Villa On A Tuscan Hill™

Join Signora Stefania in cooking classes in Siena on our Food & Wine In The Land Of Siena program set in an 18th century Tuscan Villa on the hills of Montepulciano, Tuscany. Once home to a noble family of Siena, the Villa is nestled between tall cypress trees, green gardens and an endless view overlooking the gentle hills of Val d’Orcia.

Delicious Tuscan food, wine and culture are featured in this Tuscany cooking vacations and await you in your Tuscan Villa, taking you through the countryside of Val d’Orcia, Pienza, Montalcino, San Gimignano, and the ancient village of Montepulciano for a food and wine vacations.  Discover hearty cuisine from your personal Chef in your gourmet hands-on cooking classes in Tuscany villas, sip and swirl prized Tuscan and Brunello wine while visiting vineyards and landmarks in beautiful Montepulciano.

The Food & Wine In The Land Of Siena program is a Siena food tour, immersing you into the local lifestyle while you soak up the traditions of great Tuscan cuisine.  The entire Luxury Villa and Tuscany Garden Villa have been fully restored with every modern comfort while keeping an Old World charm.

Signora Stefania and Signor Nicolo welcome each guest to her Tuscan Villa and kitchen where she shares a little bit of history, cooking technique and conversation in this one-of-a-kind authentic tour. Learn to cook, and tour and make new friends in the dreamy hills of Tuscany. Her soft words for each guest are, “this villa is but a home that we wish to share with guests, where life is simple, the silence magical, and the daily pattern of one’s days follows the rhythms of nature.” Step into magical Tuscany and let the cooking begin!

As featured in October 2016 – Click here to read more!

Cooking Classes in Siena

Learn to cook in Siena! Hands-on Cooking Classes in Siena in our Tuscany Villa focus on all ingredients being local – with vegetables and fruits from the garden property and Tuscan products from the finest purveyors including artisan cheese makers, butchers, bakers and wine makers.  This food and wine vacation features each Tuscan cooking class the experience of learning how to prepare antipasti, fresh pasta and sauce, a main course and dessert paired with local Tuscan white and red wine which is included.

Cooking classes in Siena feature Tuscan antipasti: torta salata, a savoury flan; traditional crostini toscani, bruschetta, toasted breads garnished with garden fresh tomatoes and herb or crushed olives.  There’s also fegatini, Tuscan chicken liver served on toast along with Tuscan capocollo, and artisan Pecorino, capre and caciotta.

Signora Stefania and your personal Chef Massimo will guide you in the kitchen preparing fresh pasta and sauce such as pici all’aglione, Tuscan pasta and a special sweet garlic sauce, ravioli nudi, spinach ravioli, and tagliolini alla frantoiana, pasta with olive oil and herbs.

You’ll learn the authentic secret recipe for ribollita Toscana, is a slow-stewed Tuscan soup made with a variety of fresh vegetables and served with toasted garlic bread.  Ribollita, a Tuscan recipe where cooks and chefs traditionally add vegetables and meat to the soup day after day, and pappa al pomodoro, a Tuscan bread and tomato soup loved by all.

In your cooking classes in Siena you will prepare Tuscan main courses some examples being Bistecca Fiorentina, a special Tuscan cut of meat from the white cow called a chianina.  This breed of cows live in Val di Chiana, Tuscany and when prepared has special guidelines for grilling over an open charcol. Another famous recipe includes roasted cinghiale, wild boar, piccione, pigeon, and anatra, duck. There is also scottiglia, a traditional main course featuring an assortment of rabbit, chicken, veal, pork, pigeon, lamb and turkey.  Wild chicken served with local olives of Grosetto, olives  cured in brine and marinated with grated orange zest, fennel and a little garlic, is a classic recipes prepared with herbs.  Although meat is an important ingredient in Tuscan cooking, vegetables and beans are also part of the cooking experience.  Learn how to prepare cici, all’uccelleto, a classic bean recipe with olive oil, and pizelli novelli, pasta and peas, along with faro, an ancient Tuscan wheat which is a staple in the local diet is an delicious ingredient in vegetarian recipes.

You’ll learn how to make lovely desserts including bongo, Tuscan chocolate profiteroles;  bomboloni, Tuscan doughnuts and cantucci, twice baked cookies, traditionally dipped in Vin Santo, blessed wine.  Tuscan desserts also include stracciata alla fiorentina, a sweet cake, and pannello con l’uva, a brioche bread made with grapes and usually served during the time of the wine harvest, torta di mele, Tuscan apple cake, and pinocchiati, pine nut crips. These are a small sample of Tuscan recipes that you will prepare – each recipe can easily be recreated in your home kitchen.

The Luxury Tuscan Villa

Set on a crest above gentle rolling Tuscan hills, the Villa is a property of splendour.  Signora Stefania and her family renovated the 18th century property taking much care to keep every element of its Old World charm.  Spacious green gardens span 15 acres along, cypress trees grow tall, antique Florentine statures stand tall while terracotta vases brim with colorful flowers making the Villa a dreamy place.  An elegant breakfast room offers fresh cakes, biscotti, tarts and flans each morning along with artisan cheeses, Tuscan salumi and ham, farm-fresh eggs, artisan bread, caffe, tea and fruit juices are served daily.

The Villa’s rooms offer ensuite private baths, and are bright, oversized and spilling with natural sunlight.  Rich tapestries, drapes, Italian linens and bed comforters – each made by hand – will have you comfy and relaxed.  Modern comforts including satellite TV, a safety strongbox, mini-bar, internet and telephone, are included in each room suite.

Guests are invited to stroll the gardens and swim in the magnificent marble swimming pool decorated with Florentine statues and water fountains – weather permitting.

Conveniently located in the heart of Montepulciano, the Luxury Villa or the Garden Villa are both just a short distance to Siena, Pienza, Montalcino and Cortona making it a convenient perfect location.  Guests who visit in autumn can also participate in a truffle hunting experience on the property.

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The Garden Tuscan Villa

Check into the luxurious Garden Villa in Montepulciano and set in a beautiful Tuscan garden.  Signor  Niccolo and his family welcome you to the private Villa property – just a short 10 minutes walk from Montepulciano’s historic centre.  Beautifully decorated large rooms offer comfy beds dressed in Italian linens and ensuite baths.  Beautiful decor, art and attention to details make the Garden Villa a dreamy place to stay.  Windows open up onto the beautiful Italian gardens filled with flowers and cypress trees in a peaceful setting.  An outdoor sitting area makes the garden a perfect place for sipping a Tuscan wine, reading a book and writing post cards to home.  The breakfast room is bright and clean and serves a full daily breakfast with Tuscan bread, cakes, biscotti, cakes and crostata, open fruit pie along with fresh fruit from the garden, farm-fresh eggs, yogurt with cappuccino, tea and homemade jam.  The 18th-century property offers elegance and charm  while offering modern amenities and complimentary wi-fi.

Click for Property Photo Gallery

Tuscany is known for many things, but most of all for its Chianti Classico, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, the Brunello di Montalcino and the Vernaccia di San Gimignano. During your stay enjoy a wine tasting at the property with Tuscan wine and vintages from the wine cellar.  Sip and swirl Barolo – Porta Rossa, Chianti Classico – Borgo Pretale, Pinot Grigio – Gaierhof, Prosecco – Banear, Amarone – Corte Vecchia Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi – Bonci and Vernaccia di San Gimignano – Signano to name a few.  

Tuscany

Tuscany has been the cradle of the arts and banking throughout time from the Etruscans to the Medici Family.  Discover the landscapes and history of this region as you visit and tour the nearby town of Montepulciano, called the Jewel of the Renaissance, Pienza, the small town known for its artisan cheese, Montalcino, land of Brunello wine, and the rolling Tuscan hills.

Visit Pienza, a small town known for its artisan cheese, artisan shops with handmade crafts. There’s also Chiusi, which offers its history, open-air museum with Etruscan tombs.  During your Tuscany cooking classes, you can also add on a visit the nearby towns of Arezzo, Cortona, Siena and San Gimignano.

Montepulciano

Montepulciano, a Medieval Renaissance town set on a hill is in the region of Siena. The name of Montepulciano, according to legend, was founded by the Etruscans. Rolling Tuscan hills dotted with ever growing olive trees and fields of sunflowers is Tuscany. As you stroll through its cobblestone streets stop for a local wine, Vino Nobile, shop for artisan terracotta ceramics, and stop to see the view. Montepulciano sits on a hill protected in an ancient Medieval wall creating some of Italy’s most applauded wine and cuisine.

Cooking Classes in Siena Itinerary: 7 days, 6 nights

Day 1: Arrival & Tuscan Welcome Dinner at Villa

• Pick up at the Chiusi-Chianciano train station.
• Arrival to the Tuscan Villa, check-in, relax.
• Welcome Prosecco on the terrace overlooking the rolling hills of Val d’Orcia.
• A Chef’s Welcome Dinner featuring a full course dinner with a toast of local red or white wine, included. Enjoy your meal and sip your wine as you take in the Tuscan countryside from your villa!

Day 2:  Montepulciano & Tuscan Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served.
• Transfer to Montepulciano with your driver.  Take a stroll through the beautiful cobblestone streets before staring your cooking class.
• Tie on your aprons for Cooking Class 1.  Prepare a full course gourmet Tuscan menu with your personal chef.
• Lunch follows and includes the foods that were prepared in the cooking class 2.  Local red or white wine included.
• After your cooking class, take time out to visit Montepulciano.   Later, return to the Villa with your driver.
• Relax at the Villa.  Later in the evening, enjoy artisan cheese, salumi, Tuscan bites and bottle of Tuscan wine, included.

 Day 3: Food Lover’s Landmark Tour of Montepulciano

• Breakfast is served.
• In the morning, meet your English-speaking guide for your Food Lover’s Landmark Tour of Montepulciano. Discover Montepulciano and learn about Tuscan food, wine, culture and landmarks with food tastings included along the way.
• Following your tour, return to the Villa.  Relax.
• Dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.

Day 4:  Tuscany Villa Cooking Class 2 & Food Lover’s Walking Tour of Pienza

• Breakfast is served.
• In the morning, tie on your aprons for your gourmet Tuscan Cooking Class 2. You will prepare a full course Tuscan menu featuring farm-to-table local ingredients.
• Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food prepared in the class with Tuscan white or red wine included.
• After your cooking class, your driver and English-speaking guide continues to Pienza.  Pienza is a quaint charming town, the birthplace of Pope Pius the II, and home to artisan cheese makers and artists. Enjoy our Food Lover’s Walking Tour of Pienza with food tastings included along the way. 
• Following Pienza, your driver continues through Tuscan roads and returns to the Villa.
• Relax at the Villa.
• Later in the evening, enjoy artisan cheese, salumi, Tuscan bites and bottle of Tuscan wine, included.

Day 5:  Tuscany Cooking Class 3

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, tie on your aprons for your Tuscan Cooking Class 3. You will prepare a full course Tuscan menu featuring farm-to-table local ingredients.
• Following the cooking class, everyone enjoys the food prepared in the class with Tuscan white or red wine included.
• Afternoon is free to relax by the pool, walk in the gardens or sit back and enjoy the landscape overlooking the Val d’Orcia valley.
• Dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.

Day 6: Tour to Cortona, Wine Tour Tasting & Lunch

• Breakfast is served.
• Following breakfast, discover Cortona, the small town made famous by Frances Mayes in her book, “Under The Tuscan Sun,” with driver.  Visit the town, take in artisan shopping, enjoy a glass of Tuscan wine, cappuccino or gelato.
• Following Cortona, your driver continues  to a prized Tuscan winery.  Visit the vineyard, cantina followed by a wine tasting and Tuscan lunch with tasting included.
• Following your excursion, return to the Villa.
• Dinner is on your own with suggestions provided.

Day 7: Departure

• Breakfast.
• Check-out and transfer to Chiusi train station.
• Arrivedeci!

Add on a day or two and explore Luca or Siena with our private driver, extending your stay in beautiful Montepulicano. Please inquire and we’ll be happy to assist.

*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.