Morning: Your private chauffeured Mercedes and elegant English-speaking driver will pick you up at your hotel in Padua or the surrounding area, then head south to the wine hills. The drive is about 40 minutes, so sit back in your comfortable Mercedes and relax. Your first stop is a leading small estate run by Paolo Brunello, a passionate winegrower and accomplished cellist. Begin with a tour of the lovely vineyards, and learn about the grapes grown here, from whites like Tocai, Moscato, and Garganega to reds such as Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
You will taste the range of wines at this boutique estate and carry on to beautiful Arquà Petrarca (considered one of the loveliest medieval hamlets- “Borgo”- in Italy). Italians associate this little 14th-century village with the poet Francesco Petrarca, who lived out his last years here (indeed, his Venetian marble tomb is here, too).
Lunch: A cozy trattoria awaits you, where you will taste local dishes paired with Colli Euganei wines. A local specialty is bigoli col ragù: thick strands of fresh pasta served with duck ragù.
Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy some free time to explore medieval Arquà Petrarca on your own. Your last stop today is a spectacular monastic estate dating back to the 12th century, now featuring manicured gardens, luxuriously appointed rooms often used for weddings, and a working organic and natural winery. You will explore the beautiful estate and castle, followed by a wine tasting directly from oak cask and amphora! If we arrange this tour for you at harvest time, you will have the opportunity to participate in the harvest and learn about ancient winemaking methods.
After the final tour and tasting, your driver will return you to your hotel in Padua.
