Top 8 Things to do in Gallicano, Tuscany

Reviewed By LivingLovingItaly - Naples, Italy

This is a must stop for any wine lover anywhere near Barga. Reserve a tasting and lunch overlooking this family vineyard and prepare to be impressed with the wine, the history, the biodynamic method and especially Susanna the fabulous hostess. We stayed at the Renaissance for a long weekend in Barga and learned about this gem from George the hotel manager. We had a 1pm reservation on a Sunday. Susanna greeted us and gave us the history of the winery. Her father is the winemaker and decided to go into biodynamic wine making 20 years ago. Susanna explained the use of herbs, and manure to keep the grapes from any chemicals. She explained how they #FollowTheMoon to produce all the wines. They produce 18,000 bottles a year with one machine to bottle, one to cork, one to label. The family and a few friends harvest the grapes in September over a few weeks, foot stomp the grapes and the results are absolutely fabulous wine. All four we tasted were delicious. As if the wine isn’t enough, the lovely lunch is all farm fresh ingredients and local products from salami to the creamiest fontina I’ve ever tasted. Susanna makes the focaccia bread and the sautéed vegetables from the farm too. Nothing is wasted and Susanna makes beauty products from the skin/seeds. The lavender body scrub and body lotions plus soaps are wonderful. The white combo of Pinot and Chenin blanc and Rose from Syrah were perfect summer wine. The 2018 Melograno with fresh tomato pasta was heavenly. Finally the Vigna Piezza Syrah was slightly heartier and delightful too. The attention to every detail including the tour, the stunning views and stellar wine is a very special stop in Toscana. We will be back!