Today in Italy it’s December 8, the day of the Festa dell’Immacolata—and for me, the moment Christmas truly begins. It has been that way for as long as I can remember. This is the day I decorate the tree, a ritual that feels almost sacred: opening the boxes, unwrapping ornaments still holding traces of last year’s stories, and breathing in that first whisper of pine—real or imagined—that gently tells me, yes, it’s time.

Back to childhood, back to sensations that never really left, back to the roots that shaped your idea of home. For me, one of these places is the Mercati Centrali of Livorno.

If you’re driving between Rome and the Civitavecchia port, there’s a place you simply cannot miss: Monteverro Winery, tucked into the rolling hills of Capalbio in southern Tuscany. Visiting in November, with the breeze sweeping through the golden vineyards, is a sensory experience that feels both intimate and unforgettable.

Bottega Confidential

November in Tuscany feels like the region’s best-kept secret. The vineyards turn bronze, hearth fires crackle in village trattorie, and the pace of life slows to a rhythm that invites you to linger. Shop windows begin to whisper about Christmas—twinkling lights, wooden ornaments, panettone displays—hinting that winter is on its way. You arrive expecting quiet, and instead you find warmth, good food, and unexpected friendships around every corner.

At Bolgheri Wine Tours, we often hear visitors pronounce Bulgari instead of Bolgheri — and honestly, I can’t blame them. One is a world of jewels, the other a world of wines, but both share the same Italian flair for beauty and craftsmanship.

In March 2024, Margarethe and I had the pleasure of visiting Pasquale Pelissero, the family-run winery in Neive, Piedmont. The visit was recommended by our friend and collaborator Valerie, who is based in Alba, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable highlights of our trip.

One of the most fulfilling and rewarding winery visits I often lead is visiting Marina at Mulini di Segalari, a biodynamic winegrower in the hills of Bolgheri.

People remember stories. And when they remember the story, they remember the wine.

Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed a growing shift in the way people approach wine tourism. More and more travelers are moving away from the grand, high-profile estates and instead are seeking out the intimacy of medium to small wineries—the boutique, the family-run, the places where the grower often greets you personally at the door.

Every morning I drive along the Viale dei Cipressi and on the winding road leading up to Castagneto Carducci, and I ask myself: what is it about this place?

Wine tours have a way of blending travel, culture, and storytelling into one unforgettable experience. For me, they are not only about tasting a glass of wine but about opening a window into a landscape, a tradition, and the people behind each bottle. My own journey into the world of wine tours began almost by chance, and looking back, I realize it shaped everything that came after.