2009 Gino Cuneo/Cana's Feast Wine Tour
Trip date: June 13 to June 25
Tour Italy's greatest wine regions with Gino Cuneo, founder of Cuneo Cellars, now Cana's Feast Winery.
Gino Cuneo's dream of showing off his favorite vineyards, wineries and secret places in Italy came to fruition three years ago when he led his first wine trip to the Italian wineries that originally inspired him to become an award-winning wine maker.
This year, Alessandra G. Ranghiasci, the young Italian countess who helped Gino devise his first trip, has invited Gino back on an ever-refined itinerary through Italy's three most famous wine producing regions: Tuscany, Piedmonte and Valpolicella.
During this two-week expedition, you will sample the best Italian wines and food, while you discover Italian cultural traditions and learn about what life was like in this history-rich country hundreds of years ago.
Gino's trip begins in Milan, where you can explore one of Italy's greatest cathedrals and the La Scala opera house.
Next, you will hit the road to Northeast Italy's luxurious Veneto region where you can sample Amarone and Recioto wines - the products of the ancient winemaking art of appassimento.
Leaving the north, you will try Italy's finest basalmic vinegar on your way to Umbria and Gubbio, Italy’s best preserved medieval village.
Here, Gino's friend Alessandra, the descendent of an ancient Umbrian family, will be waiting to wine and dine you on the “piano nobile ”(noble floor) of her ancestral 150-room palace.
Heading due west, you will travel to the renowned wine region of Tuscany where you can wash down Ribollita and other spectacular local dishes with a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile of Montepulciano. Along the way, you will meet some of Gino's and Alessandra's friends and local characters who will give you an authentic feel for the great province of Tuscany.
Next, it will be time to experience the beautiful Italian Riviera, concentrating on the picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre ”(the Five Lands: Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia and RioMaggiore). Visiting each village will give you insight into yet another side of Italy -- a refreshing seaside atmosphere and a very different culinary tradition. You will try hand-made pasta in a 20-house village in the mountains and take an unforgettable stroll on Lover's Lane, one of the most romantic and scenic Mediterranean seaside walks. Both Alessandra and Gino have ancestry in this region so they are excited for you to experience Liguria at its best.
Finally, you will complete a full circle by going back north to Piedmont, where you will receive an intimate introduction to the Nebbiolo grape from a local viticulturalist in his privately-owned vineyard. The full bodied Barolo and Barbaresco, two of the world’s finest wines, come from this region and you can try them accompanied by Polenta con Cinghiale (wild boar).
By the time you get to Turin a grand finale will be awaiting you -- a farewell feast worthy of a Savoy King.
In all of these celebrated wine regions you will walk through ancient vineyards and remote hill towns where every vine plays a fundamental role in the life of each village.
Your Journey:
1 night in Milan
2 nights on Garda Lake
2 nights in Gubbio
2 nights in the Tuscan countryside
2 nights in the Cinque Terre
2 nights in Piedmont
1 night in Turin
Pre-trip: 2 nights on Como Lake and an exploration of the Valtalina! Here the semi-dried Nebbiolo grape is transformed into the delicate but forceful Sforzato wine.
Trip Facts:
US$4,190 per person in double room (land only)
Pre-trip to Lake Como and the Valtalina: $750
What's included in your trip:
· Accommodation in carefully selected, centrally-located boutique hotels and charming country inns
· All ground transportation in a deluxe air-conditioned private bus
· All breakfasts, two lunches and 10 dinners/feasts (at least 3 courses with wine!), including a special dinner at Alessandra's palazzo.
· 24-hour services of a professional M&G tour manager
· Entrance to museums and attractions as per itinerary
· Cooking class
· 6 wine tastings: 2 in the Veneto region, 2 in Tuscany (including Montepulciano and Montalcino) and 2 in the Piedmont region..
- Balsamic vinagre tasting
- Olive oil tasting
- Travel insurance (not including pre-trip cancellation -- but this can be booked at an additional price should you need to cancel the trip prior to departure).
What is not included:
- International airfare
- Personal expenses
- Tips to M&G driver and guide
RESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW WITH A $500 DEPOSIT. THIS TOUR WILL SELL OUT!
Call 503 715 5583 or email: info@mg-expeditions.com |
