fbpx

Tuscan Castles & Vineyards™

Chef Nadia’s Tuscan Cooking Classes~6 Day

Join Chef Nadia in Tuscany for  hands-on Tuscan classes with farm-to-table products and produce from the property. Discover the secrets of this exquisite Tuscan cuisine while touring sunflower fields and and rolling vineyards of Tuscany. Enjoy landscapes laden with vineyards and olive groves, extra virgin olive oil and Tuscan wine in the heart of Tuscany.  Farm-fresh products from the property’s gardens and the family’s extra virgin olive oil along with a wine cantina will have you enjoying excellent food and wine while learning how to cook.

Unplug and relax during the Tuscan Castles & Vineyards cooking experience with The Ayurveda Experience. This massage is a very relaxing experience with our licensed and professional expert using an all natural approach with all natural products.

Cooking Classes in Tuscany

Chef Nadia provides hands-on regional cooking classes with passion, knowledge and expertise.  A native of Maremma, she shares her family recipes including antipasti, fresh pasta and sauce, main courses and desserts while sharing conversation on cooking techniques and food stories.  Her culinary skills wow and her knowledge and technique for making natural leavened bread starters and turning them into sourdough, focaccia, puff pastry, croissants, pandoro and panettone are her Crown Jewels in the kitchen

Tie on your aprons and get ready to prepare Tuscan recipes made with farm-to-table ingredients – from antipasto, bruschette garnished cherry tomato, herbs and olive oil to authentic cooking classes with farro.  Learn how to prepare Tuscan pasta pici, pappardelle pasta served in a porcini or wild boar ragù or ricotta and spinach tortelli.  Traditional main courses include the bistecca alla Fiorentina and the celebrated Tuscan meat Chianina, cinghiale, wild boar. The scottiglia, a traditional meat dish, includes: rabbit, chicken, pork and lamb.  Desserts are always delicious with castagnaccio, a traditional cake made with chestnut flour, cantucci, almond biscuits dipped in Vin Santo or pitta chiusa, a fruit filled pastry crust rolled into the shape  of Tuscan flowers.  During your stay, experience the art of Tuscan pizza making garnished with farm-to-table vegetables and herbs from the garden.

Tuscany Accommodations

Immersed in this fairytale countryside filled with history, property blends in modern comforts under its four stars.  Immersed in a surrounding green landscape, the property is a juxtaposition of luxury blended with an elegant farmhouse atmosphere.  Check in to your private room with private ensuite bathroom.  The beautiful palazzo is home to nine rooms each decorated with Tuscan decor, stone walls and modern baths.  Beds are comfortable and dressed with Italian linens.  Breakfast is served daily featuring artisan cakes, breads, biscotti, farm-fresh eggs, fruit, cheese, coffee, tea and juices.

Set in Maremma, the property is nestled in the heart of nature set between gentle slopes of vineyards and silver-green olive groves owing their shading to the metallic contents of the rich soil.

In the land of where the Etruscans once ruled, groves of chestnut, pine and ilex woods, lie in meadows and wheat fields.  During your stay, opt to visit small, ancient towns, like Rocchetta di Fazio, Sovana and Pitigliano, and discover medieval castles built high on the hills once defending the land from Saracen attacks.

Itinerary: 6 Days, 5 Nights

Sunday: Arrival & Check in on Tuscany Countryside

  • Arrival, check-in and welcome.
  • Enjoy your Cooking Vacations’ Welcome Bag and Prosecco toast.
  • Welcome Dinner featuring a Chef’s Tasting with a full course menu of local fare.

Monday: Tuscan Pasta Cooking Class 1

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Tie on your aprons for your hands-on Cooking Class 1.  During your stay learn how to prepare pasta of tagliatelle, tagliolini, gnocchi, tortelli with stuffing of the season, brigoli and pappardelle.  Following the cooking class everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the class with a toast of wine included.
  • Following your cooking class, walk the gardens and relax or simply enjoy a wine from the outdoor sitting area.  You can also add on an Ayurvedic massage treatment.
  • Enjoy our Welcome Dinner featuring a full course Tuscan menu included.

Tuesday: Tuscany Cooking Class 2 & Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tasting

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Tie on your aprons for your hands-on  for your hands-on Cooking Class 2.
  • Learn how to prepare a Tuscan pizza.  Also learn how to prepare vegetable and herb toppings to top and accompany a true Tuscan pizza.  Following the cooking class everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the class with a toast of wine included.
  • In the afternoon, learn about the property’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a tasting that will teach you the differences between the various different types of olives – muraiolo, Frantoiano and pendolino – along with production methods, bottling, scent and taste. Learn how to distinguish, purchase and cook with extra virgin olive oil with tastings included.
  • Later in the evening, enjoy Tuscan Dinner featuring a full course menu is included.

Wednesday: Tuscany Cooking Class 3

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Following breakfast, tie on your aprons for your hands-on Cooking Class 3 focusing on Tuscan Dolci. This Tuscan cooking vacation involves preparing traditional Tuscan desserts, such as panna cotta with frutti di bosco, tozzettiFollowing the dessert making cooking class everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the class with a toast of wine or vin santo included.
  • Following the cooking class, walk the gardens and relax or simply enjoy a wine from the outdoor sitting area.  You can also add on an Ayurvedic massage treatment.
  • A Tuscan Dinner featuring a full course menu is included.  Wine and beverages not included.

Thursday:  Foraging – Garden & Herb Tour – Picking Ingredients for the Cooking Class 4 with Afternoon Wine Tour and Tasting

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Meet your host along with your garden basket and discover the property’s beautiful vegetable and herb gardens.  Learn about the many herbs either at the local produce market or with local quality vendors. Shop with the chef for the best in produce and more for your cooking class to follow.
  • Return to the kitchen for your hands-on Cooking class 4 focusing on a traditional Tuscan.  Following each cooking class everyone enjoys the food that was prepared in the cooking class together with a toast of wine included.
  • In the afternoon: Salute! Raise your glass as we head to the well-known cantina of the famous wine maker for a tour and tasting. Our excursion to this private Cantina is an experience for the eyes and palate.
  • Informal discussion and tastings included.
  • Farewell Tuscan Dinner featuring a full course Chef’s Tasting Menu with local fare.
  • Cooking Vacations’ Welcome Bag with chef’s apron, Proseco toast and recipe booklet.
  • A copy of Lauren’s cookbook, “It’s A Dream Place – Stories and Recipes of Food, Love and the Amalfi Coast.”

Friday: Departure & Arrivederci!

  • Breakfast is served.
  • Check out.
  • Ciao e Arrivederci!

*Note: This schedule may vary due to inclement weather, saint days or festivals. All activities, in the event of rescheduling, are always included during the program.

Program Includes:

  • 6 days, 5 nights accommodations with private en-suite bathroom, based on 2 guests. Click to view!
  • Breakfast and dinner included each day.
  • 4 cooking classes followed by lunch including the foods prepared in class with a toast of wine.
  • Foraging – Garden & Herb Tour – picking ingredients for the Cooking Class.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil Tasting and informal discussions with tastings included.
  • Visit to local winery with a visit to the cantina with wine tasting included.
  • Use of swimming pool and the gardens on the estate.
  • Arrival and departure transfers from Grosseto Train Station.
  • Cooking Vacations Welcome Bag with chef’s apron, Prosecco and recipe booklet.
  • A copy of Lauren’s cookbook, “It’s A Dream Place, Stories & Recipes of Food, Love and the Amalfi Coast.”
Program Prices

$2,595 per person, based on 2 guests.

For Single Guests: If you are traveling on your own, please call us for the best group price. We are happy to welcome you into an already scheduled group.

Check Availability

2025 Dates: This program is available all year round. Check in and start your program on any day of the week.  Rates are subject to change based on currency exchange. Call for updated rates. Airfare not included. Group transfers for any cooking tour or tours that include transfers, are for the group and are not private. Transfers before, after or to another destination outside of your cooking tour are not included in the program price. If you would like to add on a private transfer or transfers, let us know and we will send you pricing.