Ciao, Italia! You and five friends are on your way to the heart of Tuscany for an immersive experience in the Chianti Classico region, where world-renowned wines have been produced since the 1300s. You’ll be there to experience a beloved tradition in nearby Siena — the running of the Il Palio di Siena horse race.
Your home base and host will be Castello di Gabbiano, a gracious 14th-century Florentine stone castle surrounded by picturesque vineyards as far as the eye can see. You’ll sample their master-crafted, sustainably produced wines at a private estate dinner, and partake in a daily itinerary of cooking classes, wine tastings, and tours of the estate and the local countryside.
You’ll also dine at Panzanese, the storied family butcher shop of world-renowned chef Dario Cecchini, in the charming town of Panzano. There, you will be treated to an enchanting dinner hosted by Dario himself, where you'll savor the flavors of traditional Tuscan cuisine prepared with his expert touch and paired with Gabbiano’s exquisite wines.
Your trip includes a hosted viewing of the famed Il Palio di Siena, where 10 jockeys ride bareback and race thrilling laps around Siena’s central piazza. This exhilarating cultural event has drawn spectators from far and wide for hundreds of years — it’s not unusual to see riders get thrown, and their horses cross the finish line without them.
After three days of food, wine, and fun, you’ll bid Italy a fond arrivederci! But not without taking home a Gabbiano Wine Set, featuring a dozen bottles from their Estate collection, allowing you to continue the experience and savor the flavors of Tuscany long after your trip ends.
Donors: Castello di Gabbiano, Treasury Wine Estates
Designed for three couples
Trip Dates: June 29 - July 3, 2024. Dates can shift incrementally as mutually agreed.
— Magda Sarkissian, Co-Chair, Contempo Young Professionals League
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