BAC Green Roads Of Tuscany 2009

Bagno Vignoni

Today was a loop ride from our hotel. It was another up and down route with a little twist. I started out after 6k visiting Bagno Vignoni, a village known since ancient times for its thermal springs. The main piazza is an enormous bath filled with natural hot water (it’s not possible to bathe there).

After that, I rode on until the turn to go up to Montepulciano where I stopped to do an adjustment to my bicycle. When I started out again, I saw our group screaming down the hill in the opposite direction. They yelled that the road was closed because a Hollywood film company was shooting some scenes on the road. So I turned around and followed. Fortunately, Tom and Julie were in the group to let us know what new roads to go on. We climbed up a long hill which is part of tomorrow’s route. Tom said to stop about 5k up the road in a parking lot for a photo op. So we did.

Adamo and Me at Contucci Cantina

We continued up the hill to an intersection that pointed to Montepulciano to the left. We took this turn and were met by a 5k very bumpy dirt road. I had to stop at the end of the road to tighten my headset. We all made it safely, got back onto pavement and arrived in Montepulciano taking various routes into town but all meeting at Piazza Grande. I had my Rick Steves’ guidebook and began searching for various points of interest. I found Cantina Contucci, a winery with Adamo who has been making wine forever and welcomes tourists into his cellar. He especially welcomed the the Barash's and the Eckstein's and was enamoured with Betteanne.

Pienza 13th-Century Town Hall

I began to get hungry, so I found recommended Osteria Acquacheta. I ordered pici pasta with a lamb sauce and fresh asparagus. Both were good. The asparagus was cooked perfectly.

Leaving Montepulciano , I rode along a ridge for a few kilometers and entered Pienza. This town is best know as the birthplace of Pope Pius II. He remodeled the town in a Renaissance style but never completed before he and his architect died.

The last leg of our route took us back to our Hotel Palazzuolo in San Quirico d'Orcia.

Ilaria Hostessing Wine Tasting

Later in the afternoon, we went into old San Quirico and had a tour of an olive oil Factory. Ilaria Simonelli’s family has owned the factory, olive groves and vineyards for 300 years. Her company is called Tuscan Treasures. For the oil, she uses the cold press method with much of the process done by hand. After a tour of her factory, she hosted a wine, olive oil and condiment tasting session.

Happy Hour was in a bar in the town where we had a route wrap for tomorrow’s ride. Because we rode part of the route today, Tom suggested some changes.

Dinner at al Vecchio Forno

Dinner was outdoors in the garden of Trattoria al Vecchio Forno. I had bruscheta, chicken in a wine sauce and a small vegetable soufflé. While walking back to the hotel, we sampled some gelato.

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