DOC Terre di Pisa: not just wine

The Terre di Pisa, for its climate and terrain among the most heterogeneous territories in Tuscany, are characterized by a diversified and innovative viticulture that from the rugged Balze volterrane reaches almost to the sea, in a succession of hills and vineyards whose main grape variety, bottled in purity or accompanied by native vines, is Sangiovese.
Recently established is the Consortium for the protection of wines from the “Terre di Pisa”, with rules (a disciplinary of the DOC) and a promotional-commercial strategy for a territory with a potential to be exploited on international markets . At the moment there are 14 companies scattered in an area that goes from the Pisan Hills and reaches San Miniato, crossing the Valdera.

The itinerary touches places of relevance, not only enological or gastronomic, but also historical-artistic and naturalistic, as they are inserted in a typical postcard landscape of Tuscany.
First stop Fauglia, a quiet rural village in the Pisan Hills, with a small theater and the Kienerk Museum for painting and Macchiaioli fans. In the hills outside the country, where the beneficial influence of the sea is felt and the Mediterranean climate ensures ideal conditions for viticulture, is located the company I Giusti e Zanza. The organic and biodynamic farm management does not use chemical fertilizers. The company offers guided tours in the vineyard and wine tastings in the cellar accompanied by cold cuts and cheeses from the area.

Second stop Terricciola, city of wine excellence and therefore an essential stopover for wine lovers or simple enthusiasts.
A walk in the village allows you to appreciate the authentic nature of the rural village and the remarkable beauty of the surrounding landscape that extends up to Volterra. Here we stop off at five companies, each with different characteristics but always based on quality.

We leave Terricciola and head for Peccioli, which welcomes us with the unmistakable profile of the bell tower of the Pieve di San Verano. The historic center, also accessible by lift, is characterized by “chiassi”, narrow streets that also open up against the backdrop of the hilly landscape, and contemporary art installations. Peccioli boasts a museum complex composed of the Museum of Palazzo Pretorio, the Museum of Sacred Art, and the Archaeological Museum. For families with children there is also an urban adventure park and a prehistoric park.

A short distance away is the pretty medieval village of Palaia, which offers a territory full of surprises: starting from the Romanesque parish church of San Martino, a wedding venue and much appreciated by choirs for its acoustics; in Montefoscoli the mysterious Temple of Minerva Medica rich in symbols esoteric and Masonic that seems to have inspired Mary Shelley, and the Museum of Labour Rural Civilization that values the traditions of past generations, ending with the intriguing ghost towns of Toiano (with views of the “calanchi”).

The itinerary continues towards San Miniato, the place par excellence of the white truffle. but also appreciated for wine, so much so that here the Vignaioli Association was formed, which includes companies that mainly produce wine, but also olive oil. The terroir is home to various native grapes, all with their own history among which, due to its rarity in Italy, there is the presence of the tempranillo grape, which seems to have its origins in the journeys of pilgrims on the Via Francigena, which in the Middle Ages passed from these set off.
San Miniato is a small jewel with a historical and artistic heritage that can be visited thanks to the Museum System, a network of exhibition poles joined together in a journey that involves the city and allows us to appreciate not only the wealth of art collections, cultural institutions, civil and religious buildings, but also the urban structure and the landscape.

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