Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9am-7pm Mon-Fri & 11am-7pm Sat & Sun Mar-Dec, 9am-6pm Mon-Fri Jan & Feb)
where you can
taste the estate's well-regarded Chianti Classico.
Castello di Ama
( 0577 74 60 31;
http://arte.castellodiama.com
;
guided tours €15, with wine & oil tasting €35; year
round, by appt)
This highly regarded estate produces a range of wines including the interna-
tionally renowned 'L'Apparita' Merlot, the 'Haiku' Sangiovese/Cabernet Franc/Merlot
blend and a delicious 'Vigneto Bellavista' Chianti Classico. In recent years it has also de-
veloped a sculpture park showcasing 13 site-specific artworks by artists including Louise
Bourgeois, Chen Zhen, Anish Kapoor, Kendell Geers and Daniel Buren. Guided tours of
the cellar, villa and sculpture park are in English, French, Italian or German. You'll find
the estate 11km southwest of Gaiole, near Lecchi in Chianti.
WINERY
Castello di Volpaia
( 0577 73 80 66;
www.volpaia.it
;
Località Volpaia)
Wines, olive oils, vinegars and honey have
been produced for centuries at this estate based in the medieval hill-top hamlet of Volpaia
(the estate's name is misleading, as there's no actual castle here). Book ahead to enjoy a
tour of the cellars, or pop into its
enoteca,
which is inside the main tower
.
While here, consider enjoying a snack at
Bar Ucci
(
www.bar-ucci.it
; crostoni €4.50-6, antipasti
plates €8, salads €4-8; 8am-9pm Tue-Sun)
or a more formal meal at
Ristorante La Bottega
(
0577 73 80 01;
www.labottegadivolpaia.it
; meals €25; noon-2.30pm & 7.30-10pm Wed-Mon Easter-
Jan)
, a pretty restaurant serving
cucina contadina
(food from the farmers' kitchen). Both
are operated by members of the local Barucci family, and are located on the main square
of the hamlet. The restaurant's outdoor terrace (which has lovely views) is next to the
Baruccis' productive kitchen garden.
WINERY
Sleeping
Ostello del Chianti
( 055 805 02 65;
www.ostellodelchianti.it
;
Via Roma 137, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa; dm €14-16, q with
private/shared bathroom €70/76; reception 8.30-11am & 4pm-midnight, hostel closed Nov-mid-Mar;
)
This is one of Italy's oldest hostels and though it occupies an ugly building in
the less-than-scenic town of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, the friendly staff and bargain prices
compensate. Dorms max out at six beds and bike hire can be arranged for €8 per day.
Breakfast costs €2. Florence is easily accessed by SITA bus (€3.30, one hour).
HOSTEL
€
