Our next Med port was Livorno. This is the closest port to
Florence and Pisa. Since we had visited Pisa previously, we decided to travel
into the Tuscany area for a wine tasting.
As we were leaving the ship, we saw window after window with
towel animals in them.
On our way to Tuscany, we
passed by an old water viaduct that had been split in two for the roadway.
The leaning tower of Pisa is
not the only tower that leans in Italy.
As we leave the highway and
begin our travel in Tuscany, through medieval towns.
As we get to the winery, we
have to pass under this railroad bridge.
We are visiting Fattoria Il
Poggio, which is in Northern Tuscany near Montecarlo di Lucca (Pinocchio’s
birthplace).
After a short walk, we get to
the winery.
We are taken on a walk to the
vineyards for an explanation of how the vines are maintained and the grapes are
picked. Notice this old water fountain.
This is just one of their
vineyards.
This is one of the owners and
he talks about his vines and the grapes they have.
We get a chance to taste
seven different wines from the vineyard. We are told that their operation is
small and if they produced more wine, then they would not be entitled to
receive the coveted awards they are entitled to because of their size.
Each bottle of wine was
explained and we were taught how to actually taste wine. After the wine tasting
(with snacks) we visited the cellar where they store some of their wine.
We were told that we would be
greeted by a big dog named Oscar. He did greet us and by the time we were ready
to leave he was wore out. Rexie is 5’2” and this dog was as long as she is tall.
But he was extremely friendly, but the heat had him down.
On the walk back to the bus,
we had a perfect picture of the tree-lined lawn with the railroad bridge in the
background.
I must be off!