We are proposing a visit to several key Tuscan wine regions where the greatest Sangiovese is grown: Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico and Chianti Rufina, and Vino Nobile di Montepulicano. Within each region we will visit a great estate to tour and taste such as Il Poggione in Brunello, Poliziano in Vino Nobile, Castello di Volapia, Badia a Coltibuono, Antinori, and Selvapiana in Chianti. We are in discussion with several estates to host a lunch and a dinner in addition to a tour and tasting.
Note: Our group trips are available to women only. However, our wine collaborations will include both men and women.
Proposed Itinerary:
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MAY 17
Arrival in Florence
Cultural Experience
Rooftop cocktails and welcome dinner
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MAY 18-22
Daily program will include: cultural experiences of different kinds, specialty shopping, lunch and dinner with the exception of one lunch and one dinner on your own.
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MAY 22
Closing dinner
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MAY 10
Departure
What's Included
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5 Nights in 5-Star Accommodations
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All Tastings and Experiences
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Transportation Throughout the Wine Country
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All Guide Fees & Tips Associated with Our Visits
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4 Lunches & 5 Dinners
who we are
Woody & Belinda
Belinda Nixon created Riccio fashion in 2015 with a focus on retailing curated collections of small, niche European fashion and accessory labels whose designs focus on details, fabric quality and manufacturing practices. In May of 2022, Riccio launched Riccio Travel as an arm of her fashion business, taking small groups of women to Florence, Italy for art, culture and fashion experiences that are off the touristic beaten path. Belinda has an extensive knowledge of Florence that she enthusiastically enjoys sharing with others.
Fernando “Woody” de Luna, founder of Vintages 2.0, CWE (Certified Wine Educator) is a well known wine expert in Texas. In 2023 he celebrates 45 years in the wine trade; 22 years as a fine wine retailer in Austin from 1978 to 1989 and in San Antonio from 2011 through the present. In both cities he founded a leading specialist wine store, Vintages in Austin and then Vintages 2.0 in San Antonio. In between he spent 17 years as the wine educator for the regional wholesaler, Block Distributing which then became Republic National Distributing Co. Before joining the wine trade, he taught English at Pan American University, now known as University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in Edinburg, Texas.
FAQs
What kind of wines do we learn about?
The Chianti trip focuses on the best of the Sangiovese region which includes Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino. We will make a clockwise trip traveling from Florence east then south and back up to our last stop at the famous Antinori main vineyard southwest of Florence.
Is there formal wine instruction on this trip?
Woody de Luna, my partner, is a Certified Wine Educator and has been in wine consulting and retail wine sales for over 40 years. Woody will be guiding us along with the individuals who work the estates we will visit. Woody will select wine at our meals.
What kind of accommodations will we stay in?
We will stay in a beautiful 4 star hotel in Florence for our first and last nights and 5 star luxury accommodations while in Chianti.4.
Does the fee include meals?
Yes, the fee includes all meals.
How do we get around to the different vineyards?
We will have a minibus taking us everywhere we need to go from our departure out of Florence on Monday and back to our hotel on Thursday.
Can the fee be paid by credit card?
Yes, there is a platform for payment directly through my site. You are also welcome to send a check and if so, the mailing address is:
2202 Camelback Drive
San Antonio, Texas, 78209
Please make the check payable to Riccio Travel.
What do I do if I have dietary restrictions?
Please inform us of your restrictions so we may make accommodations. No problem.
Is this trip double occupancy only?
No. We can also arrange single occupancy but need to know by the deadline.
What is the deadline to sign up?
For the Chianti trip the deadline is October 30, 2023Please remember, 20% of the trip total holds your place.
May we invite friends?
Absolutely! If there is room we are happy to have anyone you think would enjoy the trip!