Our trips are made richer by the passionate locals who share their craft, culture, and stories with us.
Daniele Bolognese
Ancient Grain Grower & Farmer
Farmer, ancient grain cultivator, horse boarder, pizzaiolo, musician, father, husband—is a man of many hands and even more smiles. His days are a joyful whirl of tending the land, crafting dough, and filling the air with music. Life, for Daniele, is a dance he moves through with a whistle and a grin, always inviting others to join in the celebration.
For years, Daniele and his wife Barbara have thrown open the doors of their home, welcoming me and my guests into a space that thrives on warmth, laughter, and shared moments. Days spent in their company are filled with music, stories, and that rare, genuine feeling of belonging. For many who travel with me, meeting Daniele—the man, his family, and their vibrant household—is a highlight, a connection that lingers long after the journey ends.
If you are lucky enough to cross paths with them, you’ll understand exactly why.
Mirella Calvelli & Stefano Martinelli
Chefs and Wine Experts
Nestled in the Chianti hills just south of Florence lies Antella, a charming village that Mirella calls home. Her love of cooking took root in her nonna’s kitchen, where childhood afternoons were filled with the rich aromas and stories of Renaissance Florentine cuisine. Mirella & Stefano live and work in this very same house. Inspired by her grandmother’s passion and skill, Mirella pursued formal training in Florence and has since brought her magic to restaurants, hotels, cooking schools, catering events and lessons in the very same family kitchen.
Together, Mirella and her husband Stefano create more than meals—they create experiences. Stefano, a seasoned chef and wine expert whose journey includes running a restaurant on Elba Island, complements Mirella’s culinary spirit with his own deep Tuscan roots. Their world extends beyond recipes; cooking classes, summer camps, market and farm visits–inviting guests to taste local ingredients, explore cheeses and celebrate the organic bounty of Tuscan food. Together Mirella and Stefano generate energy, love and infectious laughter!
Their private home kitchen is a place of warmth and discovery—a place where tradition and creativity dance together to bring the flavors of Tuscany to life. Guests often leave feeling not only nourished, but truly connected to the land, the history, and the hearts of these two extraordinary Italian souls.
Andrea Anichini
Chef
Known as A Man From Chianti, is the soul of rustic Tuscany, a craftsman whose hands bring ancient grains to life in the form of extraordinary breads and pizzas. Rooted deeply in Chianti’s rolling hills, Andrea honors the land’s timeless gifts with every loaf he shapes and every pie he fires. I have had the privilege of working alongside this humble wizard for many years, witnessing the quiet magic he weaves through flour and fire.
His portable pizza oven, carried with care throughout Chianti on a charming Piaggio Ape, transforms every gathering into a celebration of tradition and simplicity. Wherever he goes, Andrea brings the warmth of the wood-fired hearth and the rich aromas of his creations, inviting all to taste the genuine spirit of Tuscany. Beyond pizza, his repertoire holds rustic Tuscan dishes crafted with reverence for ancient recipes and local ingredients—a true journey into the heart of Chianti’s kitchen.
Working with Andrea is to step into a world where slow food unfolds as a masterful craft, where each bite unveils a story, and where cooking is a heartfelt conversation specific to place, territory and their endless gifts.
Valentina Gadotti
Artisanal Cheesemaker
Valentina Gadotti is an artisanal cheesemaker who raises a small herd of Chamois goats at Podere Le Fornaci, a farmhouse just outside Greve in Chianti. After earning an MA in Political Science and deciding not to pursue a PhD, she embraced a new life dedicated to farming and sustainable food production. Valentina learned goat care and cheesemaking through hands-on experience, deeply attuned to the nuances of her animals and their milk.
Valentina and her partner Nicolò took over the farm when the previous owner chose to retire, committed to prioritizing the welfare of the goats and producing high-quality cheese. Despite early challenges—including the steep learning curve in microbiology and the emotional toll of setbacks—Valentina persevered, developing a philosophy that the milk “talks” and the cheesemaker’s art lies in listening and adapting to each day’s unique qualities.
This woman’s journey reflects a broader movement of young, educated individuals choosing to remain in or move to the Tuscan countryside, seeking meaningful lives close to the land. Together with Nicolò, Valentina exemplifies the passion and resilience of those who are revitalizing rural traditions while embracing modern values of food sovereignty and ecological care. A very exciting conversation in today’s world!
