Wine Tour of Maremma & Bolgheri Wine gems steeped in history

Day 1: Switzerland – Maremma

Journey past Livorno into southern Tuscany, to Marina di Castagneto Carducci. (6 nights at the Tombolo Talasso Resort*****).

Day 2: Tenuta Ornellaia – Bolgheri

Tenuta Ornellaia stands for the pursuit of perfection. Part of the Ornellaia estate was once covered by the Mediterranean; sandy deposits, marl and marine fossils bear witness to this prehistoric era. At somewhat higher elevations, clay soils emerge, interspersed with limestone gravel of varying size. At lunch in the Osteria del Tasso you will discover more wines of the region. In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll through the village of Bolgheri. The small strip of the Bolgheri appellation is strictly speaking part of the Maremma, but, given its great significance as home of the famous wines Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Masseto, it emphasises its independence.

Day 3: Giardino dei Tarocchi

Drive into the hilly hinterland near Grosseto. Here a visit to the Fattoria Le Pupille is on the programme, including a guided tour, lunch and wine tasting. Later you will visit the Tarot Garden near Capalbio, designed by the French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. Gigantic, brightly coloured and thoroughly fairytale-like are the figures that Niki de Saint Phalle conceived for her Tarot Garden in Tuscany. Adults and children alike stand in amazement before the 22 fantastical figures, whose appearance can at times spark pure exuberance in the viewer, yet at others can also frighten and unsettle. Today's finale is the Monteverro winery. Georg Weber found the perfect mineral-rich terroir for his top winery Monteverro. He discovered ideal climatic conditions in this spot, set in a natural bay, for producing world-class wines. A Premier Grand Cru from Tuscany: Monteverro. With his young and highly motivated team, he began producing unique and authentic wines in which you can taste the outstanding terroir. Passion and love of nature make Monteverro unique.

Day 4: Tenuta Argentiera

A highlight is the visit to the Tenuta Argentiera winery, where, in addition to a walk through the vines, you will taste exquisite wines. The Argentiera estate covers a total of 153 hectares. The land, lined with pine avenues, olive trees and woodland, boasts a unique biodiversity that offers the vines optimal growing conditions, as they are largely protected from harmful insects and wild animals and are not exposed to climatic stress.

Day 5: Castiglione della Pescaia

In Castiglione della Pescaia another distinctive winery awaits you: Le Mortelle, which passed into the ownership of the Antinori winemaking family twenty years ago. A leisurely stroll through the charming little town of Castiglione della Pescaia, with its striking castle offering far-reaching views to the island of Giglio and Monte Argentario, rounds off the day.

Day 6: Follonica - Petra Winery

Visit to the weekly market in Follonica. The Petra winery is a spectacular, newly built building by the famous Swiss architect Mario Botta. Most of the production is made up of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Smaller plantings of Sangiovese and Syrah are also present. All plots are planted at maximum density, and part is farmed according to organic principles (in conversion). Mario Botta designed the building's outer shell so that its most striking feature, a staircase, points from earth to heaven. The interior, with all its wine-specific facilities, was developed by Vittorio Moretti and his team of advisers themselves. Afterwards you will stroll through Campiglia Marittima, perhaps the most beautiful little town on the Etruscan Riviera.

Day 7: Maremma - Switzerland

Journey home to Switzerland.