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Rebecca Uncorked
Pleased
to introduce myself, I'm Rebecca.
I've been involved with Tuscan wines since I first came to Italy in the mid 90's. First, as a restaurant co-owner (Enoteca Baldovino - see pics below) in Florence together with friends, David and Catherine Gardner who have opened a beautiful country hotel in Greve in Chianti (Villa Bordoni). The mid nineties was when the Super Tuscans had really caught on and we had the unique opportunity to be around local wine enthusiasts and had the possibility to taste many a wine... While running the Enoteca Baldovino, we all did the 3-year Sommelier course in Florence.
In 2002 my wonderful
daughter
was born and the restaurant
business became too hectic and so instead I started a company named Vinalità
(a blend of words "vino" (wine) and "qualità" (quality)) and have since then worked as a wine broker and exporter for many smaller
wineries in Tuscany.
Above: 2007.
To the left: Firenze Spettacolo 1999.
To the right: painting by friend Signe Olander 2000.
I'm a member of the Italian Organization of Sommelier (AIS). When I find the time, I join professional wine tastings and get a lot of contacts by attending the important wine fairs and exhibitions of Italy.
My general curiosity has led me to travel extensively in the wine country here in Italy, Tuscany in particular. I adore the wine country for its unique beauty and admire the people involved in the wine making. And I haven't yet found anything that matches the diversity of Italian vine varietals and regional wines - a never-ending experience full of pleasant surprises and satisfactory discoveries. Lately I have taken on a love of organic and biodynamic wineries that are usually small, family run farms with lots of love for their land and their products. So, I hope to express my enthusiasm for this contagious subject to my customers.
I have also become a member of the local Slow Food Delegation and attend short seminars - and I support preserving local foods & the traditions that come with them. So to make a long story short, my deepest passion is wine and food and I have made it a lifestyle!
I started Tuscan Wine Tours in the
spring
of 2004 and it gives me an incredible pleasure to show my guests the best of
the wine regions here in Tuscany.
Therefore I make a point out of doing the
tours personally.
The farms and people that I
will
take
you to, take
pride in their work, are friendly and honest.
As mentioned, many of the farms are organic
or ethically nature friendly. About my own company,
I think
you will find that
I'm pretty easy to be around,
I am a complete WINO and am extremely enthusiastic about my job. I do most of my
tours myself, but also collaborate with a couple of expert guides that are
wonderful and just as enthusiastic as myself!
If you want to know more, I would like to invite you to my blog which I began in 2007: http://tuscan-wine-tours.blogspot.com/. If you would like to ask me questions, just go the forum: http://tuscan-wine-tours.forumattivo.com/
PS.
In the spring of 2009 we opened a restaurant in the town of Colle Val d'Elsa, a
real Tuscan gem, famous for the production of crystal. The concept is slow
food, from local produce, traditional Tuscan recipes, etc.: www.cucina-popolare.com
I hope to see you at OFFICINA DELLA CUCINA POPOLARE!
Contact Info
Enquiries
& questions
are more than welcome.
I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Email:
info@tuscan-wine-tours.com
Phone: (+39)
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