Cuisine
Our mornings will be spent at the villa where we will take part in hands-on cooking classes led by gourmet chefs in Villa Bordoni’s state of the art facility.

Wine

We will visit some of Tuscany’s finest wineries, where we will enjoy private tours of wine cellars and guided wine tastings.

Dine

We will sample Tuscany’s best regional cuisine in carefully selected restaurants, sampling traditional local recipes and the finest gourmet fare.

History

Art historian guides will lead us through the legendary cities of Tuscany – Florence and Siena.

Luxury

While staying at the 16th century Villa Bordoni, you will step back in time as you are immersed in the history and beauty of this magical region.

Relax

You can ease into your culinary adventure accompanied by a bilingual wine expert (Sommelier certified in the Italian Association of Sommeliers), who will accompany you throughout your visit and will take care of arranging every detail to help you experience all the best Tuscany has to offer.

The 8 day, 7 night Itinerary

Day 1 - Intro to Tuscan wine and cuisine

Early afternoon rendezvous at Florence airport or train station and transfer via private van to accommodations at Villa Bordoniin the heart of the Chianti Classico region. Free time to rest, relax and settle in to the quiet Tuscan countryside. In the evening meet with Amy for a Welcome to Tuscany “mini wine course” including guided tasting of fine Tuscan wines, introduction to winemaking in Tuscany and wine tasting techniques. After our tasting class, put your knew knowledge to practice in a gourmet wine tasting dinner at the villa, created for us by Francesco and Massimo, the Villa’s Chef & Sommelier.

Day 2 – La Cucina Toscana

Cooking class & Chianti Classico wine tour

Cooking Class day 1: La Cucina Toscana - Intro to Tuscan cuisine

On the first day of our cooking course we will dive into the world of traditional Tuscany cuisine, learning to prepare a 4 course meal including Antipasto, Primo, Secondo and dessert. At the end of each class you will sit down to enjoy a casual lunch featuring the foods you have prepared together. In the afternoon we will tour the northern Chianti Classico region, stopping to visit some of the area’s finest wineries for guided tours and tastings followed by dinner at a fine local restaurant.

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Day 3 – Il Primo

Cooking Class & Siena by night

Cooking Class day 2: Il Primo - Pasta & Soup

On day two of our cooking course we will explore the Pastas and Soups of Tuscany. We will learn hands on to prepare home-made pasta of various kinds, such as Spaghetti alla Chitarra, Pappardelle, Ravioli and Tortelli. We will also explore the seasonal nature of Tuscany’s delicious soups learning to prepare recipes such as Pappa al Pomodoro and Ribollita. At the end of each class you will sit down to enjoy a casual lunch featuring the foods you have prepared together. After lunch and free time for relaxation, we will depart for a tour of Siena by night where we will enjoy a walking tour of the historic city centerguided by a local art historian. Free evening in Siena and dinner on your own.

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Day 4 –Pane & Pasticceria

Cooking Class & Carmignano Wine tour

Cooking Class day 3: Pane & Pasticceria  – Breads, Pizza and Pastries

On day 3 of our cooking course we will explore the delicious traditional baked goods of Tuscany, learning to prepare fresh breads and Focaccia as well as pizza directly in the Villa’s wood burning oven. We will also learn to prepare delicious regional sweets and pastries. At the end of each class you will sit down to enjoy a casual lunch featuring the foods you have prepared together. In the afternoon we will tour the beautiful Carmignano wine producing region in the hills outside Florence, stopping to visit one of the areas finest wineries for guided tour and tasting followed by a gourmet dinner.

Day 5 – Hike & Wine

Free day in the countryside – Optional Chianti Hike & Wine

Enjoy a free day to relax at the villa or choose to join us on a guided hike through the Chianti hills, stopping en route at a local winery for a guided tour of the cellars and wine tasting as well as a light lunch of local delicacies. In the evening return to the villa to taste the world famous beef of Tuscany with a Bistecca Fiorentina BBQ feast accompanied by an array of Tuscan reds.

Day 6 – Firenze

Cooking Class & Florence by night

Cooking class day 4 – Frutti di Mare – Seafood

On day 4 of our cooking course we will explore the Mediterranean sea and it’s bounty of fresh seafood, learning to prepare an array of gourmet seafood dishes. At the end of each class you will sit down to enjoy a casual lunch featuring the foods you have prepared together. In the afternoon we will move on to visit the city of Florence for a guided tour with a local art historian followed by dinner at one of Florence’s finest restaurants.

Day 7 – La Tradizione Toscana

Cooking Class & free afternoon

Cooking class day 5 – La Tradizione Toscana - Meat & Game

On day 5 of our cooking course we will learn about Tuscany’s most loved foods: meat and game. We will learn to prepare some of the region’s most traditional recipes and learn why the meat rich recipes of Tuscany are the perfect match for the region’s fine red wines. At the end of each class you will sit down to enjoy a casual lunch featuring the foods you have prepared together. After enjoying a free afternoon to relax at the villa meet for a our farewell feast: a winemaker’s dinner featuring a gourmet chef’s menu accompanied by the fine wines of a regional winery presented directly by the producer.

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Day 8 – Chianti Rùfina

Castles of Chianti Rùfina wine tour – Farewell

After our morning farewell to Villa Bordoni we will tour the exclusive Castles of Chianti Rùfina where we will be treated to a private tour of the Frescobaldi castle estates of Pomino (not open to the public) and Nipozzano. We will enjoy a private gourmet lunch at Nipozzano castle accompanied by estate wines. After the tour we will depart for the Florence airport or train station and farewell..

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The 8 day, 7 night Chianti Classico Culinary Adventure includes:

• 7 nights accommodations at 4 star luxury Villa Bordoni in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, including daily buffet breakfast, afternoon tea and all non-alcoholic beverages from the room’s mini-bar (wine and beer are charged extra)
• 5 day cooking course, lead by Francesco (head chef at the villa) and held at Villa Bordoni’s state of the art facilities
• 5 lunches at Villa Bordoni following the cooking classes
• 6 gourmet dinners with wine including: 2 gourmet wine theme dinners and Bistecca Fiorentina feast directly at the Villa
• Welcome to Tuscany guided tasting of Tuscan wines with intro to winemaking and tasting technique
• 1 private wine tasting lunch at Castello di Nipozzano
• Guided tours of Florence and Siena with local art historian/guides
• Personal hosting and guiding throughout the week provided by Amy who will accompany you on your journey into the fine foods and wines of Tuscany, sharing the history and culinary traditions of the region and its wines as well as taking care of logistics and arranging every detail to help you experience all the best Tuscany has to offer.
• Private transportation in an air-conditioned van for the duration of the tour including pick-up and drop-off at Florence airport or train station as well as all daily excursions
• Baggage assistance
• Restaurant and hotel gratuities
• Winery entrance and tasting fees
• All musuem entrance fees



Prices for the Chianti Classico Culinary Adventure vary according to your chosen accommodations
at Villa Bordoni as follows:

Classic double room – per person 3890 Euro (single supplement 780 Euro )

Superior double room – per person 3990 Euro (single supplement 890 Euro )

Junior suite – per person 4100 Euro (single supplement 990 Euro )

Colognole suite – per person 4350 Euro (single supplement 1230 Euro)

 

Rooms will be assigned on a first come first served basis so reserve in advance to ensure availability for your chosen accommodations. Tour will be held for minimum 6 participants

2006 Tour dates:

June 5-12   -  No Longer Available

November 6-13   -  Still Available!

~ Trip itinerary and dates can be customized for private groups.

Private tour supplement may apply ~

Tour highlights:

“Welcome to Tuscany” sommelier-guided tasting of fine Tuscan wines including an introduction to winemaking in Tuscany and wine-tasting technique. Five-day cooking class lead by Francesco, Villa Bordoni’s Head chef,  in the villa’s state of the art kitchen facilities. Winemaker’s dinner featuring a chef’s menu accompanied by the fine wines of a local winery. This Culinary Adventure will be hosted personally by Amy of diVino along with David and Catherine Gardner of Villa Bordoni and their staff.

 Villa Bordoni features 11 beautifully renovated rooms in 4 different categories, each with en suite luxury bath and all modern comforts.

About Villa Bordoni:

Villa Bordoni, an idiosynchratic 16 th century noble villa, nestled in the grey-green hills immediately above the town of Greve, capital of the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. It was discovered by the Gardner family in the winter of 2002. David and Catherine Gardner, both Scottish-born, are the founders and owners of successful Florentine restaurants ‘Baldovino’ and ‘Beccofino’. When discovered, the villa was in a dire condition and slowly decaying into the poetically beautiful landscape which surrounds it. Now that the house, its Italian garden and its six hectares of olive groves and vines have been lovingly restored to their former splendour, David and Catherine are looking forward to hosting you in their beautiful Tuscan Villa.

The villa’s facilities include:

Please keep in mind that Villa Bordoni is a non-smoking hotel (including the restaurant) and pets are not permitted.