Holiday itinerary
In the grounds of a wonderful Agriturismo are two beautiful farmhouses set 1.5km apart and just 40km from Pisa in the Tuscan hills offering the perfect location in which to pursue your passion for all things Italian.
This Tuscan cookery holiday offers a unique opportunity to discover Italian life where families work together on the estate to produce olive oil and wines using organic and traditional farming methods.
Under the direction of your knowledgeable guides, you will learn about the local olive oil and wine production process and taste the end product for yourself.
You will visit one of the local organic cheese farms which, surrounded by a unique landscape, specializes in the production of fully organic cheese, from fresh ricotta to ripened pecorino.
This is a wonderful introduction to Tuscany’s rich culture of wine, olive oil and cheese set in the beautiful and relaxing surroundings, a must for any Tuscan food and wine enthusiast.
Suitability
- Suitable for all levels from complete beginners to wine, oil and cheese connoisseurs
- Your hosts are Italian but there are English speaking guides on hand at all times to guide you through the course
- Minimum age 18 for the wine element of the course but children aged 7 or over are welcome to join the olive oil and cheese part of the course if accompanied by an adult
- Younger children are welcome and babysitting can be arranged locally at an additional charge whilst you are taking your course
- A minimum of 2 people must book together on this course for the course to run
- Please note that car hire is essential for this holiday
Italian Cookery Holiday Start Days
- This course runs year round
- Arrivals can be on any day of the week
- If this course appears ‘on request’ we can usually accommodate your requirements, to check availability, email us on or call us on 08445 020445 with your preferred dates and someone will get back to you very quickly
Olive Oil, Wine and Cheese Tasting Course Itinerary
Day 1 –Arrival Day
- Check-in to your accommodation anytime after 2pm
- In the evening you will enjoy a 3 course welcome dinner served in the farmhouse dining room or on the terrace
- Please note that your welcome dinner may not always be taken at the Farmhouse; it may take place in a local restaurant in the nearby town of Peccioli
- If your welcome dinner is taken in a nearby restaurant, please check taxi fares if you decide to travel by taxi
Day 2 – Olive Oil and Wine Tastings
- Relax over a leisurely Italian breakfast before joining your English speaking guide for a day touring the estate on foot to discover the olive oil and wine making processes
- You’ll be accompanied by the person in charge of the agricultural production on the estate and you’ll walk through the vineyards learning about the history of the farm, the characteristics of its produce and the methods of cultivation
- After your walk, enjoy tastings of the wine (Chianti and Igt) and extra virgin olive oil produced there, combined with local bruschetta
- The tour also includes the visit to an Etruscan grave belonging to the estate
Day 3 – Cheese
- Enjoy another tasty Italian breakfast before joining your English speaking guide for a trip to one of the local organic cheese farms
- You will see the workroom during the production process. Visit the barn which houses the sheep and the pigs. Then you can taste the different kinds of cheese together with ham, salami and local honey, for a delicious light lunch
- Return to the farmhouse and have the rest of the day and evening to yourself
Day 4 –Departure Day
- After breakfast guests are asked to check-out of their rooms by 11am ready for departure taking home with them new cooking skills and an insight into Italian life that will stay with them long after the holiday is over
What Will I Learn?
- Skills to recognise and enjoy the complexity of the Italian wines produced on the estate
- To understand the methods and history of the production process using traditional methods
- About the process of making olive oil from growing to production
- You’ll taste the oils and will aim to recognise the different qualities and grades
- All about the production of organic cheese and the workings of a cheese farm
Accommodation
- You'll stay in a well appointed twin or double room in one of the farmhouses which are set 1.5km apart in the grounds of the estate
- The house you are staying in will be advised on arrival
- Check in anytime after 2pm on your arrival day and check out by 11am on your departure day
- The beautiful farmhouses both offer every comfort of a hotel with the relaxed and easy going feel of a countryside retreat
- The houses have both been converted to a high standard maintaining the original Tuscan farmhouse architecture
- Guests staying in one of these two houses take their breakfasts and welcome dinner in the house dining room and each house has its own large swimming pool
- Prices are based on 2 sharing a twin or double room
- 2 bedroom apartments are available for families or groups at a small supplement
-There are two different farmhouses where you might stay; Giuseppe and Alessandro
- Giuseppe's farmhouse provides Wi-fi underneath the portico next to the office. They have a dog and a cat who are free in the courtyard
- Alessandro's farmhouse provide Wi-fi near the reception area
Meals
- Breakfast is included each day
- A welcome dinner is included on your arrival day
- You’ll enjoy a light lunch at the cheese farm on day 3
Other Courses In Tuscany
- If this Tuscany cookery holiday whets your appetite for all things Italian, other courses are also on offer, including cheese making, painting and more, please follow this link to more courses at this school or email for details
Slow down to the pace of life on an Agriturismo in Tuscany and discover the olive oil, wine and cheese making process on this cookery holiday with a difference.