Tuscan Jazz and Wine 2007: Tour 1
11-18 August 2007
Note: new extended tour dates
Based in an exquisite luxury hotel, your days are spent discovering Italian and Tuscan culture and ancient civilizations and your evenings sampling an extensive array of culinary delights brought to your table from the region's best farms and vineyards.
Accomodation | Wine tasting | Concerts | Guided tours
Accomodation
Four star luxury accommodation in a fabulous nineteenth century Florentine Villa - once the abode of the illustrious philologist Zingarelli - located in a peaceful corner of Tuscany. Hand painted rooms, tranquil ambiance, surrounded by beautiful gardens, where You will find ancient trees such as cypresses, pines and lime. Swimming pool and Jacuzzi area are at your disposal.
Hotel Villa Bainca
A room at Hotel Villa Bainca
The pool at Hotel Villa Bainca
Wine tasting
Our approach is to bring to meet the wine maker at each of the vineyards that we visit. You will then have the opportunity to taste the wines and engage in conversation, put forth any questions you may have directly with him/her.
We will take you to the Consorzio della Denominazione San Gimignano where you will enjoy a tasting. There are experts on hand for any questions you may have.
We visit the vineyards of - Poggio Al Sole - in Chianti North, where you will meet the owner/wine maker in person. He will conduct the tour and host the wine tasting.
The same applies to the visit to Montalcino where we will visit “Il Paradiso di Frassina" again you will meet with the owner/wine maker, tour the vineyard and do a tasting.
You will also visit Castello di Brolio, of the Barone Ricasoli which was named Best Winery of the Year by the influential Gambero Rosso Italian Wine Guide.
Rampa di Fugnano a small estate, run with passion by its Swiss owners, who dedicate all their attention to the increasing quality of their products which have achieved international fame in short time. The producers are convinced that the best results are obtained from healthy grapes, grown on good, unpolluted land.
Concerts Sunday August 12
Opening concert Tuscany Jazz Vocal Summer School
Tina May - voice
Guillermo Rozenthuler - voice
Iain MacKenzie - voice
With Nikki Iles Trio
Tina May has released 8 albums as a leader. She has recently recorded and performed in New York with the legendary pianist Ray Bryant. Tina is also a respected lyricist and is in constant demand as a teacher and clinician.
Guillermo Rozenthuler is an accomplished singer, guitarist and composer from Argentina who has relocated to London after a more than a decade performing the length and breadth of South America. He is a member of the award winning band “Orient House Ensemble". This year at WOMAD he will be presenting material from his latest release, 'The Blue Hour'. Guillermo is one of the most in-demand voice coaches and activists on the London Latin scene.
Iain MacKenzie is a singer whose diversity and piano skills allow him to work in a number of areas of the music industry.
As a front- line singer, Iain is currently working with some great bands including SW11, Pete Long's 920 deluxe, Ultimate Swing, Swing City and his own jazz quintet, with whom he has recently released his debut album 'Twice On Sunday'.
Tuesday August 14
Garden concert in Certaldo Alto
Thursday August 16
Concert in Certaldo Alto: Garrison Fewell Quartet
Garrison Fewell - guitar
Gianlucca Tagliazucchi - piano
Michael Coady - bass
Paolo Birro - drums
Renowned for his mature, melodic sound and elegant, lyrical style of writing and playing, guitarist Garrison Fewell has established himself as a distinctive voice throughout his 30-year career. Critics have called him “one of today's most personal guitar players" (Boston Phoenix), “an assured stylist with a strong sense of tradition" (The New Yorker), “a player of virtuosity and swinging intensity" (UPI), and “refined, passionate, and inspiring" (Guitar Player).
Guided Tours
The group will be limited to a maximum only 14 travellers. One will experience a deep immersion in the rich traditions of Tuscany. Drawing on our local knowledge gained from many years experience of living in the area, our tours are designed to give the you a full experience of the treasures that Tuscany has to offer. Travelling through the countryside and enjoying the pleasures of food, wine, and landscape, we have carefully considered your need to relax combined with the desire to engage in the programmed activities of wine tasting, sightseeing, eating and concert going. This is a tour for discerning travellers who appreciate fine food, who delight in great music, who have a keen interest in wine and wine making, and who are interested in acquiring new knowledge.
You will have the services of a professional guide on the tours. Your guide will be accompanying you everywhere you go and will have all the local and historical knowledge 
Book this tour | About Tour 2
For more information contact All About Jazz.
