I met Alyson around 12 years ago when we were both having lunch at Dario Cecchini, the famous butcher in Panzano in Chianti. Those of you who've watched Dario's episode on Chef's Table (Netflix) know that he's a hardworking genius who's transformed a butcher shop in a celebration of life itself. Dario isn't just an animalist-butcher (yeah, I know that sounds controversial, so if you want to dig deeper see this post), he's also a people-person. In his restaurants, you sit (at

There are quite a few "old families" that still have a family estate handed down generation in generation and are at the front of promoting modern Tuscan winemaking. Marchesi Antinori of the Antinori brands, Barone Ricasoli of Castello di Brolio, Marchesi Mazzei at Castello di Fonterutoli, Marchesi Frescobaldi of the Frescobaldi brands, Principi Corsini of Villa Le Corti, Conti Capponi of Villa Calcinaia, just to cite some. When you look at their names, you'll see what common

Le Pergole Torte is possibly Tuscany’s most famed Sangiovese wine, but ironically, even though made within a well-known appellation like Chianti Classico, it doesn’t wear the DOCG “fascetta” seal or the historical black rooster emblem. The original recipe for Chianti Classico required the wine to be a blend. The primary grape was and still is Sangiovese, but the blending partners were Canaiolo (local red) with Malvasia Bianca Lunga (white) and Trebbiano Toscano (white). These

Giovanni is the very essence of a fine artisan. His whole life philosophy coincides with his craft, where the earth materializes into everla