Joy Uncorked: September 2025 | Issue No. 10

The days that we spend traveling through some of the most gorgeous and delicious places on Earth are our favorite days of the year, and the best part of those days is…YOU. We want to stay connected to the friends we’ve made on those journeys, and to keep you connected to the people, places, and wines that have brought us together. We are also excited about making new friendships, and are looking forward to lots of fun journeys ahead. Read on and join us!

Vintner Varietals: Winemakers We Love

Giuseppe Brancatelli

Our first winery visit on our new journey through Southern Italy is to the Azienda Agricola Biologica Brancatelli, in the heart of Tuscany. The origin of the winery is a love story, between a husband and wife, and between the couple and food and wine and this corner of Italy. Our tour and lunch at the winery is spent in their company, and they fill our glasses and our plates, and share their love through every mouthful.

Giuseppe Brancatelli left his home in Sicily for the Netherlands when he was 22, and there he built a new life as a successful chef and restauranteur. Catherine was a young woman from Ireland hitchhiking through Holland when her passport expired and she found herself stranded. To both their great luck, it was then that Giuseppe and Catherine met and fell in love, and they built a life together in Rotterdam.

In the 1990s, they were ready for a new chapter. Giuseppe’s father had grown grapes and made wine back in Sicily, and Giuseppe, having grown up among grape vines, was called back to his roots. He and Catherine bought an unfarmed piece of land in the Val di Cornia, tucked between wooded hills and the Mediterranean Sea, near the tiny village of Riotorto.

Here they planted traditional French varietals—Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Petit Verdot—which were well-suited to the sandy, mineral-rich soil of the area. They were the first to plant vines on their land, and from the beginning, eschewed the use of chemicals and dedicated themselves to organic practices.

The style of wine yielded by the rocky soil and the cool sea breezes was, in the 1990s, more austere than the ripe, juicy, plush reds that Tuscany was known for. But Giuseppe had a strong sense of what he wanted to create, and he harnessed his finely-honed chef’s palate to create fresh, beautifully balanced, terroir-driven wines that stand apart from other Super Tuscans (Italian wines produced with non-indiginous grape varieties). In 2015, they brought on board the oenologist Graziana Grassini, winemaker at famous Sassicaia, and together they improve the vintages year after year, producing elegant Cabernet blends and lush whites from the native Ansonica and Sangiovese grapes with whimsical names like Amore, Musica, and Valle delle Stelle (Valley of Stars).

On their beautiful, bucolic property, Giuseppe and Catherine also run an agriturismo, with a small restaurant, lovely guest rooms, and a stunning pool. As accomplished as they are as winemakers, they are equally wonderful hosts, and when Giuseppe cooks for us and Catherine opens bottles of their wine, we are so grateful that they’ve included us in their happily-ever-after.

Cultural Terroir: Places We Love

The Villages of Tuscany

Tuscany is the stuff of dreams and movies for a reason, fantastically draped as it is with olive trees and grapevines, studded with a patchwork of medieval villages. These cobblestone enclaves emanate history and fairytales and wine-soaked reveries, and on our Southern Italy tour, we spend time losing ourselves in their charm. We explore Montepulciano, Montalcino, and Pienza, and each take our breath away every time we visit. Also, for our guests who begin their time in Italy in Florence, there are a few exquisite destinations less than a two hour drive away that make for fabulous day trips before embarking on our journey together.

Montepulciano

Perched high on a limestone ridge, Montepulciano’s elegant Renaissance palazzos and sweeping views are heart-stoppingly beautiful. But the real star here is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, one of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious wines. The surrounding vineyards are dominated by Sangiovese (locally called Prugnolo Gentile), producing reds that balance power with finesse. Many wine cellars are tucked directly under the village streets—a hidden city of tunnels, crypts, small fountains, ancient wells, and wooden barrels in which the eponymous wine ages.

Montalcino

In Montalcino, all the cobblestone streets lead upwards to a 14th-century citadel crowning the romantic, storybook, medieval village. The fortress offers a panoramic view of the surrounding, picturesque Val d’Orcia countryside. Nearby are the vineyards of Brunello di Montalcino, the bold, 100% Sangiovese, DOCG wine known for its powerful tannins, high acidity, and beautiful aging potential.

Pienza

Situated between Montalcino and Montepulciano is the village of Pienza. Designed by Pope Pius II to be the ideal Renaissance city, Pienza is a jewel of natural harmony and perspective. While its historic cobbled streets, stunning palazzos, and elegant piazzas have earned it a UNESCO designation, Pienza is equally famous for its Pecorino di Pienza—a salty, nutty cheese made from the aromatic milk of the sheep grazing the Val d’Orcia. Nearby wineries produce Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello, as well as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, making Pienza a delicious crossroads of Tuscany’s best reds.

Bolgheri

Bolgheri, a small village on the Etruscan coast, is famous for its enchanting cypress-lined avenue connecting the old city center with the Oratory of San Guido. The walled town arose around a medieval castle and is tucked into a countryside of olive groves and vineyards. No cars are allowed within the village’s walls, and the lanes are lined with wine shops, restaurants, and trattorias. Bolgheri has its own DOC designation and is home to notable Super Tuscans; vineyards like Sassicaia, Ornellaia, and Guado al Tasso have transformed the village into a pilgrimage site for wine lovers.

San Gimignano

The perfectly preserved medieval hilltop village of San Gimignano distinguishes itself from the other charming hilltop towns we’ve discussed with its striking feudal architecture. Fourteen soaring stone towerhouses mark the skyline, earning the village the moniker “Medieval Manhattan” and an UNESCO designation. The historic center also has several masterpieces of 14th- and 15th-century Italian art housed in their original architectural surroundings. The wine in San Gimignano distinguishes itself as well—here, the vineyards specialize not in reds but in Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a mineral, citrusy white that’s been praised since Dante’s time.

Greve in Chianti

Sitting at the northern edge of the Chianti Classico region, Greve is both a charming village and the unofficial capital of Chianti wine country. Its celebrated triangular piazza is lined with arcades, butcher shops, and enotecas ready to pour a glass of Chianti Classico—historically, this hamlet was one of the major producers of that wine. The nearby vineyards produce reds ripe with cherries, herbs, and earth.

Pairings: Recipes We Love

The meat ragus of Tuscany are less tomato-y and more herbaceous than the Bolognese sauce with which many of us are more familiar. The addition of aromatic juniper berries is another distinctive regional twist. While wild boar meat is commonly used inside Tuscany, a mix of beef and pork sausage is a perfectly delicious substitute. This recipe requires a time commitment, so think of it as a call to a slower Italian pace, and enjoy alongside a glass of a bold Super Tuscan like Brancatelli’s Valle delle Stelle.

New Growth: Joy Of Wine News We Love

Joy Of Wine Friendships

When we first began leading tours, we had many hopes for both ourselves and our guests. But there was one beautiful aspect we never anticipated: the tight bonds of friendship that would blossom between our travelers—and with us too!

Nothing brings us greater joy than witnessing this magical transformation from strangers to family. Over several days of shared meals, bottles of wine, and extraordinary experiences, we watch deep connections unfold before our eyes. So many of you who have traveled with us continue to send updates and photos from your happy reunions, and many coordinate to join us again on future adventures (what an incredible honor!).

When past guests invite us to connect on this side of the Atlantic, we leap at the opportunity. There’s something truly special about the community that forms around our travels—connections that extend far beyond the trip itself. We all leave that final hotel with hearts overflowing and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Here are just a few snapshots of the wonderful reunions that took place this year!

Journey with us in 2025 or 2026!