The scent of broom drifts in the air, the sun throbs down and around each off-the-road bend span vineyards of varying shades of green. Famiglia Cecchi’s Val delle Rose is a valley of vinous delights eight kilometres from Grosseto and two hours’ drive from Florence, distant enough to feel like a world away.
Read details about the exclusive June 10 event for The Florentine readers at the bottom of this article.
An aerial view of Famiglia Cecchi’s Val delle Rose vineyards in the Maremma
The Cecchi family bought the Maremma estate 20 years ago, but now they are taking a new approach to wine tourism with a penchant for hospitality, offering cellar and vineyard tours, wine tastings, a summer cultural events programme and hiking trails.
“We were among the first to arrive in Maremma in 1996, when we bought 25 hectares of vineyards, which have grown to 190 today. We’ve seen the area and its appellation grow, and we’d like to add to this development,” comments Andrea Cecchi, who manages the company with his brother Cesare.
Tasting Famiglia Cecchi wines in the barrique cellar at Val delle Rose
The vineyards are the stuff of wine lovers’ dreams, an authentic taste of rough and ready Maremma with an elegant contemporary Tuscan vein running throughout the estate. Local grape varieties flourish alongside international ones: Sangiovese, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colorino and Vermentino. The Vermentino Litorale Maremma DOC is the perfect fit for a summer’s day, with more than a hint of Mediterranean salinity and a Saturnia peach or two. If red’s your colour, opt for the recently introduced label Aurelio Maremma Toscana DOC: distinctly international thanks to the Merlot/Cabernet Franc blend, this ruby wonder is supple and sumptuous in the mouth.
What’s new at Val delle Rose are the strikingly innovative cellars, designed to welcome oneophiles into the place where the winemaking happens. Upstairs, the light parquet flooring, darker wooden panelling and cabinetwork pay an in-tone tribute to the nearby Parco dell’Uccellina nature reserve, while Famiglia Cecchi’s stylish labels call to be sipped outside on the terrace. Stock up on your favourite bottles in the Val delle Rose Wine Shop, of course (open Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm May-October, 10am-6pm November to April).
Signposts to Val delle Rose’s three hiking trails
New for 2017: outdoorsy wine lovers can hit the estate’s three hiking trails for fun and fitness, from a simple stroll to the more challenging, in combination with one of the tasting packages, for an active wine experience.
Nature, culture and the outdoor life: Famiglia Cecchi’s Val delle Rose is a summer outing, a break from the beach or an escape from the city. Into the wilds and into the wine.
Val delle Rose
Strada Val delle Rose, 58100 Grosseto
Tel. +39 0564 409062
Summer 2017 events at Val delle Rose
Head to Val delle Rose this summer for four nights centring around music and wine. All events cost 25 euro, inclusive of Val delle Rose wines and a generous buffet pairing from 7pm, cellar tours from 8pm and a complimentary performance at 9pm. Free admission for children under 12 years.
Saturday, June 10: Quintet Cavalieri – in partnership with The Florentine
Famiglia Cecchi is generously offering a complimentary bus transfer for TF readers for this June event. Tickets cost 25 euro for wine tasting, buffet of km-zero Maremma food and a cellar tour, followed by VIP seating at the free concert. The transfer will leave piazza Tasso at 4.15pm and return to Florence after midnight. Book early to avoid disappointment by emailing redazione@theflorentine.net or phoning +39 055 2306616.
The Quintet Cavalieri is made up of soloists from the Grosseto Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy a special evening with Andrea Vanni on the piano and the beautiful vocals of Jole Canelli. The arrangements are by Riccardo Cavalieri, violist and guitarist of Gino Paoli and Irene Grandi and composer for RAI, the BBC and German television.
Saturday, July 29: Trio di Toro featuring Tim Garland
Expect an overlapping of romantic tradition and contemporary European jazz from this trio of international classical roots, with Yuri Goloubev from the Moscow Chamber Orchestra of Soloists, the Parisian background of Michele Di Toro and expressive drummer Marco Zanoli. British jazz saxophonist Tim Garland joins the trio for his only date in Italy.
Saturday, August 19: Chigiana Percussion Ensemble
The Chigiana Percussion Ensemble formed in 2015 with the launch of the percussion training course at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena. The Ensemble is the brainchild of artistic director Nicola Sani to promote the professional and artistic growth of young percussionists. The Ensemble is conducted by Antonio Caggiano, percussion professor at Accademia Chigiana.
Saturday, September 2: Orchestrina Maccheroni Swing
A high-octane orchestra that plays songs from bygone times, timelessly, sometimes out of time, but always having a good time. Look forward to a repertoire of Italian and international songs with a retro but upbeat feel in which improvised jazz vocals blend with swing, Latin and Balkan notes.
