Tuscany is a big and varied wine region but this trip concentrated on the Chianti Classico region for three days and the Montepulciano/Montalcino area south of Siena for a further three days. This is merely one of the wine –packed days in the Classico region around Gaiole.

Steaming cappuccino and full buffet breakfast on the terrace of our hotel overlooking the vines surrounding Gaiole-in-Chianti.

Official documents dating back to 1215 show Gaiole's importance as a trading post and center of wine production. For four centuries the province of Gaiole was considered the border between Florence and Siena and was consequently a target for raids and plundering until the definitive fall of Siena in 1555. Hence the presence of numerous fortified castles, including our hotel and many of the wineries we visit.

Wine Aficionados (WA) to nearby Riecine for a tasting with winemaker Sean O'Callaghan and cellar master Tom Shobbrook. A quick visit of the vines to understand this small but very highly respected estate's organic approach to farming before a vertical tasting of their Riserva and Super Tuscan La Gioa wines.

Non-Wine Aficionados (NWA) to the Chianti Cashmere estate where unique skin care products and exquisitely woven scarves are produced from this local free-ranging herd of goats.

WA carry on to the Fattoria Felsina where owner Giuseppe Mazzocolin awaits to show us his exquisite estate and then lead the tasting through various top vintages of his Chianti Classico, Riserva, Riserva Rancia and Super Tuscan Fontalloro.

NWA to Castello di Volpaia for a hands-on cooking lesson with owner Giovanella Stianti-Mascheroni followed by a visit of the olive oil mill and vin santo attic.

All regroup for lunch at Volpaia where we dine with Giovanella in her private garden enjoying the various courses prepared during this morning's cooking lesson.

Castello di Volpaia
The first record of Volpaia dates to the 12th century when it was part of the estate of Coltibuono. For centuries Volpaia was in the middle of the bloody battles between the two Republics of Florence and Siena and in 1478 the armies of Siena and Naples attacked Florence from the valley of Staggia. While other Florentine castles and holdings in the region were completely destroyed, Castello di Volpaia was seized by the attacking armies for use as a barracks. In 1480 Volpaia was won back by the Florentines, but continued as a scene of battle until 1555 when Siena fell for the last time to the Duke of Tuscany. After 1555 Volpaia lost its warlike character and transformed into a bustling little agricultural town. In the early 1960s a Florentine printer and publisher began to buy up parcels of land around Volpaia as well as various properties in town. His daughter, Giovannella Stianti-Mascheroni took over in the mid-1970s and has since transformed Volpaia into one of the most prestigious wine and olive oil producers in Tuscany.

No doubt we will return to our hotel quite late in the afternoon but there should be time to relax and enjoy the spa, pool and lovely grounds of our hotel, Castello di Spaltenna.

Dinner at Castello di Fonterutoli, owned by the Family Mazzei since 1435. Fonterutoli still preserves its original aspect of a tranquil country hamlet, consisting of a few houses, the Church of San Miniato and a villa that replaced the fortified castle of the Middle Ages. The estate covers a total area of 1200 acres in four very different wine regions and Filippo Mazzei joins us for dinner to present the whole range of his wines – Castello di Fonterutoli and Siepi from Tuscany and Belguardo and Serrata from the Maremma – that match perfectly with the meal.

extended Family Mazzei

Castello di Spaltenna, Gaiole-in-Chianti, is an ancient feudal hamlet dating from the 9th century. The complex consists of the bell tower, castle and numerous medieval buildings which have been beautifully renovated and integrated into a 45 room hotel with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, sauna, steam room, spa and tennis court. High on a hill and surrounded by rolling vineyards and forests, it would be hard to imagine a more breathtaking view.