Join Scott Thomas, Italian Wine Ambassador & Certified Educator, and Paula Thomas, Food Anthropologist & Chef, on a 5 day-6 night immersive food and wine experience in the heart of Chianti Classico in Tuscany.
SUNDAY, JUNE 2 - SATURDAY JUNE 8, 2024
Stay at a renovated Tuscan villa overlooking the Chianti hills exploring the traditional food and wine of Tuscany through visits with food producers, five multi-course lunches, dinners at locally-favored restaurants, plus two cooking classes leading into convivial dinners.
We’ll deep dive into Tuscan wines through a master class with Italian Wine Ambassador and Educator Scott Thomas, plus producer visits and numerous tastings, while rejoicing in daily Aperitivo, celebrating life Italian-style.
This experience is tailored for a small, intimate group of maximum 10 people, sharing many hours together, cooking, learning, laughing, and toasting.
Monte Bernardi has a special place in our hearts. It’s where Scott and Paula lived for four months in 2020 while Scott worked in the vineyards and winery to learn the winemaking process from harvest to bottle.
Learn more about Monte Bernardi here.
TUITION INCLUDES:
6 nights-5 days (June 2-8, 2024) in a beautiful Tuscan villa in the heart of Chianti Classico with outdoor areas to relax, including a swimming pool
4 winery visits with tastings and tours in the Chianti Classico area
2 food producer visits, including cheese and olive oil
Welcome reception aperitivo and dinner
6 breakfasts with fresh baked goods, local specialties, fruits
5 traditional multi-course lunches with wine pairing ((Note: Please beware much of Italian cuisine contains dairy and gluten, thus food allergies and aversions may be difficult to accommodate outside of the villa.)
2 cooking classes leading into convivial dining
The Art and History of the Aperitivo masterclass followed by apericena
Celebratory end of the trip cookout on the terrace
Apericena at one of the locals favorite enoteca in Panzano
Tuscan wine masterclass- covering all the native grapes and predominant DOC’s of the region
Wine education throughout the trip with sommelier and Italian wine Ambassador/educator Scott Thomas
Food experiences & education by chef/food anthropologist Paula Thomas
Intimate and full access conversations about food, wine & culture throughout the trip. And long-lasting friendships built around the table
Deluxe, air-conditioned minibus transportation for day trips
Please note the cost does not include flights or travel arrangements to Italy, or transportation to and from Villa Bernardi.
Villa Bernardi is equipped with 5 different accommodation options, perfect for traveling in pairs or exploring on your own. The maximum possible occupancy is 10 people:
Large suite with living quarters & en-suite private bathroom - $8200 for two travelers OR $7000 for single traveler. BOOKED
Large bedroom with en-suite private bathroom - $7500 for two travelers OR $6000 for one traveler BOOKED
Large bedroom with en-suite private bathroom and terrace access - $7500 for two travelers OR $6000 for single traveler. BOOKED
Large bedroom with en-suite private bathroom and balcony access - $7500 for two travelers OR $6000 for a single traveler BOOKED
Large bedroom with vineyard views and a detached private bathroom with a large bathtub - $6500 for two travelers OR $5000 for a single traveler BOOKED
*** Although Villa Bernardi is a beautifully renovated farmhouse, it is, regrettably, not equipped with accessible capabilities for wheelchairs or other infrastructure to support physical disabilities. This holds true across many towns in Italy.
Payment Process
Payment 1: After submitting a registration form, we will email you an invoice for a non-refundable deposit of $1500 per traveler.
Payment 2: We’ll send an invoice with the remaining balance due March 3, 2024 (balance based on chosen accommodation.)
Why travel with Grappolo Wine School?
Scott and Paula Thomas spent more than two years living in Italy with time divided between Piedmont and Tuscany. This time allowed for a deep understanding of Italy’s many beautiful regions, all of which are rich with regional and cultural identity.
By traveling with us, you gain unique access to places that would otherwise be inaccessible. Over the years of visiting, we’ve forged strong relationships with producers, farmers, and business owners who share their stories of place better than anyone else.
Our study trips are intimate and allow for around-the-clock learning. Scott is a certified Italian Wine Ambassador and Paula is a food anthropologist, and both earned master’s degrees in their respective fields while living and studying in Italy.
