The villa at Villa Pillo - owned by an American - the same guy that owns the famous Pinot Noir producer Williams-Selyem in California.
Our host Pamela at Villa Pillo
Greve-in-Chianti. Our stop before going on to Poggio Scalette. This is the one place that I had time to go to an internet cafe and send an update to everyone at home.
Poggio Scalette. The owner's son, who is also the winemaker, had to shuttle us up from town 3 or 4 at a time because the road was too narrow for our bus. This was one of our favorite places and favorite wines. The owner, Vittorio Fiore, who is fairly well known in the Tuscan wine world and consults with the previously visited Le Calvane, was not present. Son, winemaker and part-time shuttle driver Jurij hosted us.
Poggio Scalette vineyards sloping steeply below the deck seen in the previous picture.
The owner's residence at Poggio Scalette. We had dinner with the family in the upstairs room and it was quite excellent, inspiring some of my post-trip cooking. It did not hurt to be drinking 2001 Il Carbonaione from magnums followed by some '92 of the same (the only wine made at this property). I believe '92 was the debut vintage.
The Wine Warehouse of St. Petersburg representatives sur place on the overlook at Poggio Scalette. Great to be here!
Jurij Fiore explains Poggio Scalette's vinyard practices to the group.