Antonio Sanguineti

The first time you find yourself blazing along in the passenger seat of Antonio Sanguineti’s car, you should steel yourself—either for a bolt of fear or for an adrenalin rush (or both) unparalleled in your lifetime. In a nation famous for its invisible speed limits and outrageous drivers, Antonio is truly one of the fastest. (To his credit, he’s also one of the best.) Everywhere you go, locals know the flamboyant winemaker’s car on sight: it’s the only canary yellow Audi wagon in Tuscany, and to them, this blur of a vehicle is known simply as "la Banana Rapida".
The first time you try one of Sanguineti’s wines, you’ll realize how perfectly they match the man– bold, intelligent reds that simultaneously suggest control and grace. But his was not to an easy road. As happens sometimes in Italian families, there was a disagreement about what to do with the Sanguineti family’s land. This happened while Antonio was still a young man and, in the end, it wound up being sold. Despite his love of wine, Antonio was left without a vineyard. As he recalls it, "I owned the knowledge, but not the land." But the accomplished young winemaker, dubbed ‘Il Maestro’ by his colleagues, was not to be deterred. He parlayed his wine knowledge into consultant work, and now trades his expertise for the right to select the best grapes from two wonderful estates. Without the ongoing overhead of a vineyard, Antonio is able to produce truly outstanding wines for a modest price.

Doumina Whyman

About Doumina Whyman, a travel agent and tour guide for the past 4 years with The Enthusiastic Traveler, her private company, she has recently joined forces with Small Vineyards Travel because of their similar philosophy regarding the Italian Lifestyle, the families, and sharing the "real" Italy and not the tourist version with clients. Whyman says, that her biggest reward is happy, smiling clients. A true testiment to her work is her clients approval and referrals. Below, a few for your enjoyment.


"FANTASTICO!!! Doumina has a knack for surrounding herself with knowledgeable and fun local folks who guided us on interactive walking tours of the towns, taught us how to make Italian food from scratch, with care and love...(and a little more wine!)...and local dining places where they made us feel like the most important guests! I am still raving about this trip!"
Carol Sue Rogers

"... all of our guides immense, in-depth research, along with her incredible instincts to choose, was a gift to me, and the others, for our journey through Italy. My best advice... "don't leave home without her."
Shirlee Hrica

"With a guide that has boundless energy and enthusiasm, even the ordinary event seemed like an adventure. One of the best outings of my seventy years, and worth every dollar."
Tim Dalrymple

"Doumina has all of the keys to the cities...I know I saw things that a normal tourist could only dream of. I am signing up next fall to bring my family!"
Sandee Frost

"Doumina could give you a tour of your own backyard and make it fun. She celebrates life and it's contagious!"
Keith and Connie Twede

"Doumina gives you an up-close insiders view of the treasures surrounding the enchanted hill town of Cortona. You like olive oil? Meet a farmer who picks his olives, and the man who presses them. Art your thing? Listen to the passionate sermons of her guide, and real-life descendant of Cortona's own Luca Signorelli. Want to eat the way the heartiest Tuscans do? For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you will. Guaranteed."
Tim Stark
Writer for Gourmet Magazine and Conde Nast