The Tuscans ... Best Wine Tourism 2012

For the series of Italian wine tourism excellences ... let's discover together the chosen ones to participate in the international competition Best Wine Tourism 2012.

This prestigious initiative is promoted by the Great Wine Capitals , an international network to which 9 cities in the world with strong enotourism are joined: Florence, Bordeaux, Bilbao, Christchurch, Cape Town, Mainz, Mendoza, Porto and San Francisco-Napa Valley.

At the Florence Chamber of Commerce the arduous task of choosing the Florentine companies that could participate in the competition. Among the many applications, it was chosen with weighting taking into account reception, services provided, jurors evaluation, quality, communication and attention to innovation.

Below is the list and the reasons for the election to participate in the prestigious international competition published by the Florence Chamber of Commerce:

Accommodation category

Dievole - Castelnuovo Berardenga (SI) www.dievole.it

For the style and quality of hospitality offered in an old noble house, surrounded by vineyards that have been producing wine for over 900 years and dedicated to promoting the culture of wine in its various aspects. For the enhancement of the "masters of the vineyard", ie all those who contribute directly to wine production and have become prominent elements in the communication of the finished product.

Category Wine restaurants

Borgo Allegro - Vinci (FI) www.borgoallegro.it

Because it offers, in Leonardo's hometown, a corner where you can taste traditional dishes revisited to discover new tastes and sensations, for the care in the presentation of the dishes and for the interesting wine list. Also noteworthy are the periodic themed initiatives, which suggest combinations of typical products and quality Tuscan wines, as part of a general promotion of the territory.

Category Architecture, parks and gardens

Malenchini Farm - Grassina (FI) www.malenchini.it

For the villa which dates back to the 11th century, passed in the 17th century to the property of the Medici family, subject to major changes starting in 1667, until it became a real stately home, decorated with fountains and basins. It is registered with the Italian Historic Houses Association and is used for events and celebrations of various kinds.

Category Innovative experiences in wine tourism

Verrazzano Castle - Greve in Chianti (FI) www.verrazzano.com

For the ability to constantly innovate the tradition of one of the oldest stories in Chianti, with initiatives that are always different and attentive to the needs of tourists, old and new. The language courses set in the evocative rooms of the castle and accompanied by curiosities relating to the life of Giovanni da Verrazzano are worth noting.

Category Services in wine tourism

De Gustibus Network Association - Campi Bisenzio (FI) www.de-gustibus.it

For the enhancement of wine tourism through small local companies, which are brought together and promoted through an integrated offer, for the search for excellent products, and the promotion in the form of a solidarity network of non-standard, low-impact proposals environmental, often customized.

Finally, the special mentions of the jury:

Special mention in the Accommodation category

Castiglion del Bosco - Montalcino (SI) www.castigliondelbosco.com

For the excellent quality level of the accommodation, classified as a five-star hotel, obtained from the skilful renovation of an ancient village and some farmhouses by the Ferragamo family. The style and furnishings that distinguish the private accommodation and common areas are unmistakable, the vault with the guests' favorite wines is unforgettable. The jury assessed that it was a difficult candidacy to compare to the rest of the other companies, due to the level of reception described, therefore to be differentiated outside the competition.

Special mention in the Wine restaurants category

Rocca delle Macie - Fizzano Reserve - Castellina in Chianti (SI) www.roccadellemacie.com www.riservadifizzano.com

It is a mention more for the company in general, than for the restaurant in particular, because it is the entire structure that offers the feeling of a special atmosphere, thanks to a skilful renovation of the rural environments, to the green spaces that surround it. , to traditional recipes of authentic Tuscan cuisine, revisited in an innovative way, using fresh and seasonal ingredients.

Special mention category Innovative experiences in wine tourism

Gabbiano Castle - Mercatale Val di Pesa (FI) www.castellogabbiano.it

For the quality of the welcome, which is reflected in all the activities related to wine tourism, in the accommodation, in the guided tours, in the restaurant, in the numerous and various events that are organized throughout the year, and placed in a suggestive setting at the shadow of medieval towers and ancient cellars, to make wine known through experimentation and all-round understanding.

Special mention in the Art and Culture category

Fattoria Pagnana - Rignano sull'Arno (FI) www.fattoria-pagnana.it

The only nomination of the category, the jury considered the company worthy of a report for the methods of communication and presentation of the characteristics of the structure, even in the absence of cultural activities that met the requirements of the competition. Of note is the small private museum dedicated to peasant culture, with tools from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Source: Florence Chamber of Commerce