Why this Tuscany
The slow rhythm of life on the Tuscan Coast
We live on the Etruscan Coast, a unique stretch of land tucked between rolling hills and the Mediterranean Sea. This is not the Tuscany of guidebooks and packed itineraries.
Bolgheri, at the heart of this region, is a peaceful destination with a legendary name in the world of wine. This is the birthplace of the Super Tuscans, home to iconic wines like Sassicaia and Ornellaia.
Every day, the landscape here takes our breath away: a countryside dotted with medieval towers and castles, rolling down to sandy beaches and ancient pine forests. Just minutes from our farmhouse, we love riding our bicycles along the Wine Road to the world-famous Viale dei Cipressi, the iconic cypress avenue that leads to the village of Bolgheri and its red-brick castle.
This is our home, where we have lived our daily lives for over two decades. We host only a few trips each year for eight people, inviting you to experience the life of our small paradise, from the crowds and close to the sea.
Our days together are spent among medieval villages, Mediterranean beaches (with a cappuccino!), and the vineyards of the Bolgheri region, tasting exceptional wines and sharing meals at our favorite restaurants. You’ll meet passionate cheesemakers and wine producers, connect with local artisans, and gather with me in my kitchen for hands-on cooking. We’ll make fresh pasta from scratch as I share my family recipes, using seasonal vegetables and extra virgin olive oil grown right on our property.
It’s our simple way of sharing the Tuscan life we love.
The wine
A small wine region with an incredible story
Bolgheri is a modern legend in Italy’s ancient wine tradition. This small region became world-famous only in the last fifty years, thanks to the vision of Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, creator of Sassicaia.
By planting French grape varieties, he proved this part of Tuscany could produce exceptional wines, paving the way for the famous Super Tuscans. Today, Bolgheri is a small but prestigious wine area with a unique Mediterranean microclimate.
During your stay, you’ll visit selected wineries for private tastings and enjoy a unique experience: a winemaker will join us for a cooking class and a guided wine pairing around the dishes we prepare together in my kitchen.
Read about your wine experience
Food & Cooking Classes
Home cooking and local tables
I am an architect by degree and a cyclist by passion. But since 2002, my true calling has been in the kitchen, sharing authentic Italian recipes I learned from my nanny, Lina.
She cared for my family for 54 years, from my greatgrandmother down to my mother and me.
During your stay, we will spend a special part of our time together in my kitchen. We’ll cook our recipes from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients from my garden or local farms.
By combining home cooking with visits to our favorite local restaurants, you’ll dive into a world of different flavors. From fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables to handmade pasta and the classic Tuscan steak, you’ll experience the full, diverse palette of our region. And I didn’t mentioned the gelato!
Read about your culinary experience
The places
Medieval hilltop towns and daily excursions
Every day, we set out to explore the historic towns that make this region so special. These are relaxed outings with very little driving, allowing us to truly slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Iconic places like Volterra and Populonia are just a short distance away. Closer to home, we’ll visit Castagneto Carducci, a charming village overlooking the Mediterranean, and Bolgheri, reached via the famous cypress-lined avenue celebrated by the Nobel Prize-winning poet Giosuè Carducci.
Together, we’ll wander through centuries-old cobbled streets and castles, meeting local artisans and experiencing the quiet magic of Tuscan village life. All transfers are included.
Read more about the villages
Your hosts
Who we are
Hello! I’m Chicca. Born and raised here in Italy, I run my cooking school in my farmhouse on the Bolgheri Wine Road since 2002.
I live with my husband, Arnaud, a French copy writer, photographer and video-maker.
Together, we’ve turned our passion for this land into tailormade food and wine tours, a way for small groups to experience the Tuscany we know and live in every day.
We want to share the soul of our home with you, focusing on the things we love most: local flavors, incredible wines, and life stories. Since it’s just the two of us, we we host only eight guests at a time so we can truly design the experience around you.
Whether you speak Italian, English, or French, we can’t wait to welcome you to our corner of Tuscany!
Read more about our story
What’s to come
A glimpse into the experience
Here’s a beautiful video Arnaud filmed during our last trips to give you a feel for what’s to come. Throughout your stay, he will be behind the camera documenting our entire journey with photos and video. Get ready to be our “models” for the trip and go home with beautiful memories captured for you.
Your stay
A hillside boutique hotel, facing the sea
We have carefully selected a hotel that feels more like a private villa than a typical resort. You will stay at a locally-owned boutique hotel within easy walking distance of Castagneto Carducci, featuring incredible views over olive groves and vineyards stretching toward the Mediterranean.
This historic property was once a traditional farmhouse. Today, it has just seven rooms, ensuring a quiet, intimate atmosphere. The owner, Luca, is a charming host who dedicates personal attention to every guest, making your stay feel truly special.
Each morning, the staff prepares fresh, homemade breakfast treats, adding a touch of warmth to your stay. You are going to love their apple cake!
Read about your stay
Testimonials
Sally & Rowe
Australia
“Treat yourself to a wonderful experience and tour with Chicca her charming Tuscan village, taste delicious pasta, gelato, and many other local specialties. It’s an unforgettable immersion in Tuscan culture, and we felt like locals!”
Jacqueline C
New York, NY
“We loved Castagneto Food tour. We sampled several traditional Tuscan recipes paired with great wines from the area. Lots of food! Our guide was great and told us stories about ancient history and local life as we toured in Castagneto. I learned a lot and had fun!”
Kylee T
Indianapolis, IN
“I would highly recommend Tuscan Wine & Food Tours! We did Bolgheri Food Tour, this village is stunning! We tasted delicious local food and amazing wines. We learn a lot about history, wine culture and traditional recipes from our fun and knowledgeable guide. Don’t miss it!”
Let’s meet.
Before you join us, we’d love to invite you to a brief Zoom chat. You’ll meet Arnaud and me live from Tuscany, so we can answer your questions and ensure this is exactly the experience you’re looking for you.
A presto,
Chicca & Arnaud
Call or get in touch with us for pricing and availability
chicca@cookingintuscany.cc | +39 333 4234 217
