Castello di Volpaia

Mom, Dad, and me in the piazza of the remote Chianti village of Volpaia. The Castello di Volpaia behind us is now a wine shop in what was the principal tower of the 11th century castle. The adventurous drive to get here was worth every miglio. I had propelled our car up and down remote white roads of the Chianti hills, while Mom expertly navigated and we eventually arrived at our destination: Volpaia. Good thing we had ignored the groaners in the back seat.

Azienda Agricola – Open All Hours

The closed doors of this wine-selling business in Greve belies its message:  Open All Hours.

Views from Volpaia

Dad sizing up an ape (pronounced “ah-pay”), which means bee. Built by Piaggo (same manufacturer of the Vespa), this little Italian pickup has been around since 1950. It was named for the buzzing noise the 3-wheeled wonders make as they carry cargo up and down the tight cobbled streets.

Mom and Dad gazing out at the Chianti hills from Volpaia. Sigh…

Here’s Lookin’ at You, Kid

Gino at the annual wine tasting festa in Greve, Chianti. Where else can you walk around wearing your wine glass around your neck and not get arrested?

Chianti Classico

The Gallo Nero, or Black Rooster, is the widely recognized symbol of Chianti Classico wine. This emblem guarantees a bottle of superior vino, grown in a specifically designated area of Tuscany, known as Chianti. The modern Chianti region extends from the outskirts of Florence to the north, down to Siena to the south, bordered by the Chianti Mountains to the east and the Pesa and Elsa River valleys to the west. The unique climate, altitudes, and terrains of this region produce premium wines. However, to qualify as Chianti Classico, rather than merely Chianti, the wine must be produced by very specific criteria, including an exact percentage of grape types and length of aging.

I’m thirsty.

When Pigs Fly

A pork shop along the perimeter of the main piazza (Piazza Matteotti) in Greve in Chianti, location of its annual Chianti wine-tasting event. How thoughtfully they placed this saw horse for those in need of a lean.

Siena

An early morning walk on our way to our car parked outside the city walls.  Since the walled inner city is off-limits to most vehicular traffic, everyone scrambles for the closest spots just outside the walls.

Chiesa di San Jacopo al Tempio

The rumor behind this Romanesque church in San Gimignano is that the Knights of Templar built it upon their return from the first crusade. In fact, the white stone arch above the door contains a symbol of the Templars. Fanciful as that may be, research indicates the church is from a later period.

Piazza della Cisterna

This brick-paved piazza in San Gimignano has served as the center of town since the 9th century, although the well was built in the 1200’s. The underground cistern collected rainwater from a series of pipes that drained from the surrounding rooftops.

Oz Didn’t Give Nothin’ to the Tin Man

Hiding his white bag behind his back, Oz whispers to the Tin Man: “Stay away from those new-fangled can openers, my friend.”

Gino has a fetish for knights in armor. (He also sometimes likes to think he is Zorro or James Bond.) This metal friend was found in San Gimignano as we wandered about.