Wednesday 25^th September 2013

We managed to arise in time for the bus to take us on a two hour drive West to the small town of Bolgheri, still within Chianti.  Most stayed behind to visit Florence, as they had never been there before.  So 6 of us shared the wines on offer by Grattamacco.  Here we were overcome with the gorgeous views, whilst a helicopter was buzzing backwards and forwards with enormous buckets of water from a nearby lake to put out a forest fire in those hills.

The estate is situated on a hill overlooking the Tyrrhenian sea at a height of 100 metres. There is No use of weed killers or insecticides in the vineyard.

At the Grattamocco winery we tried lots of ‘Super Tuscan wine’ made by mixing Cabernet Sauvignon  and Merlot with the Chianti Sangiovese grape.  More to our liking now. 

Their newly built cellars had beautiful stained glass windows inserted into their walls

This is the wine we enjoyed the most

The approach to Bolgheri -  a long line of Cypress trees

The important

wine maker (oenologist)  for the region just happens by as we take a look at the grapes on the vines.

BOLGHERI

The “Viale” that leads to the small village is immortalized in a poem about the Aurelian Way, a boulevard of centuries-old cypress trees almost 5 kilometres long.

The small town has been renovated by the founder of the present noble palace, Count Simone, and continued by his grandson and great-grandson.

Home made produce in the shop in Bolgheri, amongst many attractions now in the town.

Poet Nonna Lucia born 1772 died 1842 sitting in Bolgheri’s square

Enoteco Tognoni’s entrance in Bolgheri

Bart choosing the wines was fun with Pepe egging him on!

Lunch at the Enoteca Tognoni in the small ancient town of Bolgheri was an eye opener to the quantity of wine producers and labels on offer – on the shelves behind us.  A great way to sample some of the selections of this lovely region of Italy!

Gateway to Bolgheri, going out with after dinner drinks for the bus!

Brilliant stories by Sue has gives us a good laugh before a siesta on the way back!

Not surprising they slept on the way back to Florence!

Back by sunset again allows me time to take a quick walk over Ponte Vecchio

with the tourists being punted beneath

Loads of tourists on Ponte Vecchio at twilight

Santa Croce, Square,  square at twighlight

The largest square in Florence used in centuries past for spectacles of all kinds of spectacles