Tuscany Wine Trail Cycling Tour
Chianti Classico > Montalcino > Scansano > Bolgheri
September 20 – 26, 2020
7-Day/6-night Tuscany Wine Country Cycling Tour
September 20 – 26, 2020
Join me, Italian Chef Deborah Dal Fovo, as I partner with Tuscan winemaker/cyclist Francesco Mazzei to offer this extraordinary enogastronomic-cycling experience in Tuscany for cyclists and non-cyclist partners. My Tuscany Wine Trail Cycling Tour is a 4-stage journey in the rolling hills of Tuscany’s world-famous wine country with breathtaking panoramas at every turn of the route and stops at its 4 most prestigious wine-producing destinations: Chianti, Montalcino, Scansano, and Bolgheri. Held during the “vendemmia” grape harvest period, it’s a full immersion into the world of Tuscan wine and tradition of cycling. Along the route, Tuscany’s iconic food, wine, history, culture give cyclists well-deserved rewards at every stop. With a total of 450 km/280 miles and 7,000m/23,000 feet of climbing, this tour is recommended for cyclists who are well prepared with an adventurous spirit and love of fine Tuscan wine.
This unique tour offers something for everyone by welcoming non-cyclist partners for a tandem program of culinary/cultural activities along the route with meet-ups at destinations for wine tastings, dinners, and lodging—making it the perfect Tuscan experience for active couples and groups of friends!
Day 1: Chianti Classico
• 12:00 – arrival at Castello di Fonterutoli estate in Chianti
• Buffet lunch at Fonterutoli
• Tour of Fonterutoli state of the art winery with wine tasting
• Welcome dinner at Castello di Fonterutoli estate
• Accommodation at Castello di Fonterutoli estate
Day 2: Montalcino
• 7:30-8:30 – breakfast at Fonterutoli
• 8:30/9:00 – depart Chianti for Montalcino (103 kilometers/64 miles; 1992m/6535ft) with stops along the route for site seeing, picnic lunch
• Afternoon – arrive in Montalcino
• 7:30/8:00 – exclusive dinner with Brunello wine tasting
Overview: This increasingly challenging first cycling stage along the “Chiantigiana” road surrounded by the magnificent Chianti Classico vineyards will take us into the heart of Siena, famous worldwide for its immense beauty. We will then continue in the direction of Asciano with a challenging ride up and down through the spectacular Crete Senesi, where the succession of gullies forms a picturesque landscape with lunar features. We will then get to Pienza, a tiny, pretty town and Unesco world heritage site, then to S. Quirico d’Orcia, another important medieval town. After a few kilometers downhill, we tackle the last climb along a stunning landscape to reach beautiful Montalcino, the home of Brunello di Montalcino, one of the world’s most notable wines. Accommodation in hotel in Montalcino.
Day 3: Scansano
• 7:30-8:30 – breakfast
• 8:30/9:00 – depart Montalcino for Scansano (88 kilometers/55 miles; 1700m/5500ft)
• 3:00 – 4:00 arrive in Scansano
• Various rest stops along the route with site seeing, picnic lunch
• 7:00/8:00 – dinner at a local restaurant with Morellino DOCG and Maremma DOC wine.
Overview: A demanding stage that goes across the southern Brunello area and its manicured vineyards to get to Castelnuovo dell’Abate and the magnificent abbey of Sant’Antimo, one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany. We continue descending to the Orcia River to face a long and challenging climb on the slopes of Mount Amiata passing through the towns of Seggiano and Arcidosso, with its lordly medieval fortress “Aldobrandesca”. Another steep uphill stretch to reach Santa Fiora, where the headwaters of the Fiora River give life to a spectacular 16th century fishpond. We then climb for about 4 km with steep sections and short stretches of gravel on a beautiful mountain road. Once on the ridge, we pass by the castle of Triana and the town of Roccalbegna. From there we prepare to tackle the last kilometers to reach the proximity of the town of Scansano, turned in the ‘700s to deputy provincial capital for “estatatura” (the transfer in the summer of the municipal offices from Grosseto due to the risk of malaria), today made famous by its Morellino di Scansano wine. Accommodation at the Antico Casale di Scansano hotel.
Day 4: Maremma
• 7:30-8:30 – breakfast
• 8:30/9:00 – depart Scansano for Donoratico (134 kilometers/83 miles; 1256m/4120ft
• Various rest stops along the route with site seeing, picnic lunch etc.
• Afternoon – arrive Bolgheri
• Visit to Super Tuscan winery in Bolgheri with private dinner
Overview: Long but soft stage with the first kilometers slightly uphill but followed by an enjoyable descent of around 15 km with spectacular views over vineyards and the Tyrrhenian Coast. After a long flat stretch we climb to the ancient town of Massa Marittima, one of the jewels of Maremma. We continue towards the Val di Cornia through surrounding nature reserves to Suvereto, a town that is part of “The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy Club” and famous for its wines. We then face an easy long climb that will lead us to Sassetta from where we will start the descent towards Castagneto Carducci, home of the famed poet Giosuè Carducci. The last few kilometers downhill will bring us to the “Costa degli Etruschi” with overnight stay at hotel Il Bambolo.
Day 5: Bolgheri
• 7:30-8:30 – breakfast
• 9:00 – depart Bolgheri for Chianti Classico (118km/73miles; 2145m/7037 ft) with rest stops along route for site seeing, picnic lunch etc.
• Afternoon – arrive at Fonterutoli
• Cooking class with Chef Deborah Dal Fovo and Fonterutoli chef
• 7:30/8:00 wine dinner at Fonterutoli
Overview: This last and challenging stage will start in the fascinating vineyards of the Via Bolgherese, home to world-renown Super Tuscan wines, taking us to the village of Bolgheri riding along the magnificent cypress-lined road celebrated by Italian poet Carducci. We continue towards Bibbona and Saline di Volterra along an amazing landscape before making the tough climb up to Volterra, a major Etruscan settlement famous for its alabaster. Then in a continuous up and down ride we head to San Gimignano, the wonderful medieval town known around the world for its towers, from which we will reach the nearby Poggibonsi in the Val d’Elsa. The last long and soft climb will take us into the Chianti Classico region to Castellina in Chianti, then to the well-deserved finish back at Fonterutoli.
Day 6: Chianti
• E-bike tour for the entire group through Chianti with winery visits and tastings.
• Lunch in Panzano at celebrated Italian butcher Dario Cecchini’s world renowned Tuscan steak house
• Visit to prestigious winery Castello di Ama and tour of their modern art installations
• Farewell dinner
• Accommodation at Castello di Fonterutoli
Overview: Following our intensive road trip, we will have a relaxing day of touring the Chianti wine appellation on e-bikes to get a taste of the Tuscan “bella vita” and enjoy local food, wine, and culture together.
Day 7: Chianti
• 7:30-9:00 – farewell breakfast and goodbyes
• 11:00/12:00 – check out and departure
Note: *Timing, activities, and itinerary during tour may vary according to unforeseen circumstances, weather conditions, availability, performance, or to enhance the trip experience. Organizer reserves the right to substitute a service/good with one of equal or greater quality.
Guidance and assistance:
We will be accompanied by expert guides, mechanics and masseurs, some of them with long experience in world championships Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta whose assistance we can count on during the journey. We will have everything necessary for emergency repairs, but it is essential that the participants bring with them a kit for repairing any punctures (1 air chamber and 1 can of CO2 with dispenser). It is mandatory to have bicycle checked before departure to avoid wasting time on issues due to poor maintenance.
What to bring:
Due to the limited room in the accompanying vehicles, participants are asked to bring a minimal amount of luggage:
• road bike (full carbon bikes available for rent at extra cost to be booked prior to arrival)
• one bag or trolley suitcase
• cycling clothes for the season
• casual clothes for the evenings
• helmet (mandatory)
• bike water bottle and/or camelback
• tire repair kit with spare tube
• energy bars, gels, and mineral salts.
Road safety:
Participating cyclists must cautiously respect Italian road rules and follow the guide’s instructions.
Health and insurance release clause:
Cyclists are required to provide a copy of a current medical certificate stating that they are fit for cycling and sport activity. They will be provided with an Italian Cycling Association membership that includes liability insurance toward third parties. In order to participate in the tour, cyclists will be asked to sign a release.
Included in tour:
• 6 nights accommodation in destinations: Chianti, Montalcino, Scansano, Bolgheri
• All meals during the tour
• All wines served at dinners and tastings
• Visits to wineries with wine tastings
• Cycling guides, drivers, mechanics and other staff
• Professional mechanics that follow the tour (from Cippolini professional cycling team)
• Accompanying vehicle/s along the route to provide assistance & transport luggage
• Alternative transportation for injured or fatigued cyclists
• Tastings and other gastronomic activities
• Cooking demo/class by Chef Deborah and local guest chef
• Transportation and daily activities for non-cyclist participants (cooking classes,
visits to local artisans, visits to cultural and historical sights + more)
• E-bike rental on last day
• Cyclists will be supplied with food, beverages and supplements during the whole ride.
• Liability insurance toward third parties
• Customized bike shirt and various gadgets (bib and wind vest are available to purchase)
• Tuscan recipes from cooking class packet
Not included in tour:
• Airfare to/from Italy (affiliate travel agent available upon request)
• Transportation to/from Castello di Fonterutoli (available upon request at extra cost)
• Road bike (full carbon bikes available for rent at extra cost)
• Extras in hotels and along the trail
• Massages (professional athletic massages available at an extra cost to be booked in advance)
• Tips for tour guides and bus drivers
• Travel insurance (travel insurance is highly recommended for each participant)
• Energy bars, gels, mineral salt
Pricing & Terms:
•$4,195 per person based on double occupancy.
• Single occupancy rooms available at a supplemental cost of $700.
• $1000 deposit required to reserve spot
• Balance due by June 1, 2020
• Minimum 10 participants (min. 5-6 cyclists + partners), maximum 20 participants
Download the PDF brochure here: 2020-tuscany-wine-trail-cycling-tour
To reserve your spot: A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to secure your spot. Final payment of the remaining balance is by June 1, 2020. Payments can be made using US domestic checks, wire transfers, or credit cards (please note that a 4% transaction fee for payments via credit card is applicable).
If you have any questions or wish to reserve your spot for this tour, please use the contact form below.
Upon receipt of your inquiry, I will send you the necessary booking instructions, payment schedule, and terms & conditions.