Come To Italy With Us !

Monica's Hours are: Monday-Friday 7-6, Saturday 8-4 Closed Sunday and most holidays

Taste your way through Tuscany and Umbria with Monica & Mark! Gastronomic and cultural 8 day tour of Tuscany/Umbria Departs October 7, 2009 Take wining, dining and traveling to extraordinary levels! Monica and Mark have partnered with Doumina Whyman, The Enthusiastic Traveler, to offer you a fabulous 7 night, 8 day trip to Tuscany and Umbria.   You will experience the local people and traditions of these amazing regions through the eyes of the locals who live and love there. Doumina has created a food and wine tour that includes exclusive meals, hands-on cooking classes, famous art, historic towns, world famous churches, ancient ruins, Small Vineyard’s wineries, and so much more. We will travel together for 8 days, share deluxe accommodations for 7 nights, and because 20 of us are sharing the costs, the price for this tour is unbeatable!   We invite you to look over our itinerary and notes. If you are interested in joining us for this very limited invitation to Italy, send me an email as soon as possible. Please make sure it includes your name, phone number, mailing address and the number of people that you would like to bring.   In November we will invite all interested parties to an open house where you will meet Doumina and hear about the trip from her, first hand. Mark and I will also be there to show you pictures, share stories, enjoy some regional Italian snacks and sample a couple of Small Vineyards Estate wines. At the end of the presentation there will be time for Q & A and, if you haven’t already signed up, Doumina will take reservation bookings for any spaces still available. ~Salute! Italy Tour October, 2009 Day 1-Wednesday, October 7, 2009 The adventure begins   Meet Doumina in the city of Perugia where she will take you to your home for the first 4 nights, at Relais Parco Fiorito, a restored 16th century convent. Relais Parco Fiorito is in Umbria, not far from the beautiful hillside town of Cortona, and you begin your adventure this afternoon within her walls of stone. Your illustrious guide Giovanni will share the treasures of Cortona's Etruscan sites, and its history, while taking you on a leisurely and informative tour of this beautiful city. After the tour of Cortona you get to visit an olive-pressing farm, where Landi and Renato press the local olive oil in the old way. It is a wonderful gift to be able to experience this tradition that is becoming so seldom used in these modern times.  Next you are invited to visit the farm of Pucci Agostino. Here, he raises the famous Chianina, the white cow of Tuscany, from which Toscana’s steak 'Bistecca alla Fiorentina' has been made famous. You will learn how his family proudly maintains the animal’s excellent bloodlines and ancestry, and produces meat on a small scale rather than the mass production practices that we are used to. Your wonderful dinner of ‘Bistecca alla Fiorentina’ will be prepared in the grand fireplace by our host Roberto Russo, who is well-known locally and abroad for his talents as a chef and cookbook author. Dinner Day 2 -Thursday, October 8 Bountiful Brunello Tour   Your typical breakfast will include everything from fresh fruit, yogurt and homemade pastries, to house-cured prosciutto, eggs from the hens outside, Roberto’s olive oil with hearth-fired bread, and of course, espresso, tea and fresh juices. Today you will visit two Small Vineyards Estates, and travel through Montecucco, Val d’Orcia, and Montalcino. You will taste wines along the way and learn of the land and the life of the Tuscans in this beautiful countryside. Your first stop is the picture perfect city of Pienza. Pienza has been the idyllic site of films, such as the "English Patient", and "Romeo and Juliet". Sheep dot the valley floor and Pecorino, the local cheese that is made from their milk, spills from the shops. You can visit the church and see the tiny streets of this beautiful little hill town, taste the cheeses, and a variety of Balsamic Vinegars. You will be amazed by their flavors and variety! Your next stop the vineyard Perazzeta, where Alessandro Bocci makes award winning olive oil and wine. A passionate man, he names his wines after those he loves most: his daughter Sara and his wife Rita. His latest great wine is called "Irio", after his father. You will learn about this farmer’s pursuit of the most perfect wine, and how he will throw away twice as many grapes as he presses. Of course you will taste how delicious his work is! After a tasting and a tour, you will walk next door to experience a plate of Flavio's pasta while feasting your gaze upon the beautiful valleys. The countryside here is glorious, and you will enjoy more of it on our way back home via La Magia, the vineyard where you will meet Antonio Sanguineti. Antonio is rightly famous for his Brunello di Montalcino, one of the finest wines there is. His wines and the man himself are both fabulous. Breakfast/Lunch/2 small vineyards tastings  Day 3-Friday, October 9 Just Say Cheese!   Today, after another wonderful breakfast in our Agriturismo, we will make our way back into the Etruscan walls of Cortona. You will meet Romano and his lovely wife Agostina, at their typical Tuscan restaurant, La Bucaccia. Romano will quickly become one of your favorite characters in Italy, and he will teach you the art of cheese making. From local sheep’s milk you will make Ricotta, Mozzarella, and the Pecorino that is so famous from these verdant valleys. Along with your cheese making instruction, you will enjoy a delicious lunch in his lovely restaurant. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you choose. Leisurely wandering the cobblestone streets of Cortona, shopping, catching up at the internet café, and taking in the magnificent valley views. From Piazza Garibaldi you can see the Chiana Valley, Lake Trasimeno-Italy’s largest non-alpine lake, and beyond. There are also museums to explore such as The Museum of the Etruscan Academy, and the Diocesan Museum, and you can visit the Duomo. Breakfast/Lunch/Cooking Class Day 4-Saturday, October 10 Assisi   You will enjoy a post-breakfast hike in the beautiful countryside of Piazzano, where our Agriturismo lies. Then, off to Assisi for a guided day trip and a spectacular church visit. Assisi is best known as the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy, founder of the Franciscan order, and one of the most popular Catholic saints. You will experience Roman ruins, winding medieval streets, sacred shrines, and the main attraction: the 13th-century Basilica di San Francesco. The basilica contains the sacred relics of Francis and beautiful frescoes of his life. You will spend this evening with Roberto, who will impart his knowledge as chef and cookbook author, and transform your culinary thinking with a fun and informative cooking class. We will then dine on your creation of an authentic Etruscan "poor man’s" dinner with Antonio Sanguineti, who will join us to provide a full Small Vineyards wine tasting! Breakfast/Dinner/Small Vineyards Tasting Day 5-Sunday, October 11 Moving to the Chianti region   This morning after our fabulous breakfast you will bid farewell to Parco Fiorito and Roberto Russo. With last minute photos, hugs, and promises to keep in touch, we will travel to the heart of the Chianti region. Our Agriturismo, Podere Ciona, is an 18th century farmhouse with acres of grape vines and a stunning view of Siena in the distance. Your senses will be satiated by this magical place combined with the foods that you will learn to prepare in a traditional cooking class with mama Franca. Her son, Lorenzo Gatteschi, played a large role in forming the concept of Small Vineyards Importers, and he will introduce you to the wonderful wines of this farm while you feast on the results of your cooking class! This extremely beautiful place is where you will spend the next 3 nights. Breakfast/Dinner/Small Vineyards Tasting Day 6-Monday, October 12 Maremma   This morning you will witness the beautiful morning sunlight on the Tuscan Vineyards and then start the day with a lovely breakfast. You will tour our host family’s winery and taste their fabulous Super Tuscans, before starting a full day of travel. Rarely visited by Americans, the wineries are Terre del Marchesato and Rigoloccio, and they are in the "wild west" coastal region of Tuscany that is known as the Maremma. This is a rugged and beautiful area, and both estates welcome us with a tasting accompanied by meats and cheeses from the region. At Terre del Marchesato you will breathe the salty sea air near Bolgheri, ground zero for Super Tuscans, where the soil is rich and the wine is delicious. Your hosts are modern winemakers, Maurizio and Giovanna Fuselli and they have invited you to enjoy a lunch of the meats, cheeses, and fabulous wines that this self-sustaining farm produces. Next you visit Rigoloccio, a new addition to Small Vineyards estates. They grapes they grow are Fiano, Alicante, Cabernet, and Merlot, very close to an old silver mine. One wine is aptly named "Sorvegliante" which means “Guardian of the Mines". You will enjoy more fabulous wines and tantalizing morsels. Breakfast/Lunch/2 Small Vineyards Tastings Day 7-Tuesday, October 13 Volterra, Le Rote, Farewell   You will visit Volterra for some shopping and sight seeing in what is one of Italy’s best preserved hill towns. Of particular interest is the 1st Century BC Roman Theater, Piazza dei Priori, one of Italy's most beautiful squares, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Next, you will visit another Small Vineyards find, Le Rote. The Scotti family produces a tiny amount of exceptionally good wine, half of which is the historic white wine Vernaccia. They are one of the few producers in the area to also have a red wine, and the classic Sangiovese is their other focus. Later you are invited to a private dinner in the home of Franca’s sister Mimma. In this beautifully restored home which is nestled between Castellina and Radda, you will have the honor of tasting Mimma’s special Olive Oil, as well as share a wonderful farewell dinner. Breakfast/Dinner/Olive Oil Tasting/Small Vineyards Tasting Day 8-Wednesday, October 14 Siena e Ciao   After your final breakfast you will arrive early in Siena to enjoy the fabulous Il Campo and one of the most beautiful Duomos in Italy.  Piazza del Campo, or “Il Campo”, as the Sienese call it, is a unique place in the world, starting with the very particular conformation of the ground, which turns the square into a concave shell. The white marble of the fountain ‘Fonte Gaia’ stands out. There is also the Palazzo Comunale (town hall), and also the tall, slender Torre del Mangia that reaches out to the sky. This is where the famous horse race, Palio di Siena is held, and where you can shop for fantastic leather, shoes, and scarves, as well as taste some authentic Panforte di Siena. Siena’s cathedral is a great example of Italian Gothic architecture and is very dramatic with it’s black and white striped campanile and baptistery. Here you will see the works of 13th century Gothic master Nicola Pisano, Matteo di Giovanni, as well as Donatello, Ghiberti, Jacopo della Quercia and other 15th-century sculptors. We will gather at Nanini for a coffee and any last minute shopping, before going our own ways. Whatever destination you will continue on to, you can get there from here! Breakfast Price: $2895 per person, based on 20 people total.   Includes: Everything listed in the itinerary while we are with Doumina Lodging Ground transportation Guided tours Listed meals Wine tasting Vinegar tasting Olive oil tastings Admission fees where applicable Cooking classes Doumina’s priceless expertise and carefully nurtured relationships Precious company and entertainment provided by the people of Italy, who will stay in your hearts and minds forever (plus Monica & Mark!).   Does not include: Airfare Transportation to Perugia Transportation from Siena Occasional meals Travel for personal errands/meals/shopping while on the tour.   Doumina can help arrange: All other transportation Ideas for other destinations A package that would include round trip airfare from here to Roma and 2 nights' accommodations and guided tours in Roma, with group pricing based on how many of us want to add this on. To sign up: email Monica@waterfrontbakery.com as soon as possible in order to be assured one of the limited reservations for this trip of a lifetime!   Monica's Waterfront Bakery & Café www.waterfrontbakery.com 360-698-2991

ITALIAN WINERY TOURS AND FOOD AND WINE TOURS!

Last May I was asked to donate something from my tours to the Swedish Hospital Brain Tumor Research Center. My tour would be auctioned off as a way to raise money for this worthy cause. The 2 couples who generously gave to this cause and got to come with me on my Food and Wine tour were 4 fabulous people. We spent 4 days, cooking, wine tasting and sightseeing as shown on my websites, www.theenthusiastictraveler.com and www.smallvineyardstravel.com Here are the testimonials! If you want to experience authentic travel, then please consider my tour company!

Dear Doumina Dearest Doumina, Thank you for all that you have done to make this a perfect vacation. You have thought of every detail to make this an incredibly special experience. We look forward to our new friendship in Seattle. With warmest Thanks, Rod and Nancy

Dear Doumina, We cannot thank you enough for such a wonderful trip. You have been so very generous and treated us to so many uniqiue experiences and people. Roberto, Antonio, Giovanni, and Riccardo, the list goes on...the food, wine, oil, cows, art, fun and love of life that all of you celebrate, has been such a joy to the four of us. You made our lives richer! Much love and gratitude, Kim and Todd

ITALIAN WINERY TOURS IN THE CHIANTI REGION OF TUSCANY AND THE BRUNELLO COUNRY!

On the Vine/Italian Winery Tours in the Chianti Region of Italy

written by

Lisa Espada

I recently had the pleasure of meeting second generation Italian winemaker and Small Vineyards founder Lorenzo Gatteschi to bring to you some of the most fantastic wines that Italy has to offer.  As Lorenzo tells it:  “At small vineyards, we believe some of the very best wines come from small places. Therefore, we are committed to discovering the Italian artisans and families that make the best wines you’ve never heard of and making them available for you to explore.” 

Chianti Wine Tours, Tuscany Tours and Italian Winery Tours...Oh My!

Thanks to my clients for another testimonial and who enjoy the choices I make for them, and their gratitude on my Tuscany Tours!  

My daughter and I had an experience of a lifetime when we traveled through the Chianti region of Tuscany with Doumina.  Our favorite part was getting to meet and have meaningful conversations with the people who make that area so unique.  We will always remember cooking with Franca and her sister Mimma in Francas home kitchen, and then sharing that wonderful meal on the outside patio with the smell of lavender in the air and the beauty of the Tuscan hills in front of us.  Doumina is truly an outstanding guide who has the knowledge and desire to make your trip very special.

I really did appreciate all of her interest and caring for us! 

Kris Boyle

PRIVATE GROUP TOURS...ITALIAN WINERY TOURS ...it's a beautiful word! Bring the family together, or a group of close friends! A private group tour enables you to book a trip any time that you want. Any date that you want. As many days as you want. Tours of Tuscany, wine tours, cooking tours...whatever you wish, we can hand build a trip together to suit you! With my knowledge of the country, you can sit back and relax and enjoy the trip you have designed. Maybe you think you want to tour Siena...taste at a winery on the way, then linger in the IL Campo after. Each and every day is constructed the way you want it. With myself as your own personal driver and guide, sharing with you my experience over the years. Together we can make a trip to remember! Ciao!

ITALIAN WINERY TOURS AND WINE TOURS IN TUSCANY IS OUR SPECIALTY.

...travel south to the Chianti where we find ourselves at Podere Ciona, deep in the heart of this region. A large estate amongst the olive trees and vineyards. We arrive just in time for a lite lunch and a tasting of the families Super Tuscans. After our tasting, we take a beautiful hike through the countryside, where vineyards dot the land for as far as the eye can see. Join us for a splendid hike through the olive groves after a glorious lunch in one of our private Estates, at Small Vineyards Travel.

PRICELESS!

...

Italian Winery Tours with Small Vineyards Travel and...ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL TESTIMONIAL

HAPPY, SMILING CLIENTS...IS OUR GOAL AT SMALL VINEYARDS TRAVEL...GIVING FANTASTIC ITALIAN WINERY TOURS OF SMALL ESTATES.

Its a cool raining morning in Portland as we look over our photos of three and half weeks in Italy and the best ending day of a fantastic trip with you and Antonio. We will remember that day, its colors, smells, tastes and vivid impressions for years to come. The visit to the village of Bolgheri and the afternoon with Maurizio and his family is embedded in our minds as one of our lives most vivid experiences. Your commentary and the impressions that Antonio left with us cannot be duplicated. A very special thanks to, Antonio and Doumina for a 120% effort for us.

MOST FOLKS KNOW...THE BEST WINE COMES FROM SMALL PLACES.  AT SMALL VINEYARDS TRAVEL, WE CAN SHOW YOU ON OUR ITALIAN WINERY TOURS!

We are seekers of those outstanding small vineyard wines. Most importers would never give these wines a second thought, regardless of quality, because there is not enough to make a brand. Think of Small Vineyards as your personal wine detectives in Italy. We typically taste 200 to 300 wines each month, but only fall in love with one or two. Those we bring home, so that you, too, can discover them.

As wonderful as the wine is, the stories of the families and artisans who make them are equally important. Who does not want to know more about the composer, painter, singer, or writer that touches more than your basic senses? We have found that many of you are like us and have a sincere desire to know more about the artists who make the wine. After all, what is art, if not a direct reflection of the one who makes it? For those of you who do want a more complete experience,and you will be traveling to Italy, see us for a 1-day or 2 day tour and comlete the circle of your knowledge about these fantastic wines and the wonderful families who make them.