While we missed 😉 Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice promoting her new sparkling wine, Fabellini on Friday night, all was not lost. There were exhibitors from Wineries & Vineyards from around the world.

There was Barefoot Wine, Naked Grape, Happy Bitch and Graham’s & Cockburn’s Port. There was Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery and even Wine Sisterhood, who knew? It was Disney for Wine loving grown-ups. Aisle after aisle of wonderful wine.

We were introduced to Tuscany’s Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo, an organization that has brought together 180 vineyards and wine companies including wine producing farms, inns, farms specializing in traditional production of foods and wines, wine bars, restaurants and other businesses and attractions, providing information about their wines, how to select them and a look at the historic and cultural background of Tuscany, encompassing the food of the area as well. Our goal is to feature as many of these wines as we can in the coming year!

We had the pleasure to meet Riccardo Baracchi who with his son Benedetto, continues his family’s tradition of grape growing and wine-making which began in 1860. We tasted his Sangiovese,  Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet & Trebbiano wines peppered with delightful conversation about the Baracchi Estate surrounded by old olive groves and new vineyards, just east of Cortona with it’s wonderful view of the Valdichiana Valley, Under the Tuscan Sun. This typical Tuscan villa has been completely restored and transformed into a countryside Relais known as Il Falconiere which is part of the prestigious chain Relais & Châteaux. Can you guess what has been added to the Bucket List? We hope to go there during wine harvest and experience this amazing piece of heaven on earth!