Terracotta Tour

Walking among vineyards, fields and small woods we will descend along a path that slopes gently toward the Pesa River to admire together two old mills, an important testimony to the history of Chianti. Water mills represented a real technological revolution in the Middle Ages, even more significant if we consider the simplicity of the mechanism at the base: a wheel that turns, outside a stone and wood structure, and uses water as the driving force. The prototype of modern hydraulic power plants. The spread of the mills made it possible to mark a turning point in the agricultural production system, and thus in local economic development; the measure of how effective this system proved to be is given by the number of mills still present in the Chianti area today, many still to be rediscovered and enhanced, so that they continue to tell us the many stories to which they have borne witness. Going up along the stream we will have the opportunity to come into contact with another ancient Chianti tradition, theart of terracotta. Here, too, the origin is medieval: in fact, the working of clay for the production of amphorae, pitchers, bricks and many other objects dates back to the 11th century. And in 1419, for the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Filippo Brunelleschi also chose terracotta, for its qualities of solidity and lightness. After admiring how clay is worked, we will begin our return journey, along which we will visit a historic winery to enjoy a relaxing moment together tasting the wines of the area: Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva and Vinsanto, paired with tasty local dishes. PS: If, in addition to observing, you feel like trying your hand at making a clay artifact yourself, book a real pottery workshop in Chianti.