Italy Unfiltered

28/11/2024

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from Tuscany!

This year we have more reason than usual to be thankful, because:

- 2024 has been the year when we hosted the most repeat customers since we started our business;

- 2024 has been the year when we hosted the highest number of guests that found us thanks to a direct recommendation from either family members or friends that toured with us before;

- 2024 has been the year when both of us were able to find time around work to enroll in a wine tasting/somm class ( Deborah Larsen just received her diploma after passing the final test "with merit", well done Deb!).

It has been such a challenge to find the one photo that would sum up all the reasons why we're thankful, and we ended up choosing a photo taken this summer in Volterra in front of the local world champion gelato shop, because this moment meant a lot to us, including friendship, gratitude, and much more.

We know that this is possible only thanks to the ongoing support that we get from all of YOU, and we want to THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.

Deb and Massi

PS: if you have a family member or a friend that will be in Tuscany during 2025, feel free write their names in the comments below!

21/11/2024

We have the IGP certification of quality for our Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil and shipped first orders today. We expect them to arrive in about 10 business days. The new harvest is amazing and the flavor complex. Order now on our website to arrive before Christmas.

17/11/2024

The new harvest olive oil is here! Freshly pressed from the 2024 harvest, available in one liter or half liter tins, ready to ship to the USA and Canada. - https://mailchi.mp/ac8d92e471fc/the-new-harvest-olive-oil-is-here-19863164

09/11/2024

We agree 100%. For a different experience, we suggest staying in Siena and take a day trip to Florence.

Florence population approx. 330k
Siena population approx. 53k

Has anyone stayed overnight in Siena?

05/11/2024

For picture perfect Tuscan views we suggest staying in Siena. You can reach the Val d' Orcia in 45 minutes from Siena. (From Florence the drive is almost 2 hrs) These quintessential Tuscan views can only be found south of Siena. With Massi the Driver

05/11/2024

A Chianti Classico sunset. The weather is holding, very mild temps right now. Can you sneak away from work and join us?

29/10/2024

Renaissance villas and garden tours are available as an add-on for Rome transfers. Rome airport to Florence or Siena and back. Tour and Transfer pick-ups or drop-offs with Massi the Driver.

NCC Driver
Siena

28/10/2024

Completed WSET level two which was an amazing wine education experience in a most beautiful setting here in Siena. We tasted close to fifty wines over 4 days, guided by our knowledgeable instructor Emily O’Hare. The venue was a beautiful countryside Chianti winery called La Torre alle Tolfe. I highly recommend a visit or even a stay as the staff are so warm, and the views from this historic estate are just pure magic. La Torre alle Tolfe

22/10/2024

I love the change of seasons because it means some new fruit or vegetable will be in season and plentiful. Case in point these forrest found Chanterelles and Pomegranates from a friend’s tree.

21/10/2024

It was easy enough to request an official ballot, and print out on my home printer. Not thinking I walked into a Mail Boxes Etc. office to ask if they had a FAX machine. You guessed it. I was laughed at and told NO, not since 2014 have they had one! I did feel a bit like Rumpelstiltskin, I mean I can't recall the last time I needed one, I guess it was more than 10 yrs ago. Used an app called Genius Fax on my iPhone, easy peasy.

15/10/2024

With Massi The Driver

Come join us for some wine tasting, today we will visit the Chianti Classico region, this weekend it will be Montalcino for the Brunello wines and Montepulciano for the Vino Nobile wines.

12/10/2024

Have you ever visited this 12th century castle in the Val d'Orcia called Spedaletto?
Once it offered shelter for pilgrims along the Via Francigena on the way to Rome. Today it is an agriturismo with a working Mulino (mill) nearby. We often shop there for quality pasta made using ancient grains in the most traditional way. They even have a pasta laboratory. Reservations required for a tour and lunch tasting.

12/10/2024

Spectacular to see at night too. October in Tuscany, where the sunset is earlier.

11/10/2024

If you ever wonder what Massi the Driver does at the end of his day of driving, here is the answer

27/09/2024

Love this weather in late September. Heading to Montalcino from Siena to taste Brunello.