Day 1 is Vernaccia country: San Gimigano, the best-preserved medieval city in Europe. There’s time only for lunch before whisking off to CESANI for some benchmark Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Day 2: On to Chianti Classico, where stately villas like CASTELLO DELLA PANERETTA, once owned by the Medici and making wine since 1596, give this land its special charm.

At ISOLE E OLENA, Marta De Marchi, the owner/vinter’s wife, is our gracious host, guiding us through their line-up: elegant Chianti Classico and cult wine Cepparello; pure syrah and cabernet; plus two delicious nebbiolo blends from the family estate north of Turin, Proprietá Sperino.

Tasting room with a view: Rebecca toasts the Chianti countryside with a glass of ISOLE E OLENA.

Next up: CASTELLO BROLIO. The gals belly up to the bar for a stand-up tasting after our sit-down tasting. Best part: The tour of the ancient castle, owned by the Ricasoli family since 1141.

If it’s day 3, it must be Pienza. First, we admire the Renaissance architecture, commissioned by the Humanist Pope Pius II.

Well, dang’d if we don’t meet the Pope himself inside his church! We find Pius II gazing admiringly at the Piccolomini family crest.

Pienza is also the city of pecorino. We taste some samples, including this potent version, aged under walnut leaves. Great with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano!

In the afternoon, it’s on to Brunello wine country. We stop for a tasting at FANTI, as in Fant-astic! (Actually, it’s a family name).

Our lucky day! We’re able to see a flurry of activity at FANTI winery. Here, two workers do the second sorting of grapes. (The first selection happens in the field.)

After those bunches are destemmed, there’s a third stage of sorting, berry by berry.

Meanwhile, in the cellar the enologist is mixing a bucket of selected yeast to kick off fermentation. It smells exactly like beer!

Down the hatch!

Day 4: Time in Siena, where Lisa and Rebecca climb the tower before returning to Florence.