A Solatio, Organic Wines Tastings with Home-made Meals — Attraction in Certaldo

We visited Raffaello’s and Donella’s vineyard, farm, and home. We cannot wait to visit the place again and we cannot recommend it enough! If this post sounds too perfect, it’s because for us, this experience was.

To me, the visit to A Solatio was more than tasting wine alongside appetizers in the beautiful fields of Tuscany. Don’t get me wrong, this was exactly what we were looking for, as everyone who visits Tuscany should, and this would have been enough. However, spending time with Raffaello, Donella, Suzanna (and Rosita of course!) turned a daily adventure in the life of a tourist into something much more precious.

After a tour of the vineyards enjoying extraordinary panoramic views, we were seated outside together with a pleasant couple from Holland. Raffaello introduced us to his wines and served us a variety of appetizers which his wife Donella had just prepared earlier that day (it was a last minute booking for 5 but they graciously accepted our request!).

The setting, the wines, the food, Donella’s olive oil, and the company were perfect. The frosting on this day was Raffaello’s and Donella’s warm, nurturing, and welcoming disposition towards us as their guests. And this is exactly how we ended the day - feeling welcomed, nurtured and warm. Indeed, spending time at A Solatio sincerely felt like a cure...

This is a must-visit place in the region if you are looking for fun and relaxing wine tasting experience. We walked in without making a reservation but felt very welcomed and had such a lovely time on a hot summer day in Tuscany. Yes, it is not huge but a small family-run business. I believe that's why you should go and enjoy the cozy and extraordinary ambience. Rafaello and Alexandra explained us about the wines we tasted. Their first sparkling wine which is quite rare to find in the region captivated us and not to mention so all the red wines did. Donella prepared food to pair the wines in the kitchen, some are directly from their garden and others are supplied by local manufacturers, all taste amazing. They also have wonderful olive oil so basically they have everything you fancy about Toscany: nice wine, good food and friendly people. Pureza is an absolutely perfect wine if you are a huge fan of Tuscan wines like me. Tasting price is also very fair: we paid €30 per person which was a discounted price since we had to leave bit earlier after buying several bottles of wine and olive oil. I strongly recommend to visit this...

There are so many great wine makers in the region, but at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, this is our favourite to date. (For the record we've visited about a dozen around Chianti).

Though the owner and staff were juggling other customers, we were treated to a very relaxed, very enjoyable food and wine "pairing" (not quite a pairing).

At the end of the day, it's a winery and should be judged mostly by their wine. This is where they shine the brightest.

I respect that owner's convictions not to release wines too early for a quick buck. His youngest wine at the time was a 2018 vintage, and the experience is all the better because of it.

There is a clear focus on quality across the range and it shows. Are they cheapest wines you'll try in the region? Of course not and nor should they be.

However for 45 euro each we were treated to their olive oils, multiple plates of food and half a dozen wines, all of which were exceptional.

We look forward to enjoying the bottles we bought when we get back home.

Do yourself a favour and make the...