Harvest a true taste of Tuscany

Savour the true taste of Tuscany on a harvest-time holiday celebrating the autumn’s wine and olive oil crop.

During September and October, visitors staying at a vineyard producing some of Italy’s finest Chianti Classico wines can watch the grapes being harvested and pressed as well as sample the results. Invitation to Tuscany has a 30% discount on three charming, recently-restored cottages on the beautiful 450-acre wine estate in the village of Lornano, seven miles from historic Siena.

Guests can visit the vineyard’s ancient wine cellars and purchase bottles at bargain prices, while added attractions in the village are an excellent restaurant and a 9th-century church.

The two and three-bedroom houses are spacious and well-equipped, with spectacular far-reaching views across classic Tuscan countryside. They are named after Italian grape varieties, with Malvasia, sleeping four, available for £774 per week (saving £332) until October 2, then £565 (saving £100) until the end of the year. Canaiolo sleeps five and costs £838 (saving £359), then £595 (saving £105), while Sangiovese sleeps six and is £970 (saving £389), then £625 (saving £110).

Once the grapes are harvested it’s the turn of the olives in late-October/early November and celebratory festivals abound across the region. Be a part of it, staying at a cottage in the ancient hamlet of Pieve di Caminino, set among vast olive groves extending down towards the coast in the beautiful and peaceful Maremma region south of Siena. The groves produce some of the most delicious hand-pressed oil in Italy, with plenty of examples available for tasting at Caminino.

The skilfully-restored medieval cottages are full of traditional Tuscan character with large fireplaces, beamed ceilings and antique furniture and paintings. They include La Scuola (The School House) which sleeps two and costs £630 per week in October and November, and Casa del Guardia (The Gamekeeper’s House), which sleeps four and costs £980. There are lovely gardens with woodland and a lake and panoramic views. Coastal towns are within half an hour’s drive and Siena an hour.

Prices are for accommodation only.

For more information and bookings, visit invitationtotuscany.com.