Tags
chianti, italy, Lucca, Photography, Sangiovese, travel, Tuscany, Vin Santo, wine tasting
Before leaving Australia for Italy, I was undecided as to whether I would celebrate my birthday in Australia or in Italy.
The decision was made when my cousin phoned me one day to say that they would be in Italy in May. We then worked out where approximately in Italy they would be and where I would like to be and then chose to rent an apartment in Lucca. And consequently celebrate the birthday in Lucca.
The next question was, what shall we do on the day. For me, not a difficult decision, I wanted to do an Italian wine tasting tour. Everyone was excited to do that. So we chose The Chianti Wine tasting tour.
We were picked up in Lucca by the tour director and coach driver. After driving for about an hour or so we arrived at the Sommavilla farmhouse and boutique winery which is not far from the village of Vinci. Sommavilla is a 30 hectare property producing wine and olive oil. 20 hectares of olive trees; 10 hectares of vines.
Upon arrival it was almost easy to forget why we were here, the Tuscan views were breathtaking.
We were met by the owners who firstly gave us an interesting insight into olive oil production before a short tour of the wine making area.
Afterwards, we went outside and sat at long tables where we were served generous glasses of their own local wines. Along with a tasting experience of the typical Tuscan ‘antipasto’: which included bruschetta with delicious extra-virgin olive oil and tomatoes, salami and pecorino cheese and their locally grown olives.
We enjoyed their crisp white wine, followed by 2 red wines and a fabulous true chianti wine. Chianti wine must contain 70% of Sangiovese to be called Chianti.
This was followed by the grand finale Vin Santo which is a sweet dessert wine and served with cantucci – a sweet biscotti which you “dunk” in the vin santo
After several hours, along with our new wine tasting friends, we re joined the coach and travelled back to Lucca.
A great time was had by all as we sang our way home
Glad you’re having a good time. Nice to meet you at last!
Thanks Francis. It was also nice to meet you
There is no better place to spend your birthday than Italy. Happy birthday Lyn. My birthday, Jo Anne’s and our anniversary us all in May.
Va bene. May is the best month. Happy everything to you and Jo Anne. Thanks George
Nice way to celebrate your birthday, Lyn! Buon Compleanno!🍷🍷🍷
Thanks Margie. Yes very special
Happy Birthday Lyn!
Thanks Roberto
Wine tasting… what a perfect birthday!
Thanks Andrew it was perfect
I’m going to be having my birthday in Italy in September, your post has me all excited! I will be in a tiny village in Le Marche. Not sure what I will do but I’ll write a post too. I hope it’s half as special as yours. :)
I had a birthday in Le Marche a few years ago and it was the best. Yours will be very special
Looking forward to your post. Unfortunately my birthday is in February when our house is too cold to stay in. But we’ll be celebrating our ruby wedding in Le Marche next week? !
It would have been a very happy birthday celebrating in this special way. Hope the rest of your holiday is as happy as your birthday celebration.Thanks for inviting us along to share the happies. xxxx gg
Thanks Gail. I had a toast to all of my beautiful friends back home. It was a fabulous day. My cousin bought me the most beautiful cake which we had at brunch with singing and candle xx
Buon compleanno Tesoro…sono contento che hai passato una bella giornata in questo meraviglioso posto….tanti auguri e bacioni xox
Grazie Tesoro. It was a magic day. I am now in Arezzo having a cafe espresso with my breakfast Bacioni
Happy birthday lyn!!!!! Have a Nice time In italy !!!! Nice picture, good time with friends!!! Kiss Liane Enviado do meu iPhone
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Thank you Liane. I am now in Arezzo. Bella xx
Auguri!
Thanks Georgie
What a beautiful post and what a beautiful way to spend your birthday. 😘 I wish I had been there to celebrate with you. So glad you had a wonderful birthday. Xx
Thanks Leah. It was very special and I am sure that you would have loved it xx
Fabulous way to celebrate your birthday!
Yes Linda it was fabulous. Very Italian with lots of Aussies there also
What a wonderful way to spend your Birthday – We were thinking of you. Hope the rest of your trip is fabulous,,Love Kay & Peter
Thanks Kay. It was certainly fabulous. I knew that you were thinking of me. I am now in Arezzo. Bella xx
Happy Birthday Lyn. What a fabulous way to spend it. You looked lovely.
Thanks Alana. Lovely to hear from you
A birthday you will always remember xx
Yes Mary. I will. Am now back in Bagni di Lucca from Arezzo
Wonderful way to celebrate. Happy belated birthday!
Thanks Joan it certainly was Lyn
Buon compleanno🎉 I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than surrounded by vino🍷 I hope you were able to listen to Puccini while in Lucca too. Ciao, Cristina
Thanks Cristina. It was Fabulous and very special. Yes of course I was able to listen to Puccini. I am currently up in the Garfagnana mountains at Deb’s place
Le foto che mi hai mandato sono veramente belle…grazie tesoro. come vorrei essere li’ con te ad assaporare i buoni cibi locali e bere un buon prosecco….comunque divertiti anche senza di me…haha e spero che faccia buon tempo sulle montagne. Bacioni Peter
What a good idea. Must see if there is anything as well organised available in Le Marche.
I would imagine that there would be. A full day of celebrating is pretty special
Happy Birthday Lyn, a bit late:) Your choice for the day is exactly what I would have wanted to do. Loved your post!
Thanks Susan. It was perfect and just so easy
A belated happy birthday to you! What agreat way to celebrate. I’ve been dying to know where you are staying so Ican’t wait until you repost the apartment!
Thanks Janie. It was a perfect day. We stayed at Le Antique scale in Via Guinigi. When I catch my breath I will re write the post
What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday!!
It certainly was. It was all about the day with a little bit of birthday.
What a lovely birthday! Unforgettable.
You are right, it is very unforgettable. Thanks for your comment Lyn
You’re so welcome! Have a food day.
What a brilliant way to spend your birthday!
Yes Ellie it was perfect. Can highly recommend it. Thanks for stopping by my blog Lyn
You have a lovely site. Thank you for visiting mine as well. 😊