Amanda & Philip
Things To Do
Osteria 1126
The main restaurant on site is Osteria 1126. The chef focuses on delivering traditional Tuscan dishes to the each plate, with a twist. We recommend trying any of the pastas and "La Fiorentina." It is super traditional to Tuscany and it is insanely delicious! If you can, ask for it to be cooked rare to medium rare; it's the way the chef recommends it! The tasting menu is also a wonderful option. As we get closer to the wedding date, please call (+39 0577 932240) to make reservations ahead of time. While the entire Cinciano property is exclusive to our party, the restaurant will remain open to the public (a lot of locals eat there!). In addition to the sit down restaurant, Osteria 1126 has a Bistro, which opens and closes around the same time as the restaurant. It offers quicker food items like paninis, bread, meat and cheese plates, etc.
Wine & Olive Oil Tastings
Cinciano's wine and olive oil experts will be available for all guests of the Prestano-LoGalbo affair. When you get to the property, Stefano (who manages the property) can help you sign up for exclusive wine tours around the vineyards and in the cellar. More information here: www.cinciano.it/en/our-production www.cinciano.it/en/our-wines www.cinciano.it/en/olive-oil
La Sosta di Pio VII
This is a must try restaurant in the region! It's owned by a husband and wife and sits within an old farmhouse. The restaurant is just 8-10 minutes away from Fattoria di Cinciano and is super traditional (very few people speak English in the restaurant). Try any and all pasta dishes here: wild boar sauce (trust us!), duck sauce, and any sauce with fresh tomatoes (they will be in season!). We also recommend making reservations here ahead of time: +39 055 80 75 923 or info@osterialasostadipiovii.it.
Siena
Siena is absolutely stunning! It is a great day trip. The medieval city constantly rivals Florence, but the beauty of each city is quite different. Siena reached its peak in the Middle Ages, so the architecture and art is quite different from the renaissance-centered pieces in Florence (it's also much smaller). If you visit, you must see Piazza del Campo, Torre del Mangia, Santa Maria della Scala, Siene Catherdral and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (the oldest surviving bank in the world!). Our absolute favorite restaurant is La Taverna di San Guiseppe (www.tavernasangiuseppe.it). Just trust us and have everything the waiter tells you to (including the truffles!). Osteria da Divo is also very good (www.osteriadadivo.it). More information here: www.visittuscany.com/en/destinations/siena
Greve in Chianti
Greve is on the main scenic road through Chianti, SS 222, also called Chiantigiana. It is known for its beautiful wineries (on mountains, literally), world-famous Chianti Classico (the famous Black Rooster) and "Super Tuscan" wines. If you travel through this region, you must visit Macelleria Falorni in Greve's main piazza (Macelleria means butcher/meat shop and this is one of the most famous in Italy due to its focus on Tuscan wild boar, which run wild all over Chianti). Wineries to visit include: Castello di Verrazzano, Castello Vicchiomaggio, Vignamaggio (not far from Greve; Mona Lisa was born there in 1479 and Kenneth Branagh filmed Much Ado About Nothing there). Try to eat on site at one of them. Otherwise, try La Cantinetta Di Rignana or Ristoro di Lamole for lunch or dinner. More information here: www.visittuscany.com/en/destinations/greve-in-chianti
Panzano & Castellina in Chianti
Panzano and Castellina in Chianti are just south of Greve. They are both very small, but charming towns. Oh, Castellina in Chianti. This is the spot that made us fall in love with Tuscany. Querceto di Castellina is a must for wine tasting and lunch. The views are stunning and the food is fresh Tuscan recipes. It is family owned and operated. My mom and I stayed here two years ago during our trip to Italy. We had the most amazing time. Phil and I haven’t been, but in Panzano, we’ve heard it’s worth a trip to Antica Macelleria Cecchini, which hosts one of the most famous butchers in Italy, Dario Cecchini (try the Porchetta, roasted pig with Tuscan herbs). You should also stop by Fontodi Winery.
Montepulciano & Montalcino
Famous wines (Poggio Antico's famous Brunello di Montalcino is Amanda's favorite!) and rolling green countryside are what you get in this part of southern Tuscany. Both of these towns are worth a visit. A top, warm and inviting restaurant is Ristorante La Chiusa, located just a few miles north of Montepulciano in the tiny village of Montefollonico. The owners, Dania and Umberto Lucherini, transformed an old stone farmhouse into the restaurant and inn, so it's worth staying overnight either before or after the wedding weekend. Most of the food comes from their own farm, including olive oil and white truffles year-round. More information here: + 0577 669 668 or www.ristorantelachiusa.it If you plan to stay in this region, stop by Pienza, where Zefferelli filmed Romeo and Juliet. It is a beautiful hill town in southern Tuscany (40 miles south of Montepulciano) that is famous in Italy for its great fresh pecorino cheese. Seriously amazing cheese.