Montepulciano, Italy 6/22/2025

Ciao Bella, from Montepulciano Tuscany. 

We started the day with shopping in the town. There are hardly any cars going through this medieval town, it is mostly walking. There is so much history. It's like every old church or an old building has a story to tell. 

Here are some pictures of the beautiful surroundings:


I absolutely love the doors in Italy!!









While walking, there are these little streets or ancient corridors that go either left or right. When you look down them, and if you walk that way, you never know if you are going to arrive at someone's home or be faced with views of the Tuscan landscape.





One of the reasons I wanted Montepulciano to be on our itinerary was because it is the home to one of our favorite wine regions. 

As many of you know, I am more of what they call...a tequila drinker. I used to drink A LOT of wine back in the day, but I moved on. But now and then, I do enjoy a beautiful glass of wine. 

This afternoon we had the privilege of going on a wine tour of the De'Ricci Cantine Storiche in Montepulciano. I booked this tour for just John and I several months ago. It was incredible. It was one of the oldest cellars in Montepulciano. Our tour guide Emilio was witty and very knowledgeable. He was a Sommelier. 

We were able to try 6 different wines. Three of which were absolutely incredible. 

We tried the following wines:

Chianti 2020, Il Vignone (2020), Il Vignone (2021), Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (2021), Sor Aldo Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (2020), Rupe del Sasso (2019), and Il Severo (2020). 

However, not all wine tastings need to be done by going on a tour, you also have places like this where it's a self-serve kind of thing; however, it was located on an archeological digging site! Only in Italy, right?





Check out the pictures from our tour:




















We did purchase some wine - our favorite, the Rupe del Sasso. It is 100% Sangiovese. It was their family reserve and there weren't many bottles in production. I felt special to try this wine and to be able to bring it home with me. 

After our wine tour, we picked up Lydia and headed to dinner at Ristorante Ai 4 Venti located at the Piazza Grande Square. Holy Moly. 


The restaurant.


My dish.


John's dish.


And of course, Lydia's dish. 

After dinner, we walked and then watched the sunset, danced to Italian music, and enjoyed another glass of wine to finish the night.







The view from our balcony at our Airbnb.





Life here, is much, much slower, and I have come to enjoy it. Crazy right? The pace is nice and refreshing. Much needed. People here are not in a rush and seem to enjoy the simple things. 

While on my walks, I would see the same older man, sitting on his stoop that is across the "street" from this historic looking church, he would be talking to someone or even himself, and I would make eye contact with him, smile, and greet him. "Buongiorno!!" Though, as I continue walking, I am not sure if he is as curious about me, as I am about him.  

The people have been incredibly kind. There have been minimal language challenges. Most people speak broken English and if you don't understand each other, just speak with your hands!!!

One question that keeps popping up between John and I is - how do we remain the same people after being on this trip. The answer is...one thing is for sure...experiences like this, HAVE to change you to some degree, if you allow it to. I want to bring this experience home with me. If not, I am just going to have to move here. 😏 (seriously, I have been looking at homes...nah...I am just kidding...wait...am I?)

I have loved this trip thus far so very much. Each place we have been too has placed a stamp upon my heart. Each place has its own beauty, its own history, its own landscapes, its own people...they all have been so different and equally amazing. 

Ah, Montepulciano, I can't wait to come back. 

Saluti,
Claudine 😘

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