The wine and the family

We both happened to wake up around 5 this morning so John 

suggested we take advantage of that to see the sun rise over the vineyard and olive trees.

The via Francigena path is along the road leading in and out of Cesani, both directions.  The path is a pilgrimage from Canterbury, England to Rome, Italy and is heavily hiked to this day.  The pilgrimage is for those wishing to visit the Holy See and the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul.   I learned that this is one of three main pilgrimage journeys for catholic faith.  The other two are in Spain and Jerusalem.   Just down the street is a church which is part of the journey.   It’s fun to watch the backpackers come by in the mornings.  We relaxed again for a while after breakfast and then walked down to the church and the very small village.  It’s called Pancole.  We walked along near a couple who had their dog with them.  Along the route are places you can stop to fill water bottles or give your dog water. J  They rested near the church and gave the dog snacks. 

 

Around noon, we had an unsuccessful journey into Certaldo, another nearby town which was much larger and more modern.   Although, Certaldo still has it’s medieval village up on the hill!  Carter wanted cereal and we thought we could pick up some snacks.  Well, not really!  We did find one supermarket type store but discovered that could not shop there.  It’s a coop and you have to be a member.  So sad because it looked a little more like a US grocery store where we could find some things.  The only thing we have found are small markets with meats and cheeses, wine, pasta and a few vegetables.  I made a mistake a coupe days ago with veggies in Terni at the market and the clerk was not happy with me.  I did not try that again today because I don’t understand the process.  We got water and potato chips! J

 

This afternoon, the kids joined us for the beginning of the wine tour so they were able to see the cellar which is the barrel room and bottle in room all in one.  We watched an extra large hawk fly down into the vineyard for a catch.  Our guide Antonio could not remember the name of the bird in English.  Cesani was purchased by Maria Louisa’s grandfather in the 1940s and her father still works the farm every day and he began working it as a young boy of around 12.  We’ve seen him out on the tractor early mornings and later afternoon.  They have about 50 acres and 27 acres of grapes.  They also produce about 10,000 bottles of olive oil.  A few food items stand out – cream of cod which was place on a slice of baguette, cooked pork which was preserved in olive oil, and truffle patte’ wrapped in butter.  All of it is amazing!  

This is an organic farm.  Louisa said that in Italy, there is a beginning of awareness, as we have in the US, to produce better, more organic.  The history of the grapes here is so interesting.  One of the whites I liked best is from 45 year old vines which do not produce as much anymore but they decided to keep them just for this special wine.  He did say that with this acreage they could produce a lot more but want to keep the quality so they keep it smaller batches. They also still age some red in concrete which isn’t done often anymore.  

Tomorrow we leave but for now, we are all sitting in comfy chairs overlooking the hills.  Vincenzo is on the tractor between the vines apparently keeping the weeds down.  Birds are chirping and the very rare car drives by.  So, so very grateful for the quiet and beauty here!  Amazed at the glory of God’s creation!