Join the grape and olive pickers for a taste of Tuscany

Savour the true taste of Tuscany on a harvest-time holiday where visitors can help gather – and sample – the cream of Chianti’s crop of wine and olive oil. The picturesque hill village of Barberino Val d’Elsa is famous as much for its wine and cold-pressed olive oil as it is for its beautifully-preserved medieval centre.

The owner of the most notable vineyard and olive grove estate also owns an enoteca (wine bar) in the village and three character holiday homes – available exclusively through Invitation to Tuscany - invitationtotuscany.com.

Guests can join grape-pickers in September and October, visit the estate’s wine cellars, enjoy tastings and pick up advice at the enoteca. Two of the homes are light and elegant apartments sleeping up to five within ancient buildings right on the village’s main street. La Terrazza has a large furnished terrace with wonderful country views, while Nicoló is full of character with antique furniture and paintings and a large balcony and garden. Both cost £551 per week in September and £482 in October and November.

Larger families or groups of up to 12 can stay just outside Barberino at La Dimora, a rambling six-bedroom house tucked among woodland and olive groves. Recently the subject of a high-quality ecologically-sensitive restoration, the house features a beguiling mix of original features and contemporary Italian colours and fabrics, and has beautiful views of a timeless landscape from every window. Weekly rental is £4,114 in September and £3,657 in October and November.

The olive harvest is celebrated in festivals around the region in November. Visitors can help olive pickers in the extensive groves surrounding a 12th-century former monastery on a Chianti hilltop. Painted a traditional Tuscan ochre, L’Oliveto now houses three spacious apartments, each offering modern convenience along with old-fashioned charm and comfort. Guests can see the fruit processed at the mill (frantoio) and leave with a bottle of the freshly-pressed green-gold oil. Apartments sleep from four to eight and all cost £941 per week in October and November. A basic bar-restaurant is within a walk, while other restaurants and a supermarket are within a short drive. Florence is just 18 miles away.

Prices are for accommodation only.

For more information, visit Informationtotuscany.com.