Villa Ortaglia™

Join Terenzio and Chefs Maria & Luca in the Tuscan Cookout program, for those who want to enjoy the Tuscan countryside, but do not want to drive. The program brings you into the kitchen for hands-on cooking classes with Chef Maria learning Tuscan classics. Dinner follows each cooking class and everyone eats the foods prepared in the class; wine, water, caffè and dessert included. Tour Le Crete and San Gimignano, and leave the driving to us.

Cooking Classes

Classes are held a professional kitchen with Chef Maria at Villa Ortaglia. The cooking classes and dinners are available exclusively to the guests of the country house in order to maintain the prestige and unique atmosphere of the Relais. Cooking classes are in small groups with a minimum of four people and a maximum of eight. The cooking classes start at 5 pm and last approximately three hours. During the class, Chef Maria will teach a full menu from appetizer to dessert, starting each course from scratch and using only local seasonal products.

Chef Maria’s Tuscan Cooking Class Menus

One regional appetizer such as crostini toscani, assorted bruschetta appetizers; one first course: homemade fresh pasta with different types of seasonings such as pici all’aglione. Pici is a type of pasta similar to spaghetti. Aglione is the typical roasted garlic and fresh tomato seasoning used on pici; and one second course: typically meat, rabbit, chicken, veal, pork, pigeon, lamb and turkey.

Last, and most sweet is dessert. She will show you how to make traditional cakes and biscotti like the world famous tiramisu’ and cantucci (hard biscotti, traditionally dipped in Vin Santo, a unique dessert made in Tuscany). The entire menu changes daily according to Maria’s inspiration and seasonal local ingredients. At the end of each class, participants eat the fruits of their labor at dinner. Local table wine is included.

Villa Accommodations

The villa is a beautiful farmhouse that was built in the 17th century and has recently been restored into a five-star luxury accommodation. Each suite is decorated with exquisite antiques, maintaining the traditional feel of old-world charm in the heart of Tuscany.

Ortaglia Relais is privately owned by Terenzio, and cared for by his his son Nicola and the family. After several years in the hospitality industry, the Biscardo family decided to offer cooking classes that explore the regional cuisine of Tuscany. The property is surrounded with the family’s vineyards, vegetable gardens, Tuscan sunflowers and a private swimming pool. The ancient town of Montepulciano can be seen in the distance.

Each suite has been named after the eight districts of Montepulciano, created by the City Stature in 1337. They are San Donato, Voltaia, Poggiolo, Talosa and Gracciamo. All of the bedrooms have been furnished with great attention to functionality and elegance. Interior decorators have carefully selected the colors, paired the cloths and blended the various antique pieces with simple Tuscan handicrafts. The rooms are magical! In the three suites guests can enjoy a tonic Jacuzzi sipping a glass of the best Spumante Classico. All the rooms are equipped with TV, refrigerator and telephone.

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The Ortaglia estate boasts a well-furnished wine cellar where you will discover the thousands of flavors in the Italian oenology. The underground wine cellar in the farmhouse, which keeps it well protected from light, vibrations and changes of temperature, guarantees that the selection of wines are kept in perfect condition.

Itinerary: 6 days, 5 nights

Day 1: Arrival & Dinner In Montepulciano

• Arrival Transfer from Chiusi train station.
• Check-in, relax, aperitivo and introduction to the cooking program.
• Dinner at La Grotta in Montepulciano, wine is included.

Day 2: Montepulciano & Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served.
• Transfer to Montepulciano for a visit at your leisure and lunch on your own.
• Return to the Villa Ortaglia after lunch to relax.
• In the afternoon, meet Chef Maria and head into the kitchen for Cooking Class 1, featuring a seasonal menu from appetizer to dessert.
• Dinner follows on the foods prepared in class, wine included.

Day 3: Tour Of Valdorcia & Lunch

• Breakfast is served.
• Tour of Valdorcia with lunch in the wine cellar. This fuull day guided tour of Valdorcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes a full lunch in a local Trattoria, wine included. After lunch, visit to the winemaker in Montalcino for discussion and tastings.
• Return to the Villa in the afternoon.
• Round trip transfers included to dinner at the Trattoria Diva & Maceo.

Day 4: Spa Morning & Cooking Class 2

• Breakfast is served.
• Transfer to the Terme di Montepulciano for Wellbeing program for 2. Relax and enjoy the spa treatments at this world-class spa.
• Pick up and light lunch at Ortaglia.
• In the afternoon, Cooking Class 2 with Chef Maria brings you back into the kitchen for your second hands-on workshop on Tuscan cuisine.
• Dinner follows on your creations, local wine included.

Day 5: San Gimignano Tour & Wine Tasting

• Breakfast is served.
• Enjoy a full day guided tour to San Gimignano, through the scenic road of Le Crete. Visit the Signano Estate and relax to a full lunch in a local Trattoria with Signano wines and discussion.
• After lunch, walking tour of the “Town of the Beautiful Towers”.
• Return to the Villa in the afternoon.
• Dinner is served at Le Logge del Vignola, transfers included.

Day 6: Departure

• Breakfast is served.
• Departure transfer to Chiusi train station.

*This schedule may vary due to weather, feast days, market days, openings and closings of vineyards, etc.  If you happen to have a specific private activity in mind, please let us know so we can check your final itinerary.