Excursion S.a.l.t. fire & grapes: an italian barbecue feast with wines on the tuscan hills tour at Livorno

Fattoria Sardi, Lucca Hills, Vineyards

The hills outside Lucca provide fertile terroir for some of Italy's most coveted wines and Fattoria Sardi has quickly become a reference for the country's biodynamic and organic production. With over 40 acres cultivated with Sangiovese, Vermentino Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, harvested by hand, Sardi's production includes rosé, red and white wines full of character (there is also an exceptional sparkling Pet Nat). Nestled between the Apuan mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, the vines benefit from abundant sunshine, constant ventilation, and cool nights. The farm, which was founded in the 18^th century and beautifully restored in 2006, is managed by a young couple. It boasts woods, olive groves, orchards, wheat and legume fields, as well as rooms for its guests and a dedicated chef's table, custom-built for one of Italy's most talented young culinary talents, Damiano Donati.

Donati, formerly of Lucca's award-winning Punto restaurant, created a full experience around fire-cooking using the best local, seasonal ingredients. He even designed 2 special barbecues, personally supervising their manufacture by local artisans, and a Georgian oven (similar to a tandoor), which he built himself.

Vineyard & Cellar Tour

You will depart from the port of Livorno with your English-speaking guide and your driver, towards the Fattoria. Here you will be greeted by the farm's staff who will introduce the farm's slow and sustainable philosophy and guide you on a tour of the vineyards and the cellar

Chef Damiano Donati

You will then meet chef Damiano Donati: his culinary philosophy is based on selecting the best ingredients and preparing them in the way that most enhances their natural flavors, while maintaining their nutritional values intact, whether it's oven baked pasta, roasts, stews or grilled vegetables and legumes cooked in clay pots, Tuscan-style. He also makes delicious sourdough bread with heirloom local wheat in the farm's own wood fired oven. Unsurprisingly he lands a hand in the estate's winemaking (though his specialty is cider).

Lunch & Wine Pairing

Donati will cook right in front of you, and together you will then enjoy an authentic Italian feast, with mixed antipasti (vegetables and legumes), pasta, fire-cooked meat and dessert, accompanied by a tasting of Fattoria Sardi's wines. Remember as you enjoy the best flavors of Tuscany, to take a deep breath, look around you and take in the arresting view. It doesn't get much better than this.

Time to start the 60-minute drive back to the Port of Livorno.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Family-run Fattoria Sardi, a 50 acres organic farming wine estate on the hills outside Lucca, with woods, olive groves, farmed fields and beautiful vineyards. You will also visit the estate's cellar and then have a lunch prepared just for you by the house chef, Damiano Donati, on his custom-made barbecues and tandoor oven.

Note

Please note: This tour involves a minimal amount of walking of approximately 100 mt over some gravel and few steps. This tour is suitable for guests with limited mobility and those on a wheelchair, however guests must be able to climb few steps and get on and off the vehicle independently. Guests on Wheelchair should be accompanied by another guest willing to assist as some gravel must be crossed, Vineyard is accessible only in the first part. Guests are advised to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, hat, sunscreen and a warm jacket during shoulder season. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. In case of bad weather, fire-cooking may not be performed and the chef will cook it in the inside window open Kitchen. When seated in the inside restaurant some guests will be seated on stools. Guests are advised to inform of any dietary restrictions ahead of time, as accommodating restrictions may be limited by the nature of the experience. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.