After doing a search, I see that several of you are familiar with the Castello di Verrazano, so am hoping you can help...

How much in advance do I need to make a wine tour reservation and what is the best way to contact them? Also, do you recommend having lunch there or should we wait and hit one of the nearby towns instead?

Are there other smaller not-to-miss Chianti wineries that you would recommend visiting as well?

Thanks,
Jody

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

Jody, my wife and I did the tasting at Verazzano last October and it was a treat. Pauline Priorie set it up for us. To answer your question directly, they will bring different "cold cuts" and bread with each wine that you will taste, therefore, I did not feel the need to do lunch after the "tasting". I am trying to put Verazzano in my plans again when we return to Italy in October. Here is their web site, I'd suggest e-mailing them to set up your tour and tasting. I will warn you now, this is not like like a typicaly tasting here in the U.S., this will be an experience you will enjoy.

Castello di Verazzano

If you have trouble with the site, please let me know, this is the URL for DSL connection, there is a slower connection

Gregg

PS: watch thew video if you can, the room with the vin santo grapes smelled heavenly

Thanks for their info and for your review of your experience there, Gregg. Sounds like you were really sold on this place!

Jody

Jody, our time there mirrrored Gregg's. You can read about it in my trip report - just page down to Monday's adventure.

Kim
Check Out My Italy Planning/Trip Blog

It is fabulous castle Here in Greve they don't celebrate Colombus day but Giovanni of Verrazzano day as he (with Amerigo VEspucci) actually came into Hudson Bay and "discovered " AMerica!!! It is in April I believe!

They also have wild boars on the property and make a decent balsamic vinegar!

I don't consider the sliced meats a meal, and there are so many great places to eat.. you won't need a meal after though. But there are tons of great places to eat in the area.
My dining guide for Chianti !

Cooking in Florence
www.divinacucina.com

Be sure to try the wines of Fontodi when you are in the area. Villa Caffagiko is also quite fine. A little farther south are La Leccia and FOInterutoli both just outside Castellina. You can eat at Osteria Di Fonterutoli and taste their wines by the glass.

Wine Notes
Tuscan Restaurant List
Dean's Wine, Opera and Food Blog
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You can make a reservation for the tour and tasting (read lunch) by calling 011-39-055-85-42-41. Last time I took clients there it was 20euro for tour w/out tasting and 32 euro with tasting. They also have a web site www.verrazzano.com and e-mail info@verranzzano.com . Most tours are given by Gino Rossi who is married to an American. He loves the wine is life and Italian wine and food is the best life philosophies. He is Florentine and speaks excellant English.


www.TuscanTraveler.com

[fixed verranzzo link]

[This message was edited by Marta on 25 August 2003 at 02:07 PM.]

one of my favorite wines by verrazano is the Bottigla Particulare, the label is a silk clothing label!
They also have a lovely wine bar right downtown florence that I adore!
only their wines by the glass or by the bottle, and great snacking foods!

There is also the new Enoteca tasting room by the COOP in Greve, a fabulous place to Taste wines and buy them!!!

it is also on my site!

Cooking in Florence
www.divinacucina.com

Diva we love the particulare too - I believe we have two bottles left in our "cellar".

The wine bar's great also for enjoying a tasting without a tour (and then you can stop in perche no, right across the street!)

Kim
Check Out My Italy Planning/Trip Blog

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions and links. Am taking notes like mad!

Only have 10 days this time around (as opposed to our previous 3 week trips), so have to keep repeating the mantra: "Slow Travel...Slow Travel...Slow Travel"!!

Diva, I have made a list of many places that you have recommended on your site - thanks so much! Just wish we had a little more time to try them all out!! ... :::"Slow Travel...Slow Travel...Slow Travel"!! :::

Jody

Could someone please re-post the correct email address for Verrazzano? For some reason my email didn't go through at the address posted above.

Thanks,
Jody

I bet it has just been typed incorrectly. I would try info@verrazzano.com instead or click on Contact Us link on their web page.

Thanks for the address correction, Marta. This time it went through.

Jody