Wine, Sea and Culture in the Maremma
Text: EUROBUS
On the Tuscan coastal strip of the Maremma you will find not only ideal climatic conditions but also traces of the Etruscan era. In recent years, viticulture in this region has also been on the rise. Alfred Romann drove a group of wine lovers there and, over six days, visited the best-known wine estates and explored a few architectural insider tips.
Alfred has already driven coaches for Knecht Car. Since the 1980s he has travelled to the countries neighbouring Switzerland, but also to more distant places, as far as the North Cape and the then USSR. Now, retired from his main career in IT, he works as a part-time driver. The roads have changed a lot since 1980 too, says Alfred, who likes to travel by car in his private life: there is more congestion, but vehicles have become safer. And there were no satnavs back then either.
Striking landscapes and daily wine tastings
Guests on the Maremma wine tour stay for six nights at the Tombolo Talasso Resort***** in Marina di Castagneto Carducci. What Alfred particularly appreciates about the spa hotel is its beautiful, quiet location close to the sea, the luxurious ambience and the friendly staff. On the second day, the trip from Castagneto leads to the «Tenuta Ornellaia» wine estate in Bolgheri. For lunch, guests gather at the «Osteria del Tasso», where they get to know more regional wines. A walk through Bolgheri follows, home not only to Ornellaia but also to Sassicaia and Masseto. The wines that the group tastes during the day, Alfred tries at dinner, when he no longer has to drive.
You should not miss this short excursion to beautiful Bolgheri, says Alfred: here the group will find lovely shops and restaurants, the avenue of cypresses and of course the famous wines. Alfred's recommendation: try a mellow wine from Bolgheri.
What makes this trip in particular his favourite? The combination of superb cuisine and first-class wines is simply top, says Alfred. The region is also very varied: marshland here, striking landscapes and small hilltop villages there. The journey through the gentle countryside is pleasant, quite unlike the big cities of Italy – especially Naples and Rome, which present complicated traffic, Alfred explains.
From the Giardino dei Tarocchi to the Etruscan coast
Once he has arrived, he first freshens up and studies the tour programme. As a coach driver he is always a tour guide too, but on this trip a wine expert is along as well. Caroline Fehr, who spent her youth in Florence and has worked for the company Bindella Weine since 1998, regularly accompanies groups of wine lovers on wine tours to Italy.
On the third day, the group travels to the hilly hinterland near Grosseto: a tour, lunch and wine tasting at the «Fattoria Le Pupille» follow. Afterwards comes a visit to the Giardino dei Tarocchi. The best short excursion from Capalbio, in Alfred's opinion: «Some of the sculptures can be climbed».
There is plenty to discover in the enchanting little town of Castiglione della Pescaia: the striking castle, for example, or the view of the island of Giglio. The fourth day also includes a visit to a wine estate, this time «Le Mortelle». «Every grape is picked by hand here», says Alfred enthusiastically about the special cultivation and production method of this estate, which is ideally situated geographically. The next day follows a visit to the «Tenuta di Biserno» and finally, on the last day, to the «Petra» estate, built by the famous Swiss architect Mario Botta. In Follonica there is time for a visit to the weekly market and then a stroll in one of the loveliest towns on the Etruscan Riviera, Campiglia Marittima.
Here you can find the current Maremma wine tour:
https://www.car-rouge.ch/reise/weinreise-maremma/