An exceptional cooking class with lunch in a beautiful organic farm
followed by fine wine tasting in an ancient tuscan castle
The organic Farm Fattoria dell’Orto degli Ulivi invites you to join in a unique tour in the beautiful Florentine countryside a few kilometers from Florence.
Fattoria dell’orto degli Ulivi dates back to the year 1200 and is nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside. In the Farm you will find vineyards, olive groves, farm animals grazing, extensive forests and a lovely refreshing pool. The farm is run by a loving and welcoming family: Antonio, Lara, Rocco, Sofia and Matilde. Their goal is to make their guests feel as if they were at home.
GOURMET FOOD & WINE TOUR PROGRAM:
9.30 am: Arrival at the farm and meet your hosts with a cold drink and a seasonal snack
10.00 am: Farm tour begins with collecting eggs from the chicken coop and harvesting vegetables from the garden.
10.15 am: Olive oil tasting accompanied by special beers brewed by neighboring Tuscan farms
10.30 am: Cooking class begins. Each guest will be provided with a beautiful embroidered farm apron, a wooden rolling pin and a knife for chopping … be ready to knead the dough and roll the pasta to the music!!!
Then we will make roast pork tenderloin with capers and thyme, roasted potatoes from the farm, freshly picked salad and for dessert Lara will teach you how to cook tiramisu!!
1.00 pm: Students set the table and lunch is served!
2.30 pm: Lara and her family give their final greeting with the following gifts for you to keep: the farm apron, a written menu of what you cooked and a final photo that they will send you later by email.
2.45 pm: Load into the 8 seat van and drive to the Castle Volognano to arrive around 4.30 pm.
CASTLE VOLOGNANO
Castle Volognano dates back to the eleventh century. It was built in the age of Lombard for the purposes of defence. High on a hill with a vast panorama it was an advantageous position for observation of the surrounding territories.
Since the times of Dante and Petrarch, Castle Volognano has welcomed many illustrious characters, including more recent visits by Gioacchino Rossini, Carducci, and Enrico Fermi.
The Castle is located in the heart of Chianti Colli Fiorentini just two steps from Florence and sits at an altitude of about 400 meters. The property consists of about 200 acres, mostly vineyards and olive groves, which completely surround the castle. In order to preserve the local heritage, cultivation of vineyards is encouraged with a particular focus on “native” grapes that enhance the wines, such as Sangiovese, Colorino, Canaiolo, Malvasia and Trebbiano Toscano. These native vineyards have their own signature aromas and flavors and enhance the wine of a territory already characterized by a great history in wine cultivation. Their wines are the result of a careful quality management at every stage of the production process.
The cellar of the Castle is open for tastings, direct wine sales, food and wine workshops, as well as lunches and dinners for small groups. Guests are also welcome to visit the agricultural museum where you can see the tools used in times past for working the land and vineyards. The Castle, thanks to it’s careful renovation, also has rooms and suites available for rent. Castle Volognano is a charming place with splendid rooms and gardens and makes a perfect location for weddings and exclusive events.
WINE TASTING WITH GOURMET BITES
In the cellar of the Castle, you will be able to taste the wines of Castle Volognano paired with Tuscan snacks such as salamis, prosciutto and other cold cuts of meat, delicious cheeses from the local region, bruschetta topped with extra virgin olive oil produced on the castle.
The food and wine tastings are preceded by a visit to the vineyards and the agricultural museum.
6.30 pm: departure from the Castle and return to the Farm.
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