A Visit with Donatella and back to Cortona
There is an amazing lady, Donatella Cinelli Colombini, who owns two wineries in Tuscany, one for her Brunello di Montalcino that we very much like, and the other for Chianti Superiore DOCG. It is to the latter location that we go for our wine tasting.
Back along twisty roads flanked by the Tuscan landscape we drove. The Garmin does not always behave. Sometimes, it loses a signal. At other times, it is trying to catch up with itself, so we are not exactly sure where we should turn. After a couple of minor detours, we always make it to our destination.
We parked in the shade and headed to the tasting room. There were the steps where we had our group shot last time with Donatella.
I poked my head in one door looking for someone. Alessia’s familar face appeared, and she reconized me, too.
“Did you get my e-mail?” she asked.
“Yes, but I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.”
“Let me have a few minutes, and I will be back.”
So Arnie and I gave our group a quick tour of the garden and pool areas.
Soon, Alessia reappeared, and took us into Donatella’s house. It is a beautiful house, and the kitchen is very special. Because it is a private house, however, those photographs remain ours alone. We do not share them out of respect for Donatella and her privacy. She is gracious enough to permit us access to a few of her rooms.
Everyone was enchanted. But it was time to head down into the wine caves. Alessia showed us a room that was not open on our last visit. Rows of bottles, all wrapped in plastic to protect the labels against the humidity, reflected the light.
People spread out and found all sorts of wonderful shots.
The caves had been rearranged since the last time we were here. For us, that afforded us different views. I was struck by the shadows of the barrels on the tile floor.
It was a lovely afternoon, and Alessia was a wonderful hostess. It was time for tasting, and we sat around one of the larger tables, rehydrated with water, then learned about the two selections we were going to sample.
We started with the Chianti, a lighter wine made in the tradition of the Tuscan countryside. It would make a good picnic wine or paired with cheese and white dishes.
Our preferences go to fuller-bodied Brunellos, so we were delighted to taste the 2008. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and had seconds. Arnie and I, being designated drivers, had to just have a little taste. We knew we would have more later at dinner.
It was a great place for the group shot, and we had Alessia join us. Then, everyone made their purchases. For us, it was four lovely bottles of Brunello plus some other Fattoria (farm) goodies for presents to take home.
It had been a lovely afternoon, and many found this location to be the richest for photography with all its options, but it was time to take our leave and head back to Cortona while there was still light.
It was such a treat to actually drive the whole route in daylight! Those windy roads can be challenging in the dusk or dark!
Back in Cortona, we pointed out the beautiful, glowing light. Our group were now seeing it for themselves.
I found a scene and showed them once again that patience wins out. It took quite some time before the “right” people came into the shot, and while I would have preferred the elderly lady with the shopping bag who was hidden by a nondescript man coming the other way, or the older gentleman in the doorway, also spoiled by another person in the shot, this combination worked.
I don’t know about you, but one of the things I think about when I think of Italy is the fine leather they produce. We saw it in bags, men’s footwear and “man purses”, and of course, shoes for the ladies.
Each Italian city and village has its duomo, the main cathedral of church. The one in Cortona is classic, and as the sun was setting, it was stunning, a glint of the sun reflected in one of the windows.
And for our final dinner, we returned to that same restaurant. We called it our last supper … for this round, as we suspect we will see everyone again. All but one was already an alumna or alumnus.
We sat at the “original” table, and once I have the time to download the cell photos, I’ll post some of the food.
Meanwhile, it was a terrific way to end yet another wonderful day.
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Lovely photos, especially the duomo in Cortona.
Thank you! I tried different vantage points, but this is the only one that worked for me in this light, and it was gorgeous light!
Thanks for commenting, and take care,
TBC