Where the heck are we now?: A Day in the Tuscan Countryside

We are now staying in Siena which is in the Tuscany region of Italy, a little south of Florence and more of a rural area. We wanted to get out in the countryside so we booked a tour with Tuscan Escapes and went for the day.

Sylvia and her husband Milo own this company and because of its' high reviews we chose to spend the day with them and it worked out well. Sylvia picked us up in Siena along with 3 other couples and we spent the day exploring the Chianti area which is well known for Chianti Classico wines.

As we left town and drove higher and higher into the countryside the views were beautiful. Here are some of the shots from the van window, not the greatest but gives an idea of the beauty of the area...

Lots of fields of vines

Rolling hills

Lots of cypress trees which remind me I am in Tuscany.

We visited a number of smaller towns which were so beautiful, here life is lived at a slower pace and the local people were out enjoying the day.

It was market day so we had a little time to stroll through to take a look at what was for sale...

Fresh produce and vegetables

Now which one will I choose...

I think l would like to live in a place where every day I could go to the market to choose fresh produce and flowers.

We couldn't refuse some freshly roasted, still warm porchetta.

Don always checks out the baccala (salt fish).This filletto was 14 dollars a pound!

Italians like to stroll and sit so there are many inviting spots do both.

These women were sharing their food and wine for lunch.

Part of our group exploring the medieval walls...

Such pretty doorsteps...

Quiet little cobblestone streets

We then further up the mountain to a very small vineyard called Conte Corta which is owned by Marco and his family. He produces about 4000 bottles of wine a year and 400 bottles of olive oil.

Marco telling us about his vineyard.

What a view...

We had lunch with Marco and his neice as his wife was away.

We ate al fresco and this was our view.

The food was simple Tuscan fare paired with Marco's wines. He produces Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Reserva and then his own blend of a SuperToscana wine. They were all delicious but as they were aged they became more expensive.

His neice explaining the wines...

Marco serving the wines...

We were served many courses such as this spinach and ricotta pie

Local pecorino cheeses with flavoured honey

My favourite, Tuscan beans, grown on his land and served with his own olive oil.

We also had pasta, toasted bread with garlic, cured meats, salads and the list goes on.

We finished with biscotti that we dipped in his finest wine, a nice ending to a great meal...

We look satisfied...

Marco also showed us around his property including the olive grove where the trees are full and waiting for the harvest in November.

We finished the day with a visit to a medium sized winery that produces about 250,000 bottles a year and sells it all through their winery as they don't export.