I Thought I’d Died and Gone to Heaven! (Tuscany Winery Visit)

Valiano Winery and Villa Residence

On June 9. I met Francesco Andreotti (son of Martina Piccini, an italian winery owner) in Florence and headed down to Siena to “Fattoria di Valiano” (one of their several wineries).

Martina Piccini’s family has been in the wine business since 1882 and theirs is still a family-run business. They have this winery in Siena, one in Montalcino, one in Sicily and a couple of others.

Words and pictures cannot do justice to the beauty of the landscape to, from and at the actual winery. The positive part about so much rain this year is that the valleys are even more verdant than usual. This property was immaculate and very well cared for. Some of their wines have won international prizes and they have often been in Wine Spectator. Their variety of wines runs from family style to high end.
The grandfather apparently has a penchant for modern art and furniture so there was an interesting mix of styles in the tasting room.The grandfather apparently has a penchant for modern art and furniture so there was an interesting mix of styles in the tasting room. He particularly likes an artist who mixes paints with actual musical instruments and this theme is carried out in some of their wines (and on the label of their “supertuscan).”

At this location, they make several Chiantis, including a reserve DOCG, a ‘musical’ Super Tuscan and a Tuscan chardonnay. Of course I sacrificed myself and we tasted them all. The Super Tuscan was a knock-out. Quite a fun morning overall.

Francesco Andreotti The winery is located in a newer building and the homes of Martina and her mother and brother are attached (one is a very old villa). They have blended everything together nicely.

Later, we stopped at a street-side trattoria (rustic restaurant) that could be considered a local truck stop by the ancient hill town of Monteriggione (where only pedestrian traffic is allowed) and had assorted antipasti; fresh and aged Tuscan pecorino, assorted salumi (cured meats), artichokes in olive oil, bruschetta, Tuscan crostini and more. It was fantastic!

 

The drive back was picturesque. It was one of the nicest days I’ve had in Tuscany.

Ciao from Serenella

June 23, 2008 | Filed Under Wine News 

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No Responses to “I Thought I’d Died and Gone to Heaven! (Tuscany Winery Visit)”

  1. Marlene on June 24th, 2008 6:24 pm

    I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I saw the wine pourer :-)

  2. Tuscany Chosen by HBO for the Production of Sopranos Wines | Tuscany Travel Blog on January 7th, 2009 6:36 pm

    [...] the Valiano Estate Winery.  I wrote about my visit to this estate in the blog entry titled “I thought I’d died and gone to heaven!” It is a wonderful historic winery that produces high-quality [...]

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