Onto a day of two wine tastings....I believe we are now sufficiently trained in this department. Here the owner is explaining his operation overlooking the vines that have been harvested for this season.
This is a mid-sized vineyard. Our first vineyard would produce approximately 14,000 bottles in a year. This one has a production rate closer to 80,000 bottles per year.
These grapes are being stored for a highly specialized sweet wine. The grapes will remain on the racks and will gradually dry out and look like raisins when turned into wine in February. Production rates for this type of wine are very low and it is very tricky and costly to produce.
Onto a tasting of these Chianti wines....what a perfect setting once again!
This is the little out building and kitchen where the tasting was coordinated from.
Wines that are on display for retail.
Down in the cellars we go.
Although initially Vincenzo wanted us to sing Happy Birthday, instead we toasted our gracious hosts that provided the tasting and tour of their vineyards.
How about these accompaniments....local meats, cheeses and pate and breads.
Mirth and merriment abound on this beautiful mid-afternoon!
If you listen closely, you can hear the bees that have a nest inside this wall. Great for pollinating the grapes!
Off to the Brolio Castle tour and vineyard number 2. Here are a few shots of the views from this property. This is a much larger operation and has it's own castle as part of the premises.
The Archie Girls!
A peak into the family chapel.
What a vantage point this castle has.
How many wonderful sites can you shoot in a single trip? Here is their formal garden.
Vincenzo and a quick pose on the wall with the valley below.
Here is a private room that is not part of the normal tour. Very impressive furnishings and wall decorations (Illuminations, tapestries and armoured figures).
Barrels and barrels....this vineyard distributes internationally and was briefly owned by Seagram's. It is at the next level of distribution and I believe produces a little bit over 1 million bottles annually.
Onto their tasting...a little bit more formal than the others.
The son of the previous vineyard joins us for the evening meal also at the Castle.
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