Cellar360 Wine Club
Key to the Cellar Program

Each year we set up an exclusive tour for Wine Club Members only. In 2008 we will rent out an entire castle in the Tuscan countryside and spend a week learning about Tuscan food, wine and art.

About the Region:

Perhaps no region of the world personifies the warmth and graciousness of good food and great wine more completely than Tuscany. Its sunny slopes, medieval towns, and rich cultural history provide an irresistible setting for such inviting cuisine and wines. Throughout its colorful history, Tuscany has been a land of important artists and scientists, talented and forward-thinking merchants, and powerful politicians. Its castles, culture, and natural wonders make it a unique and memorable destination for millions of tourists every year. Tuscany's museums, sights, and edible delights are unsurpassed. A special mystique and light envelops this region of Italy, distinct from anywhere else in Europe.

About the Winery:

Castello di Gabbiano has been a part of the Tuscan countryside for nearly a millenium. The castle has been the home and refuge of distinguished Florentine families and its past role in Tuscan life and intrigue could easily fill many pages of a history book. Indeed, Castello di Gabbiano is a Tuscan tradition.

Castello di Gabbiano sits atop a hilly estate among the vineyards of Tuscany. The original 12th century castle has recently been renovated and a modern winery was built just below. The cellar, which lies under the Castello, houses the barrels used to age Castello di Gabbiano wines. The winery produces traditional Chianti, Chianti Classico, Pinot Grigio and two Super Tuscan wines - Bellezza and Alleanza. To see Castello di Gabbiano wines, click here. A Week in the Tuscan Wine Country with a personal tour guide, chef and winemaker is a warm, personal and relaxing way to get to know the wines and gastronomy of the Tuscany region.

The most beautiful feature of the newly renovated estate are the Castle's bedrooms, once occupied by the most prestigious Florentine families. Ten charming and all unique bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, offer guests the maximum comfort. All rooms are double and some of them can accommodate extra guests. A wonderful Tuscan-style breakfast is served in one of the drawing rooms with a view of the castle gardens. During the warmer season our guests can also enjoy the picturesque castle gardens and the panoramic swimming pool.

Perhaps best of all, guests staying at Castello di Gabbiano get a glimpse into the lives and culture of Tuscany’s rural people. They see the estate’s grapes being harvested and made into wine at summer’s end. In November, they watch the olives being picked and pressed (and are welcome to stop by for a taste of freshly pressed oil!). In spring, they see buds on the vines and in winter they watch vineyards being pruned.

About your Hosts:

Cornelia Reali is the director of hospitality of Castello di Gabbiano, as well as the manager of the renovation and decoration work in the castle.  She is also a professional sommelier and been working since 1995 in the Wine Business.  She will be your main contact for your weeklong stay at the Castello.

Winemaker Giancarlo has worked in Tuscany for nearly 30 years and has been associated with Castello di Gabbiano from 1990 to the present. Initially charged with overseeing the preparation of all of the castello's wines, he now supervises the entire winemaking operation. Giancarlo's winemaking philosophy and goal at Castello di Gabbiano is to maximize the quality in the vineyards and to produce wines that speak of their origins. Click here for more on Giancarlo.

Chef Fabrizio Candela graduated in July 1994 from the culinary school “P.Artusi” in Cianciano Terme - Siena. At first he worked in several restaurants in Tuscany but left in October 1996 for Paris where he worked as "demi chef de partie" in the restaurant Paolo Petrini. In 1997 he moved to Amsterdam – where he started as a sous chef and later moved up to chef de cuisine in the restaurnant Bice. He came back to Tuscany and joined Castello di Gabbiano in 2006 as chef de cuisine in Il Cavaliere

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