Greenville restaurant GM leads trip to explore food and wine in Tuscany
Jianna, a downtown restaurant known for its elevated Italian-inspired cuisine, featuring dishes from all regions of Italy, also offers a flavor-filled journey straight to the heart of Tuscany.
“The trips were first inspired by a friend who lives in Montalcino and who, like me, is extremely passionate about great food and wine,” says Michael Kramer, owner and chef at Jianna. “We thought we could share a unique food experience with others who feel the same way.”
Kramer said that the experiences during a trip last year included an exceptional winemaker dinner with a private chef. The culinary adventure is “a great way to get close to regional dishes and famous Florentine steaks,” he says. “We went truffle hunting and visited cathedrals and sights with our private tour guide – it was personal and one of the most memorable trips I’ve experienced.”
The next trip in Jianna’s travel series is set for Tuscany in April, with curated tours of Montalcino, Montepulciano, Florence and Pienza.
Expert-guided excursions grant insider access to Tuscany’s culinary gems. Here, every bite has a story. Visit the farms and sources of many artisanal treasures Tuscany is known for, such as olive oil, cheese, and prized Tuscan meats, like heirloom Cinta Senese pigs. A lineup of interactive classes includes pasta-making and cooking with truffles.
Wine tastings are an immersive experience that combines history, culture and art. Travelers explore vineyards, meet producers and taste some of the region's most revered wines at top wineries in Montalcino, the homeland of Brunello.
Highlighting seasonal Tuscan dishes, dining experiences are arranged at wineries, farms and some of Montepulciano's most highly-rated restaurants. At historic Osteria Porta di Bacco, a five-course feast celebrates regionally focused ingredients, and specialties like roasted pig and classic duck ragu with pasta, paired with locally produced wines curated by an on-site wine shop. At Antica Trattoria II Marzocco, savor Old World classics like rabbit terrine, beef tagliatelle and hand-rolled Pici pasta.
Your home base for this culinary adventure is Villa Benefizio, a luxury hotel situated within the hills of Tuscany. Surrounded by fragrant gardens, ancient olive groves and vineyards, the intimate villa features a Wellness Center with an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.
Beyond the pleasures of food and wine, there’s plenty of free time built-in to explore on your own, such as shopping excursions in Florence, spa treatments and a visit to a natural thermal bath.
“It’s a bucket list trip of a lifetime for many,” says Jianna General Manager and Managing Partner Andrea Ciavardini-Royko. “From food, wine and culture, it hits everything you need to experience the best of what Tuscany has to offer -- plus you get to drink some really good wine.”
Back in Greenville, Jianna connects diners with Tuscany's culinary traditions through special tasting events held throughout the year.
“The trip has created long-lasting bonds,” Ciavardini-Royko says. “Those who have traveled with us in the past regularly get together for a reunion.”
Look for winemaker’s dinners, wine-tasting workshops, and other culinary-focused events at Jianna that tap into the Tuscany travel series. For more info, visit jiannagreenville.com.
YOU CAN GO
Join wine expert Andrea Ciavardini-Royko, General Manager and Managing Partner at Jianna, on an immersive culinary journey to Tuscany, April 20-27, 2024. This seven-day curated excursion includes exclusive tastings at notable wineries, elevated dining experiences, cooking workshops, spa treatments, private tours, and more. Space is limited. The deadline to register is March 15, 2024. For details and more info, contact andrea@jiannagreenville.com