Tuscany - Lucca

When the ship docked in Livorno, we chose to take the bus trip one hour inland to see the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

We passed the leaning Tower of Pisa, olive groves, wheat and sunflower fields and windy country roads before reaching our final destination of  a Vinyard at the top of a hill just outside of Lucca.

The estate had been in the family for three generations.

They produce both wine and olive oil.

First we took a tour of the vinyard. They will soon be yielding this years grapes.

We then had a chance to look around the lovely walled gardens. Tae was most impressed with all the water features.

Then it was down to the wine cellar to learn how it is made and stored. No surprise that this was Tig's favourite part.

After we left the cellar the best bit began - wine tasting. The owner explained all about the different grapes they used and we sampled 3 different types of wine. All I remember is I liked their Merlot best!

Tim tried a sip of the last wine, which was a sweet desert wine similar to sherry - he was not a fan.

Tim and Tae mostly stuck to sampling the local cheeses, dry cured meats, olives and olive oil and bread with their water:) Obviously our food shopper Tim insisted we bought some olive oil to bring home (and it is yummy:)