Meet your guide in front of the church of San Domenico in Siena at 9:30am, easy to find even if you are arriving from out of town with your own car, as there is parking in the vicinity. Travel north-east into the Chianti hills, an area rich with dense oak wood forests and cypress trees, neat rows of vineyards and olive groves. Stop below the imposing walls of Castello di Brolio, where you can take a little time to walk into the vineyards and have a closer look at the soil and vines, capturing some great pictures. The 12th century fortification is where the Baron, Bettino Ricasoli, first stimulated the renewal of the areas’ agriculture and experimenting with different grape varietals and the best possible blends. It was in the 19th Century that he released his precious formula for making the great Chianti wine, now famous the world over for character and drinkability (as well as the straw flasks that are no longer in use!) We then make our way to the Castles’ gardens; visiting the grounds to learn the history of the area and its renowned wines before enjoying a first introductory tasting of the Black Rooster Chianti Classico wine at the Castle cellars, a wine that has witnessed a qualitative jump in taste and complexity. A traditional Tuscan lunch will be served at a Chianti estate accompanied by a tasting of the farm’s wines. Visit a second winery where we are introduced to the local producer and shown around the estate. Tour old cellars to learn about the traditional wine making and farm work and lifestyle that characterize the ‘Chianti folk’ is a must before sitting down to savor a tasting of the farm’s great Chianti wines.