Avignonesi

Beautiful winery with delicious (albeit incredibly expensive) wine. The tour is informative and worth it if the timing works out for you. Wine tasting is on their glass-​enclosed patio overlooking the vineyard. Price is 15 E per person unless you spend 50 E on wine, which is surprisingly easy with their prices ranging from 20 to 100 E, with most more than 30 E per bottle.

Had a wonderful tour today given by Paula in English. She was very patient and informative. We were able to tour four different areas. First, the grape room where all the grapes are placed on bamboo mats and kept there for 5 – 6 months. Second, we toured the room where the large (as in huge) barrels are kept. If i’m not mistaken, these are the Avignonesi oaks that are used for the barrels which are built inside that room. Third, we went inside an old building that was dark and musky in smell and was built in 1882. There French oak barrels are used. Lastly, we toured the Vin Santo room which is located inside a building that has opened windows and is bright and airy. After the tour, we had lunch with a wine pairing for each course. We started with the Antipasto of Valentano’s chickpea soup with Firenzuola’s spelt. It was so warm and delicious. It was paired with iL Marzocco Chardonnay DOC Cortona 2011. Then the Primo Piatto of Homemade maltagliati (pasta) with vegetables and Orcia Valley’s saffron sauce. This was paired with two different reds the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2008 and the Desiderio Merlot Cortona DOC 2008. Last, came the dessert. It was Grandma’s cake with Gewurstraminer zabione. This was paired with the Endidae-​Gewürztraminer passito– Castelfeder (this tasted like ice wine).
Not included in the tour and lunch was the premiun wine tasting. I highly recommend it. Its 28 Euros but you get to try the best of what Avignonesi offers. the Reservi, the 50/​50, and the Vin Santo. The Reservi and Vin Santo are my faves. The Vin Santo is nothing i’ve ever tasted before. You gotta try to know what I’m typing about. :)
P. S. They have fresh hand towels in their rest room. Classy!