Days 7 and 8

Italy 2010

Days 7 and 8

Our host took us to several towns and wineries on Day 7 and kept us out of the kitchen for a day. The first stop was at an abbey built for travelers from England and France traveling to Rome and parts south between the years 1000 and 1200. We used to call then Crusaders, but maybe it is politically correct to call them visitors. The monks still chant several times a day, and we were fortunate to make one of the scheduled services.

It’s amazing how old this building is, and it’s easy to imagine the history surrounding it.

After mass, it was off to the local wineries. We think we most likely belong to the peasant class.We went to two fairly good wineries and we preferred the cheapest wine. There are some very dry wines in Italy, too dry for us, and they were the most expensive. One of the wineries had used a medieval cellar. Even the wine casks looked ancient. Unfortunately, none of the wine was to our liking, but the tour was very special.

We were then driven back to Soriano where we were taken to our tour guide’s sister’s villa in the hills above Soriano where an entire home-cooked meal was waiting for us. We didn’t get home until 11:30 P.M. Everyone was so tired.

The next day, Day 8, was a really fun day. After meeting at the bar for breakfast, we took off to the ancient Etruscan walled hill town of Orvieto. After taking the funicolare (tram) to the top and entrance to the village, we hopped on a bus to the huge and beautiful cathedral that is what most tourists come to see. It WAS amazing. We then walked and shopped our way back to the funicolare.

Our next stop was one of the best wineries we have ever visited. It is called Fattoria Madonna Delle Macchie – the Madonna’s Farm of the Tumbleweed. It’s been owned by four generations, and they also make the most wonderful olive oil. Part of the reason we liked it is that it’s small and intimate and very friendly. It dates back to the Estruscan era, and the caves that are for protection and cooling are made in the lava rock.

We were served a buffet lunch, and all the food was made on site. It was indescribably delicious. Of course we were served all the red and white wine we could consume. The ladies from LaFayette fortunately rode the bus home. Also, the olive oil was the best we’ve ever had, but that’s another story we won’t go into.

We then drove to “the villa” (shown earlier – Days 3 and 4) where we proceeded to make limoncello, limoncello cream, hazelnut biscotti, vanilla gelato, and dark chocolate gelato.

Our hosts and chef made the rest of the dinner which was carbonara spaghetti, and a huge arugula and tomato salad….fresher than we’ve ever had. Of course there were the appetizers and all the wine we could possibly drink. We were all so full we didn’t think we could get out of our chairs! That’s when we ate a portion of all the desserts we made. And we smiled the whole time!