FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

2014 DaVinci Storyteller Experience

December 30, 2014 by Kristin

Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on yummly
Yummly
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

DaVinci Wine & Bruschetta

It’s been a few months since returning from the 2014 DaVinci Storyteller Experience.  At the end of September, I was whisked away from my busy bee life in Austin and placed in the middle of Tuscan hills with a handpicked group of amazing people and a dream itinerary.  The only moment of the trip that felt like real life was the return flight home.  And over a month later, memories of this adventure continue to cross my mind on a daily basis.

photo 1 (2)

Even though our Tuscan days were scheduled by the hour, life abroad felt slower, intentional.  We sat as a group for every meal.  We conversed.  We laughed.  We shared {DaVinci} wine.  And every meal was merry.

In between meals, we were learning.  Whether it was about traditional Tuscan cuisine, the history of DaVinci, the work that goes into each bottle of wine – we were soaking it all up. We were a foursome of merry American sponges, eager to learn what every person we encountered was willing to share.

Ribollita

Often times, the vineyard was our classroom.  Standing among grapes ripe for the picking, we’d learn about the co-op of growers that make up the Cantine Leonardo DaVinci and how there is a cap to how large each vineyard can be to ensure quality is the growers’ main focus.

IMG_5200

We’d have a front row seat as the growers pulled up to a machine that tested the sugar content of their grapes.  We’d learn that the higher the sugar content, the more growers would earn for their grapes.  DaVinci Wine, along with making sure vineyard sizes were manageable in relation to the quality they expect, incentivizes their growers so they continue to produce the best grapes, year after year.

Sugar Content

And then we’d get to experience first-hand how much thought goes into combining harvests from all of the growers to create each year’s perfect vintage.  Sitting in a laboratory with unmarked bottles of wine, we were tasked to submit percentages of each sample that made up a bottle of Chianti.  It was the most fun I could ever imagine having in a laboratory!  And although the preciseness of the vintage shouldn’t have come as a surprise, when we found out the actual percentages, it was nothing short of surprising.

10468694_966580653367391_2036963965294422262_n

It was an amazing seven days made even more amazing by Storyteller company.  It took approximately four hours for us to be close enough to share our quirks and bury ourselves in inside jokes.

DSC00887

{photo credit: Kesten Migdal}

Inside jokes that were so endearing, we were able to recruit Giacamo {of DaVinci Wine} to take part in the fun.  The picture above captures Karen, me, Giacamo, Jen, and Celeste making “cava face”, the face that happens when you’d rather be discussing/drinking Italian prosecco versus Spanish cava.

DSC00484

{photo credit: Kesten Migdal}

And this picture… captures the smile that accompanied me during the entire 2014 Davinci Storyteller Experience.  Words cannot express how thankful I am to have been chosen for this Tuscan adventure.  And I look forward to the time we all meet again, with glasses of DaVinci wine in hand!

Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on yummly
Yummly
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

Filed Under: lifestyle, Travel

« FoodFash’s Favorite Brunch Spot
Bookshelf Desk < $150 »

Comments

  1. Karen says

    January 2, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    It was so great to share the experience with you Kristin. You captured some great moments! (that pomodoro soup…sigh)
    Have a wonderful year!

    • Kristin says

      January 3, 2015 at 12:50 am

      It was wonderful sharing the experience with you as well! Happy 2015!

  2. Karista says

    January 9, 2015 at 12:27 am

    gorgeous! I’m swooning all over again with memories.

    • Kristin says

      January 16, 2015 at 3:59 pm

      Oooh, me too!!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter

Subscribe to Our Newsletter!

Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription.

Kid Travel: Chicago

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress