Wow what a whirlwind!

I am in Vinci, Italy, after Seattle to NY to Rome to Florence flights. Myself and 3 other Storytellers are sharing 6 days in this Tuscan town---compliments of DaVinci Wines. It is such an overwhelmingly fantastic opportunity; I type this at a tiny desk, looking at an Italian hillside... just 15 minutes prior to our first wine tasting. I am sure my lack of sleep will kick in shortly, but who cares?

Today when we arrived in Vinci, we promptly toured our 'villa,' tucked away our suitcases and went to lunch at Cerreto Guidi - to a restaurant famous for their 'Florentine Bistecca.' As they should be. A few of us ante'd up to suck the meat off the steak bones and it is a taste I will never forget: the best cut of meat from chianina cows near Tuscany.

The whole meal was considered a 'light lunch.' I chuckled, knowing that 'light lunch' probably meant we would walk out thinking we just ate Thanksgiving dinner. Sure enough: we started with Prosciutto di Arezzo (southern Tuscany), bruschetta with classic chicken liver pate (each region does it a smidgen different; this one also had veal and capers...), a brilliant spinach salad, bread and oil, cannellini beans dressed with olive oil, S&P and hand-cut 'fries.' Add to that a substantial steak, dessert (panna cotta, white chocolate mousse, fruit tart and cantuccini with Vin Santo) and espresso... and we were happy as clowns - and bursting with satiation on every sensory level.

After lunch we came back to the Villa, had a demonstration for a classic fruit tart with Chef Anna, then rolled up our sleeves and made pizza dough. Later tonight we finish the dough, make our pizzas in the outdoor stone oven - have a wine tasting and by all means: sleep after two days of none.

Wow. A domani (until tomorrow).

Janelle