, and finish off with the wine bath.

 

Chianti Accommodations

Imagine a beautifully restored Tuscan villa nestled cozily in the Chianti hillside – check in and relax for your Unplugged Cooking Vacations.  Each class room and suite are marked by distinctive and charming decorations – one suite has a bed made of wood using antique oak barrels. Comfort bedding and Italian linens are included.  Each room offers traditional terracotta tiles, exposed stonework and beams along with furnishings that have been carefully chosen to reflect the traditional Tuscan style and comfort. Each bedroom has a private bathroom (some equipped with hydromassage), mini bar, TV, air conditioning, some of which boast private living rooms, and others with private terraces.

There are also super suites and apartments that are available for families and groups of different sizes.

Click for Property Photo Gallery

Itinerary: 6 Days, 5 Nights

Day 1: Arrival & Check In

• Transfer from Florence airport to the property.
• Check in.  Take time to relax and enjoy your welcome Prosecco.
• Join vintner, Signor Francesco, for a vineyard tour through the property and cantina.
• Later in the evening, a Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner including a full course menu featuring local fare with wine included.

 

Day 2: Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, discover the property, take a dip in the swimming pool or play tennis or badminton on the property.
• In the afternoon, meet Chef Fabio for your Cooking Class 1.  You will prepare a three-course traditional Tuscan menu. After the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the cooking class with a toast of wine from the property, included.

 

Day 3: Vinotherapy Wine Bath, Vertical Wine Tour with Tastings & Tuscan Wine Dinner

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, check into the property’s spa and relax with a massage and wine bath using the skins of the Sangiovese grape.
• In the afternoon, join your host Francesco for a vertical wine tour with tastings. Visit the winery and cellar and taste 3 Chianti Classico in 3 vertical vintages.  Tastings are served with artisan Tuscan bread and pecorino cheese.
• Later in the evening, enjoy a Gourmet Tuscan dinner including a full course menu featuring local fare with wine included.

 

Day 4: Cooking Class 2

• Breakfast is served.
• Morning free to relax.

• In the late afternoon, meet Chef Fabio for your Cooking Class 2.  You will prepare Tuscan handmade pasta using the freshest ingredients with seasonal sauces. After the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the cooking class including a toast of wine from the property, included.

Day 5: Painting Class & Dinner

• Breakfast is served.
• Morning is free to relax, take a walk through the hills, swim or play tennis.
• In the afternoon, draw from the surrounding beauty for inspiration in your painting class with a local artist.  Hands-on experience this Tuscan art class using watercolor or sketching or oils.
• Later in the evening, enjoy a Gourmet Tuscan dinner including a full course menu featuring local fare with wine included.

Day 6: Check out and Arrivederci!

• Breakfast is served.
• Check out and transfer to the Florence airport.

*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 week.