Sam, our gracious host, added an exceptional touch to our wine tour. His personable demeanor and genuine passion for wine made the experience truly memorable. We appreciated the well-paced itinerary, starting with ample time for tasting before leisurely strolling through the picturesque vineyards.
Joe, our bus driver, ensured a smooth and comfortable journey between wineries. While his role was straightforward, his professionalism was noted and contributed to the overall positive atmosphere of the day.
The choice of family-owned wineries added a charming and authentic dimension to our tour. Our first stop, Pindar, showcased a delightful selection of wines. The Savignon Blanc and rosé were particular favorites, capturing the essence of the region's terroir. Don’t miss out on the oyster cart. Fresh and shucked right in front of you.
At Pelligrini, the second winery, we were treated to a tour of their cellar, deepening our appreciation for the winemaking process. Among their offerings, the rosé stood out, revealing the winery's commitment to crafting exquisite blends.
For those embarking on this adventure, it's wise to fuel up with a hearty breakfast, as the wine tasting begins as early as 11 am. While the wineries provide lunch sandwiches, Sam's insider recommendation of oyster pizza from his home oven left me hungry!
A visit to the local farmers market provided a small diversion. While their pies are renowned, I regretfully missed out.
Remember to engage Sam in conversation about his other wine escapades; his anecdotes and insights are a treasure trove of vinicultural knowledge.
In summary, Sam's warmth and expertise, combined with Joe's reliable driving, made this wine tour a wonderful escapade. The family-owned wineries, especially Pindar and Pelligrini, showcased wines that captured the essence...
Read moreMy wife and I went on this tasting tour for her birthday and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Highlights for us included touring the wine cellar at Pelligrini Vinyards and the grounds at RGNY and learning more about wine tasting as a practice as well as wine making and the techniques that lead to different flavors, etc. Sam was a great host and guide during the tour, making the experience very approachable and fun. The pickup and travel for the tour was very convenient and easy. Food was provided at the first stop which was very welcome, delicious, and necessary for all the wine drinking! The restaurant at RGNY was great - we enjoyed their lobster roll with the tasting menu. Staff at both vineyards were pleasant, too.
Our only comments for improvement was wishing we had a little more time to explore and enjoy a glass of wine at each stop. After touring the grounds post-tastings, it seemed like time flew by and we didnt have an opportunity to sit and taste other wines at the bars or drink a full glass each. I would also recommend bringing cash on the trip, as you'll want to tip staff at the venues if you continue to try out other wines outside of the tasting experience. Pelligrini didnt have an option to tip by card, which made us hesitant to keep asking to try different wines when we couldn't tip. RGNY had an option to tip by card, so that wasnt an issue there. The tasting menus at Pelligrini and Ribeiro skewed more toward whites than reds this time around, though you can order other wines at the vineyard after the tasting experience.
Overall, had a great day and came home with two bottles of some very nice whites (1 from each vineyard), and some pastries from the final stop at Briermere Farms market. 5/5 would...
Read moreI recently had the absolute pleasure of joining Sam’s tour through Lake Como and Piedmont with my family, and I honestly can’t recommend it enough. From start to finish, everything was thoughtfully curated, from the beautiful accommodations to the smooth, well-planned daily itineraries. Every detail was taken care of, which made it so easy to just relax and enjoy.
What really makes this trip special is the focus on wine and food. If that’s what you’re into, this is 100% the trip to take. Sam’s knowledge of wine is incredible, each tasting felt meaningful and fun, and we learned so much along the way. The food was amazing and paired perfectly at every stop.
The group dynamic was also great. Everyone was friendly and easy to travel with, and Sam and his team of guides and wine producers created such a welcoming vibe. It felt like traveling with friends, but with everything expertly organized for you.
If you want a wine-focused trip that’s equal parts fun, delicious, and stress-free, this is the way to do it. Huge thanks to Sam for an...
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