Day 4: May 9th

Day 4 had a wine tasting and arrival in Cinquale in store for us.

Sadly, we only got to stay in the resort for one night. It definitely wasn’t long enough…I could’ve gotten used to a lot of food for dinner J We woke at about 8am to finish packing up (again…) and headed down to breakfast of the normal sweet stuff (pastries) and got surprised by eggs! I was so happy to finally have protein for breakfast! I ended up getting three helpings of eggs because I was so happy.

At 9am we dragged our luggage through the gravel to the bus and we were off to the vineyard by 9:30. I don’t think us females were at all prepared for the gorgeous man greeting us at Vincenzo di Vaira. I don’t think he was prepared for being stared at and drooled over either, but boy, he took it well. Alessandro is his name, and wine is his game (at least when he isn’t playing futbol…soccer). Alessandro started the tour off in the vineyard where he told us all about his father-in-law’s vineyard (many of us females were very upset after this realization).  This is also where I found out that some of the people there are not that bright….

Next was the cellar. I had no idea that the grapes were fermented in their skins! Not a clue. After they ferment they essentially get squished in order to separate the skin from the flesh of the grapes. Then they get put into stainless steel giant can-like things that allow all of the dirt, skins, etc. settle to the bottom. Then those that are being put into wooden barrels are moved into the barrels and those staying in the stainless steel, well, stay. I also learned that you can’t sell certain wines before two years and most white wines don’t really age.

After the cellar we got to have lunch and do a wine tasting (so cool!!). We got to shop and buy their wines and the olive oil that they make (super good quality and very yummy). They also make honey at the vineyard, along with olive oil, and they grow fresh fruits and veggies, all of which you can buy. The honey is soooo yummy!!! I ended up buying two bottles of wine, a little canister of olive oil, and a jar of honey. Danielle (roomie) and I decided to split another jar of honey for while we’re here because it just looked and tasted so good. The honey isn’t super processed so it’s really pure and even better than most honeys.

After everyone was done at the vineyard we clambered back onto the bus for the ride to Cinquale where we are staying for four nights. I ended up napping on the bus but got poked awake once we pulled into Cinquale so I could get my first glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea. I was so happy that I apparently got a very huge grin on my face.

We got to Hotel Eden and I gotta say, I didn’t want to leave. It was such a gorgeous hotel and the beds were pretty comfy. We got into our rooms and then left to have dinner at a little pizzeria across the street. That night was a lazy night. Danielle, Sara and I spent the night relaxing and doing absolutely nothing in our room. It was so nice and very much needed.