SUSTAINABILITY IN SAN GIMIGNANO AREA
Join our private tour to a certified organic farm located in the breathtaking countryside between San Gimignano and Volterra, skillfully managed by two women. Learn about their unique saffron production and the cultivation of various herbs, emblematic of Mediterranean vegetation. Delight in the aromatic presence of sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, and bay leaf and enjoy a healthy lunch.
The adventure continues in the afternoon with the visit to a sustainable winery in the San Gimignano region, producing some of the best Vernaccia wines!
A small family-run farm in heaven!
Tired of crowdy and touristy places in Tuscany? This is the tour for you! A half-day dedicated to marvelous setting of rolling hills, unspoiled woods of authentic Mediterranean vegetation and gently farmed fields, only surrounded by peace, fresh air and fragrant perfumes of plants, herbs and flowers! During the visit to this small organic farm, you have the chance to meet Elena, a gracious lady who inherited a middle-sized property from her parents and who had the vision of rising her kids in such a spectacular context. She leads the business partly helped by a sister and a brother and she is particularly good at creating delicious and healthy organic products with all the plants and vegetables she grows.
An alternation of colors and perfumes
Hardly anywhere else in our region you can find such a large variety of different spontaneous plants growing right next to a stunning vegetable garden and to a field of Mediterranean aromatic herbs! The visit to Elena's farm allows you to familiarize with a huge variety of typical plants of the Mediterranean scrub, a thick and bushy vegetation growing in the coastal areas of Southern Europe dense with flowers, berries and aromatic leaves. You will learn about the multiple uses of it that locals have been making for centuries.
Elena will be happy to show you the seasonal vegetables that she is growing in her garden and that will be brought to the table for your lunch: zucchini, eggplants, tomatoes, lettuce, bell peppers in the Summer but also cauliflower, pumpkins, leek in Autumn.
Furthermore, you will see how typical Mediterranean herbs grow and you will experience how they wonderfully smell. You will see sage, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, rosemary and many more…When in season, you'll also see the pretty flowers of the saffron plants and discover everything about this precious gift of nature. You'll understand how saffron colors goes from purple to red and then to yellow!
A delicious lunch al fresco
At the end of our visit to Elena's organic farm you will sit in a little patio by her house and you will taste a series of mouthwatering delicacies made by her in person. You will have a bruschetta with her extra virgin olive oil and fine herbs, a salad of farro, or spelt, dressed with her fresh tomatoes, a selection of pickled vegetables, several delicious and very original sweet & sour jams that will pair a delicious local pecorino cheese, fresh and grilled vegetables of the season and a little dessert with saffron. It will be a great buffet of produce cultivated within the property!
Wine tasting at a sustainable winery
The journey continues with a visit to one of the most appreciated producers of the celebrated white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano where to enjoy a guided tasting of a curated selection of 3 wines (2 whites + 1 red) and an interesting visit to their wine cellars.
Vernaccia is a type of white grape that has a pale straw-yellow to golden color, a fine aroma, and a dry taste with a slightly bitter finish. As early as 1200, documents show the important trade of the Vernaccia grape. Since then, the production of Vernaccia wines has constantly evolved, and in 1993, it became the first Tuscan white wine to receive DOCG status.
This winery is certified as a Sustainable Organisation by Equalitas. This certification shows that the winery works in a sustainable way in all its activities, taking care of the environment, society, and the economy.
After the visit to the winery, you can extend your day by visiting the town of San Gimignano on your own, or you can add a private guided tour with a licensed partner guide. Ask for a quotation.
This is a list of specialties that you are likely to sample as part of the program of this tour. Please, note that the specialties of the tasting session and/or lunch may vary according to the season and the availability of the products in the day of the tour.
A plate of mixed bruschettas, topped with fresh tomatoes, cheese and sausage, arucola and lemon juice or simply extra virgin olive oil. Bruschettas are very common appetizers in all Italy and in Tuscany they are commonly called crostini. You can top grilled bread with almost anything that comes to your mind and served varied and […]
Pecorino cheese is the most famous cheese from Tuscany. It derives from sheep milk, from which the name comes: in Italian sheep is “pecora”. It can be fresh or long-aged and its taste can vary from mild to very sharp.
A great Super Food from Tuscany: the Farro. The spelt salad is a delicious salad based on boiled farro (Italian for a grain called “spelt”, similar to barley) and dressed with seasonal fresh vegetables like tomatoes, pickled artichokes and carrots, olives and capers.
The best extra virgin olive oil is made with fresh Tuscan olives immediately squeezed after the harvest at an oil mill. The most common olives for Tuscan olive oil are frantoio, leccino, frantoio and madremignola. EVOO is produced every year in October and November.
A salad of mixed seasonal vegetables including lettuce, radicchio and carrots. In Tuscany green or mixed lettuce salads are usually dressed with extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar and salt. We serve salad as a side dish accompanying the main course, like meat or fish based dishes. It never comes before pasta though.
Cantuccini biscuits in Tuscany are one of the most common desserts. They are made of sugar, butter and eggs and they are refined with almonds. In some versions they have other dry nuts or chocolate. Outside of Italy they are also called “biscotti”.
An assortment of fruit juices are the best way to start your day during our breakfast services. The common juices are apple, red orange, regular orange, peach, pear, grapefruit or apricot based. We can also squeeze fresh oranges upon request.
Tuscan white wines are often based on a typical grape called Vermentino, which provides strong minerality and freshness to the wines made with it. The area of San Gimignano provides the one and only white wine DOCG in Tuscany: Vernaccia. Other very common grapes for white wines in Tuscany are Trebbiano and Malvasia.
The Tuscan soil provides a wide variety of red wines, from easy-to-drink young table wines to full-body and robust riservas. Tuscan red wines are often based on Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo or Colorino grapes and sometimes on international grapes like Merlot, Cabernet or Syrah. The most curious experiements are recently involving Alicante and Tempranillo!
In our tour we like showing you places off the beaten track and introducing you to Tuscan people with their personal stories, careers and characters.
You will have one of our guides with your party during the whole tour. Please, see below all the guides who can be with you.
During this experience you can also meet some of the Tuscan friends involved in the events. Please, see below which friends you are likely to encounter.
Alessandro
guide
Alessandro
Tour leader at Arianna & Friends'
Buongiorno! My name is Alessandro. I was born and raised in a charming village near San Miniato, and I’ve spent my life immersed in the beauty of Tuscany. After traveling to England and Spain, I returned home to share my passion for my region. With years of experience in the hospitality industry, including roles in restaurants, hotels, and pubs, I’ve honed my skills in providing exceptional guest experiences. My sommelier training has deepened my knowledge of Tuscan wines and cuisine.
I am a thoughtful and patient person, always ready to solve problems and ensure every guest feels cared for and well looked after. Now, as a proud member of the Arianna & Friends team, I’m thrilled to share the stories and traditions of my homeland with visitors from around the world. Join me on a journey through the heart of Tuscany, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes come together.
Cristiano
guide
Cristiano
Tour leader at Arianna & Friends'
My name is Cristiano, and I live just outside the walls of Pisa, not far from the Leaning Tower. When I was a child, I lived in Mexico with my family, where I attended an international school in English. I graduated from a linguistic high school and speak English, Spanish, and French. I also worked for many years as a travel agent and managed tourist reception activities in Morocco.
Since 2024, I have been part of the Arianna & Friends team. Passionate about traveling the world, I love meeting new people and exchanging experiences and stories with them. I’ve been told I am a very charming and fun person, and many of the cooking classes where I act as the story-teller end with me singing traditional Italian songs alongside the chef, and sometimes even with our guests! I’m energetic, love sharing entertaining stories, and enjoy laughing with our guests while introducing them to Tuscan recipes, culture, and lifestyle.
My role here also includes being a tour leader for e-bike and Vespa tours, and my favorite activity to lead, beyond cooking classes, is the hands-on cheese-making experience
In my free time, I play tennis, love traveling to Asia, and enjoy hiking through the Tuscan hills with my friends and my dog, Ciccio.
I look forward to welcoming you in Tuscany and sharing unforgettable moments together!
Yvonne
guide
Yvonne
Tour leader and wine expert at Arianna & Friends'
Dé – people smile at me, when I say it
But this is what Livorno, my beloved port town at the Tuscan sea, did to me – it placed itself into my heart. My name is Yvonne, and I have been living in several places on the world, but Tuscany kept calling me …
and here I am.
I love the wind, the sea, good wine and nature. In one word: Tuscany.
I love to share my passion and expertise about wine as a gift of nature with people. It makes me happy, when I hear people laugh while they enjoy a stunning E-bike ride through the rolling Tuscan contryside. And I love seeing their eyes shine when they discover the fascinating transformation of olives into delicious extra virgin olive oil.
Let’s enjoy it together – as your travel companion and tour guide, I am happy to make you discover the hidden gems and dive into the vibes of Tuscany.
Luca
guide
Luca
Tour leader and websites content manager at Arianna & Friends'
Ciao Amici!! My name is Luca. I’m in my 40s and I’m probably one of the most energetic and fun-loving guides at Arianna & Friends
Like some of my colleagues, I have a multi-tasking role in the company. I am one of the content managers of our websites, especially during the winter, and when the season starts, I work as a tour leader.
Sometimes I also take care of bookings directly, and I often carry out site inspections to meet new collaborators and service providers, so we can be sure that every year the company offers new and interesting tours. From March to October, I lead almost all types of wine & food tours and cooking classes at Arianna & Friends. My favorites are truffle, olive oil, e-bike, and Vespa tours. Riding a Vespa through our wonderful hills is a must-do while in Tuscany, of course, only if you know how to ride a scooter!
When I started working for Arianna & Friends back in 2011, I was only able to prepare a very simple pasta al pomodoro (pasta with tomato sauce). Now, after so many years of cooking classes and thanks to our wonderful cooks, I am a very good chef (but please, don’t tell my wife!).
My motto is “Smile, you are in Tuscany.” I’m happy and very proud when I see people enjoying my country and having fun in Tuscany. Join us! Join me! Let’s have fun together!!
Moira
guide
Moira
Pisa city tour guide & and tour leader at Arianna & Friends'
Ciao a tutti! My name is Moira, and I originally come from the north-west of Italy, from the city of Turin. I moved to Tuscany in 2012, immediately falling in love with the culture, the arts and history, the food, and of course, my favourite!, the wines of this beautiful region.
I started working with Arianna & Friends back in 2013 as an assistant at the Tourist Information Office of a small hilltop village, where our office was initially located. Later, I obtained my city guide license, and today I am the city tour guide on the team for the main towns of Pisa, Volterra, and San Miniato, as well as for some of our less famous tiny villages, which hide many secrets and have such a loooong history, such as Lari, Lajatico, and Peccioli.
I also obtained a license as an official truffle hunter, but I’m still mainly a truffle eater! My enthusiasm for learning new things never stops. I even learned how to become a professional olive tree pruner. When I’m not on tour, walking around our amazing places talking about art, culture, and history, or discovering local specialties together with our guests, you’ll find me in the office, taking care of bookings and reservations. I specialize in organizing active and fun weekends for groups of girlfriends.
I really hope to meet you soon to show you around our beautiful land, and since I come from another region, I can also reveal some secrets that Tuscan people will never confess!!
Elena and Elisa
friend
Elena and Elisa
Elena and Elisa are two very experienced and enthusiastic farmers of Sardinian origin who produce saffron, herbs, olive oil, grains and fruits in a spectacular farm in the woody hills between Volterra and San Gimignano. Their property is in one of the most panoramic locations in Tuscany, the quintessence of the Tuscan landscapes.
ACCESSIBILITY:
This tour includes some walk on terrain that is not always flat and a few more challenging stretches. If you have any accessibility needs — whether mobility-related, sensory, cognitive, or any other requirements — please let us know in advance and we will do our best to adapt the itinerary for you. LOCATION OF ATTRACTIONS:
This tour takes place in the rural area between Volterra and San Gimignano. MEET-UP LOCATION:
Unless differently specified, the tour guide meets you at a meeting point near Volterra or San Gimignano. DURATION:
This program takes 5 hours. Time for transportation not included. AVAILABILITY:
Available all the year through, from Mondays through Saturdays. LANGUAGE:
This tour is available in English language. German, French, Spanish or Italian are also available with no surcharge. DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Easy CHILD FRIENDLY:
Ideal for children CLOTHING:
Comfortable shoes and clothes recommended. FOOD RESTRICTIONS:
The foods served during this tour might contain gluten, lactose, nuts and alcohol. If you have any food restriction, please inform our personnel during the enquiry process. TRANSPORTATION:
This program and its rates do not include transportation and are set on a self-driving base. For further information see the box "transportation options".
The destinations reached during this activity are in the Tuscan countryside, in areas off the beaten track that cannot be reached by public transport. We highly recommend renting a car or a scooter in order to reach them. As an alternative, we can offer a valued service by chauffeured car, van or minibus. Any cost of transportation is to be added to the rates displayed on the rate table of this page.
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