Tuesday 24^th September p.m.

We just had time to check into our rooms before setting off by bus to visit boutique wine producer Querciabella in the Chianti area near Greve.

Querciabella’s winery with magnificent views

This specialized winery practices a proprietery framing regime which bars the use of animal-derived products from all phases of grape growing and winemaking.  Their 183 acres of Chianti Classico vineyards in the municipalities of Greve, Panzano, Radda and Gaiole represent the largest areas of biodynamically farmed vineyards in Italy.  These areas serve as a sanctuary for thriving numbers of honeybee colonies.

Wow – what a view from their winery – this is true Chianti country – rows of vines stretch away over and down hills into the horizon, with the odd village on a hilltop.  Amarone is made here and  aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 3 years – that adds a very strong oaky flavor to the wine we taste that evening at their local  restaurant Lamole, beautifully situated on top of the hill just behind the vineyard – the perfect place for sunset photos.

Our best night of the whole trip at the Ristoro di Lamole!

A great evening had by all, was that because of the Amarone? Or the cheese?

The pleasure of good company, location, wine and food of course!

This huge aged Manchego cheese from Spain has just arrived!

The best way to eat Mancheo (or Pargmiggiono)!

Susan’s bit of marketing genius in Chianti!

Some of the wines we tasted at Querciabella