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Food and Wine Tour
From Cortona to Chianti.
Take wining, dining and traveling to extraordinary levels.
Fantasy Catamaran Adventure
Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
Small & intimate... only 8 persons in every group.
Day by Day
Jul
03
2009
Announcing Food and Wine Tours for 2010 !
To find out more, like what great things are included, or to sign up: email Doumina at whyman1@aol.com or doumina@smallvineyardstravel.com or call Doumina at 360.620.2728, as soon as possible to be among the 18 people available for our trips. 8-day Food and Wine Tours 2010 SPRING TOURS 2010 April 14th - 21st Tuscan Food and Wine Tour April 21st - 28th Tuscan Food and Wine Tour May 5th - 12th Tuscan Food and Wine Tour May 12th - 19th Tuscan Food and Wine Tour FALL TOURS 2010 September 15th - 22nd Piedmonte/Venice Food & Wine Tour September 22nd - 29th Piedmonte/Venice Food & Wine Tour September 29th - Oct. 6th Tuscan Food & Wine TourSOLD OUT! October 6th - 13th Tuscan/Amalfi Food & Wine Tour Our 8-day Food and Wine Tours take wining, dining and traveling to extraordinary levels. Doumina Whyman, The Enthusiastic Traveler, and Small Vineyards Travel have partnered for a fabulous 7 night, 8 day trip to Tuscany, Umbria, Piedmonte, Venice, and Amalfi. Groups will experience the local people and traditions of these amazing regions through the eyes of the locals who live and love there. Doumina has created a food and wine tour that includes exclusive meals, hands-on cooking classes, famous art, historic towns, world famous churches, ancient ruins, Small Vineyard’s wineries, and so much more. We will travel together for 8 days, share deluxe accommodations for 7 nights, and because 18 of us are sharing the costs, the price for this tour is unbeatable
Jun
12
2009
BIG EVENT IN SEATTLE, PLEASE JOIN US!
It's our first such event sponsored by Esquin, and we're counting on hundreds of people coming out to see two of our favorite Italians Antonio Sanguineti from Tuscany and Maurizio Marchettti from The Marche ! Wednesday, June 24 EnoFesta 2009 Winemaker dinner at Via Tribunali, Georgetown location, at 6:30 PM. Neighborhood: Georgetown 6005 12th Ave S (between Harney St & Vale St) Seattle, WA 98108 www.viatribunali.com Note: This public event costs $55. and tickets are going fast. Friday, June 26 Free public tasting at De Laurenti in Pike Place Market, from 3-6 PM. Public tasting and bottle signing at La Buona Tavola, from 7-9:30 PM. 3 different seatings at La Buona Tavola, at 7, 8, and 9 PM, by reservation only: 206. 292. 5555. Saturday, June 27 First annual, free to the public EnoFesta 2009, from 12-5pm, at Esquin 2700 4th Ave S Seattle, WA 98026 (206) 682-7374 Small Vineyards and Esquin, are making this event one of the biggest and best we've ever hosted! Via Tribunali is serving pizza, Caffe Vita is pouring espressos, plus...Ritrovo will be sampling their delicious foodstuffs, while Antonio, Maurizio and Tom Kelly pour wines for the public! For all of you who have traveled with us to Italy, or want to travel with us, and love our wines, we look forward to seeing you! Enjoy the wines of our Estates, and have a good time with Antonio Sanguineti and Maurizio Marchetti, and get your bottle signed by our two favorite Italians! www.SmallVineyardsTravel.com
May
29
2009
READ IT ON TRIP ADVISOR!
Review – “8-Day Food and Wine Tour of Tuscany” organized by Small Vineyards Travel and Doumina Whyman. I did the 8-day food and wine tour in October ’08 - this was my first time in Italy, and I was by myself - and I can honestly say that from start to end, I could have not had a more enjoyable experience. This includes the incredible places that we visited, the top notch hosts, the flawless travel arrangements, the level of detail that I was provided so I would always be ready and prepared, the sense of timing of all the events, and the relaxed manner in which we were taken from one place to another allowing for maximum enjoyment and exploration of the wonderful sites we visited. Each of the tour guides was not only thoroughly knowledgeable of their areas, but were also passionate about what they were showing us, colorful and entertaining, so you could not help but get involved in the history and stories that they shared. The tours took us through the streets and into magnificent churches in Florence and many other smaller cities and towns, where Etruscan ruins and monasteries abounded and were the source of great discoveries for us. I especially enjoyed the Franciscan monastery in Cortona that was nested in the mountain side with caperberry bushes growing out of the walls! The churches were rich in stunning paintings, and the tour guides would have an explanation of the painter’s history along with the meaning of the brushstrokes! I must say that on the whole, the tour had a good balanced variety of history and culinary activities, all conducted in a very relaxed, but professional style. There was the visit to a farm where Chianti beef is raised – the steak dinner that night was very tasty, a tour to an olive oil factory where the ancient and modern processes for making olive oil were explained and demonstrated, and a visit to the place where the best pizza ever is made by this wonderful woman whose name is Rima Amalo. What a treat it was to learn how all these different pizzas were made! Then we went to a balsamic vinegar tasting, where there were about 15 varieties to try, from lemon to juniper flavored, and even red pepper seed balsamic! And we visited 3 different small vineyards, each with special characteristics and activities for us – trips to the fields to learn about the soils, wine processing demonstrations where we had a chance to get our hands into some grape mixing of our own. And of course, sampling such a variety of wonderful wines served by the proud owners that are imported by Smal Vineyards, LLC and partner and winemaker, Antonio Sanguineti, finished the days just right! I especially want to mention how much I enjoyed our 5-night stay at Parco Fiorito, a 1600’s monastery converted to B&B where every night we were treated to a special dinner by owner and Master Chef, Roberto Russo. We had 2-3 hour sessions on 3 different days, where Sig. Russo taught us how to prepare some beautiful Italian dishes, from fresh pici pasta to pork loin with onion sauce and mascarpone, to ricotta gnocchi and tiramisu. It was great to get our hands dirty with the food preparation and had a chance to learn special techniques from a master chef. I took a lot of notes and have been practicing ever since! I highly recommend this tour to anyone who appreciates good food and wine, as well as history and art. The organizer of our tour Doumina Whyman, deserves a special mention. She was always cheerfully ready to take care of every small detail and made sure that we were comfortable while dealing with the locals. She knew where to get the best of everything, including the best little place to get a sandwich and a glass of wine in all Florence, at I Fratellini Brothers. by Derek Frankart
May
13
2009
May
13
2009
Vino Rosso Tour with Small Vineyards Travel and Doumina Whyman
The Magic Bus Tour Rolls On Tuesday dawned bright and beautiful and Fabio, our most excellent bus driver, headed for Assisi in the Umbrian region. This is one of the most beautiful towns in Umbria and the centerpiece is the Basilica of San Francesco. St. Francis was a transformative figure in the Catholic Church and the entire building is a shrine to him. We met Marco, our tour guide, upon our arrival and he was as Doumina described him. Very dramatic and demonstrative and he ended each segment with a flourish as he led us to the next part. We were wearing audio receivers since you are not allowed to talk in the Basilica, which was going to be a test for some in the group. Marco had to talk in just above a whisper, but the receiver picked it up well. One of the amazing things about the Basilica is the dual nature of it. The bottom section, which is where St. Francis' tomb is, and it was the first to be completed, is very dark and the frescoes are somewhat muted and stiff. The upper part is bright and lively and the frescoes have much more definition. This part was patterned after St. Chapelle in Paris and the stained glass windows were beautiful. This is the area most affected by the 1997 earthquake and some of the frescoes were completely lost, so there are patches on some of the walls. I'm not much into visiting churches, but this one is special. Having a guide like Marco is an added plus. After the tour, we had an hour or so to walk around the center of Assisi and grab some lunch. We arrived back to a sunny Parco Fiorito and had the afternoon free to relax and walk around the beautiful grounds. Later that afternoon Roberto led us in an olive oil tasting (his olive oil is wonderful, so good that Jeannie ordered 20, three-liter tins to sell at the shop (it should be arriving shortly after we get home). If all you are used to is Bertolli olive oil, you would be amazed at the complex and delicate flavors in a true extra virgin olive oil. It is worth the extra money. Then Roberto led some of the group in a cooking class, making pici pasta. Pici is a long pasta, slightly larger than spaghetti and with a more irregular shape. It is the pasta I usually end up ordering when we are in Italy. Roberto did his best to get the group to pay attention and some in the group got the hang of dough making pretty well, but a couple of others didn't fare quite as well. But since we were going to be eating the pici that night for dinner, he helped the underachievers so we ended up with close to perfect pici. The olive oil and cooking class were conducted with Roberto's usual flair. He interjected little tidbits about life into the commentary. Throughout our stay, he completely charmed the group. Each night for dinner he personally escorted each of the ladies to the seats he had chosen for them. The men then were left to fend for themselves. The group picked up his trademark "I am Roberto Russo" introduction, "I am a shy man", and "this dish will be in my next boooka" and repeated it throughout the tour. We have Roberto's GOOD CIAO cookbook at the store and are eagerly awaiting his next, due out in October. Tonight was our farewell dinner at Parco Fiorito, and as with the others, the food was delicious. Despite our group having made it, the pici was wonderful and the lamb (from Roberto's farm) was delightful. Tonight was the first time Antonio Sanguineti joined us. Many know him from his visits to Vino Rosso or from his wines. Besides making his own wines, he is also a partner in Small Vineyards, the importer in the US for several small, family-owned producers. Antonio has become a great friend of ours and we were pleased that this time he brought his son, Mattia. He is around 12 and already has his father's love of wine. Anyway, Antonio presented several of Small Vineyards wines, including his own Rosso di Montalcino, as well as wines from Piedmonte and Sicily. Small Vineyards has wine producers in every major wine region in Italy and is just now starting to import wines from Spain. We would be seeing Antonio part of every day for the next 4 days, so in essence he became a member of our little group. Wednesday we had to say goodbye to Parco Fiorito. Everyone got diplomas for graduating from Roberto's cooking academy at the Pici Level and had pictures with Roberto granting the diploma. We were, of course, late leaving since it is impossible for Roberto to simply say goodbye. Another part of his charm. The plan was to stop at the Prada outlet store in Montevarchi on our way to our next home in Chianti. Limiting people's time at Prada is next to impossible as there was money to be saved and some people saved more than others. Jeannie and I had decided that it would be fun to have the group come to Radda and have Fabrizio do a wine tasting and a traditional balsamic tasting at Bar Dante, our little home-away-from-home when we are in Italy. Fabrizio has a deep knowledge and passion for wine, especially Tuscan wines. We had scheduled the tasting for 1:30, but when we found out the bus was just leaving Prada at that time, all we could do was tell Fabrizio that doing tours was like herding cats. He pretty much rolls with everything, so when the group arrived at 2:30 we fed them some of his famous Tuscan paninis and some Prosecco to settle their stomachs after the curvy road from Montevarchi. Fabrizio and I had selected 4 wines to taste. A wonderful Chianti Classico from nearby Rocca di Montegrossi (we sell this from time to time,) and 3 wines that are not available to us Col di Bacche Rovente from the Maremma region and two Brunellos from the fabulous 2004 vintage that have just been released, Poggio Castellare and Fonterenza. Fabrizio did a wonderful job, as usual, and we only had to shush the crowd a couple of times. I thought all of the wines were great, but the consensus from the people I talked to was that the Poggio Castellare was the best. Next we did a tasting of two traditional balsamics from Modena. Traditional balsamics are very different from other balsamic vinegars you see. There are only 45 producers licensed and the process is incredibly expensive. On a 12 year balsamic, you go from a barrel of 70 liters and over 12 years of evaporation and transferring to smaller barrels of different woods, you end up with only 2 liters of very, very rich, concentrated vinegar. The 25 year balsamic ends up with even less volume and is much stronger in flavor and thickness. We had the 12 year on slices of aged Pecorino and the 25 year first in a small spoon, then on vanilla ice cream. Since we were already running a little late, a recurring theme throughout the tour, Bar Dante was all the group saw of Radda, but we had already decided to change our itinerary and come back to Radda for a few hours on Friday. But on this day, we had more pressing things to do, like move into our new home at Podere Ciona and get a cooking lesson from the Tuscan Mammas. Franca and her husband Franco own Podere Ciona, a beautiful farm in the hills above Gaiole in Chianti. He used to be in the home-renovation business and he used his expertise to restore their own home, then a couple of years ago they purchased a neighbor's neglected old villa and restored it to a thing of beauty. We stayed in a large apartment below their house, the Culps had a beautiful, secluded cottage just below the house, and the rest stayed either in the large villa or in another beautiful cottage just above the villa. The rooms were all spectacular, and more like apartments. They all had living rooms and kitchens and everyplace had stunning views of the Chianti hills and the towers of Siena in the distance. I'm pretty sure that the digs surpassed most of the groups expectations. Shortly after we unpacked we gathered at Francas son, Lorenzos house just above the main house. He was one of the founders of Small Vineyards and now spends most of the year in New York, so part of his house has been turned into a cooking/reception area. Franca and her sister Mimma are half of the Tuscan Mammas. The five put on cooking classes both in Italy and in America. Tonight they decided that they only needed two to handle the likes of us. I have to admit that only a few of us participated in the class. Many of us, including me, decided that the kitchen was too crowded (the whole too many cooks routine) and retreated to the terrace to enjoy the Ciona wine Antonio had just opened. But we did get some great pictures of the Mammas sternly lecturing their students on the proper method of doing whatever it was they were doing. The class prepared a wonderful stuffed pork (watching Bruce and James stuff the pork was worth the price of admission), a rich, delicious lasagna, and tiramisu for dessert. As the meal was put in the oven, the class got to join the rest of us for some wine. Ciona makes a very good Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva, but the best wine was their Merlot. Tuscany has been growing Merlot for many years, often using it as a blending grape with Sangiovese (they are legally allowed to have up to 20% of other grapes in Chianti Classico and Merlot seems to give the Sangiovese a little more roundness and softens its tannins). We continued to drink the Merlot and the Riserva when our class project was served. I must say the class did a tremendous job. Everything was superb. The group is well on its way to culinary expertise. That's enough for now. I will finish off the tour review in the next e-mail along with giving some final thoughts on the group and its dynamics. So if you don't want your name mentioned, tell me now or hire Mick. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feb
14
2009
4 spaces left!
Taste your way through Tuscany and Umbria with Monica & Mark! Gastronomic and cultural 8 day tour of Tuscany/Umbria Departs October 7, 2009 Take wining, dining and traveling to extraordinary levels! Monica and Mark have partnered with Doumina Whyman, The Enthusiastic Traveler, to offer you a fabulous 7 night, 8 day trip to Tuscany and Umbria. You will experience the local people and traditions of these amazing regions through the eyes of the locals who live and love there. Doumina has created a food and wine tour that includes exclusive meals, hands-on cooking classes, famous art, historic towns, world famous churches, ancient ruins, Small Vineyard’s wineries, and so much more. We will travel together for 8 days, share deluxe accommodations for 7 nights, and because 20 of us are sharing the costs, the price for this tour is unbeatable! We invite you to look over our itinerary and notes. If you are interested in joining us for this very limited invitation to Italy, send me an email as soon as possible. whyman1@aol.com You can also go to www.waterfrontbakery.com and click on the Italian trip for more details. ~Salute! ************************************************
Feb
14
2009
The Road to Riches
The Road to Riches….. an excerpt from my travels... The road, white and dusty, meanders through the countryside of Piazzano, and proof surrounds, that Autumn is upon us. It is Sunday, yet the farmers are all at work harvesting the fields of tobacco, corn and peperoni. The sunflowers stand like dead soldiers, their heads dry and brown and collapsing forward, like the Romans, defeated by Hanibal on this very dirt. But their seeds and oil will be put to good use, as is everything, grown here in Italy. No waste. Time is not wasted either. When the crops are ready for harvesting, they disappear overnight. The work is done diligently, and with pride. This is the Italy that I love. The Italy that I share with people, my clients. With Cortona on the hillside, Roberto and I meander along the white road anticipating the day ahead. A cooking class this late afternoon at Parco Fiorito always proves to be satisfying, using Roberto's recipes, with a fantastic meal to follow. Autumn is an incredible time of the year in Tuscany. Crooked hand-made wooden ladders pushed into the olive trees, with diligent workers picking their years supply, of what will be their house oil, grapes hanging big and plump on the vine, church bells peeling at twilight, and wood-smoke hanging in the cool night air...an abundance of porcini mushrooms, truffles, fresh pressed oil, chestnuts, and new wine...always a feast, always a celebration, always authentic. I am waiting my first group, and they too, will experience this incredible season...I can't wait to show them... As we approach the final road down to Parco Fiorito, we can see the sheep grazing in the distance, under the olive trees from which we will bring home fresh oil the very first week in November. The smells, the tranquility, the landscape...complete peace settles in me. Roberto lets me know the Fig Tree ahead is ripe this week. Black, soft, and sweet, we stand and eat our breakfast of what seems like fresh Marmellata. I had no idea of how a real fig should taste, and never had I tasted anything so delicious! Overwhelmed and wanting to share this new discovery, I fill my shirt so I can bring home figs for everyone in the house. As I pass the pigs grunting at the fence, I consider throwing them a Fig. It is a brief and fleeting thought, to be sure! I take many roads on my journey through Tuscany and Umbria. Sometimes I am alone, sometimes with friends, and many times with my clients. Clients who choose to travel in a way that will change their lives...change the way they think...especially about food and wine. Sometimes it involves cities with illustrious guides, visiting churches, and art, or hiking through vineyards, where we taste wines from my special estates, like Perazetta in Montenero, Capannacce in Pari, and Terre Del Marchesato in Bolgheri. All Small Vineyard Imports from my tour company Small Vineyards Travel. But always my tours involve food. Making, eating, and enjoying food. It involves life-changing experiences with real people, people who embrace your company, and want to share their lives, their ways, with you and you with them. Small Vineyards Travel shows you the real and authentic world of Italian Winery Tours. Come with us in this new and exciting year of 2009. For more info contact me at whyman1@aol.com
Dec
28
2008
8-day Gastronomic Tour of Tuscany and Umbria is selling out!
Do you want to experience Italy in a way that the normal tourist can't! You can do it with Monicas Waterfront Bakery and Cafe in October. www.waterfrontbakery .com for all details. Click on the Italian flag on the fropnt page! It's a fabulous experience. It's a fabulous price! Spring trips are full, so take this opportunity to be one of 18 to make your deposit to come this October. Call Doumina at 360-620-2728, or write whyman1@aol.com or monica@waterfrontbakery.com for all the information. "FANTASTICO!!! Doumina has a knack for surrounding herself with knowledgeable and fun local folks who guided us on interactive walking tours of the towns, taught us how to make Italian food from scratch, with care and love...(and a little more wine!)...and local dining places where they made us feel like the most important guests! I am still raving about this trip!" Carol Sue Rogers "... all of our guides immense, in-depth research, along with her incredible instincts to choose, was a gift to me, and the others, for our journey through Italy. My best advice... "don't leave home without her." Shir lee Hrica "With a guide that has boundless energy and enthusiasm, even the ordinary event seemed like an adventure. One of the best outings of my seventy years, and worth every dollar." Tim Dalrymple "Doumina has all of the keys to the cities...I know I saw things that a normal tourist could only dream of. I am signing up next fall to bring my family!" Sandee Frost "Doumina could give you a tour of your own backyard and make it fun. She celebrates life and it's contagious!" Keith and Connie Twede "Doumina gives you an up-close insiders view of the treasures surrounding the enchanted hill town of Cortona. You like olive oil? Meet a farmer who picks his olives, and the man who presses them. Art your thing? Listen to the passionate sermons of her guide, and real-life descendant of Cortona's own Luca Signorelli. Want to eat the way the heartiest Tuscans do? For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you will. Guaranteed." Tim Stark Writer for Gourmet Magazine and Conde Nast
Dec
26
2008
Raising 51K for 2 Worthy Causes in 2008
In May and November of 2008, we proudly gave our time and energy to stand behind 2 worthy causes. Brain Tumor Research at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, and Lung Cancer Research, Support and Education at NYU. We raised 51,500.00 for these two worthy causes. CLICK HERE: For more information: www.bio-medicine.org/.../Swedish-in-Seattle-Unveils-State-of-the-Art-Brain- Tumor-Center-Combining-Advanced-Treatment- Special Thanks for Swedish Hospital Donations are: Doumina Whyman of www.SmallVineyardsTravel.com and www.TheEnthusiasticTraveler.com, (READ BELOW FOR DESCRIPTION) Roberto Russo of Relais Parco Fiorito www.parcofiorito.it Antonio Sanguineti of Small Vineyards, LLC and Small Vineyards Travel, Salty's Seafood Grill in West Seattle and American Airlines. Click here for more information about the Setephen E. Banner Fund ci.med.nyu.edu/patientcare/support-services/social-work-services Roberto Russo of Parco Fiorito www.parcofiorito.it in Umbria was on hand to prepare the fabulous menu from his latest cookbook, "Good Ciao" www.goodciao.com in which everyone took home a copy. In addition, items were auctioned off to support this Fund. Small Vineyards Travel donated 3 nights of touring into their small, family owned estates, with two nights at Parco Fiorito, and Doumina Whyman donated a week in the villa "Chez Doumina" on the Tuscan Umbrian Border. Small Vineyards, LLC generously paired the wines with the food of the evening with Lorenzo Gatteschi on hand to answer questions about these small fabulous estates that include his own family in the Chianti region,near Radda, Podere Ciona, www.podereciona.com
Dec
25
2008
Raising Money for worthy causes
Look what we did! We raised $21,500.00 for Brain Tumor Research at Swedish Medical Center with our donation of the item below! Special Thanks to Roberto Russo and his Parco Fiorito in Italy www.parcofiorito.it and www.goodciao.com and Small Vineyards Travel and my partner Antonio Sanguineti, as well as Saltys Seafood Grill in West Seattle. Doumina Whyman www.theEnthusiasticTraveler.com and www.SmallVineyardsTravel.com Item #10 EIGHT NIGHTS IN ITALY FOR FOUR Experience Italy during autumn’s splendor! • Enjoy business-class air transportation for four on American Airlines, Seattle to Rome on October 13 • Explore Rome with two nights at the elegant Hotel Bernini Bristol • Stay four nights at the Parco Fiorito, a beautifully restored 16th century convent in Tuscany • Soak up the travel expertise of Doumina Whyman as you explore the Tuscan countryside with her exclusive touring group • Learn to cook Italian recipes with Chef Roberto Russo, then feast on the fruits of your labor • Spend a day exploring several family-owned Small Vineyards’ estates and tasting wines with renowned winemaker Antonio Sanguineti • Tour nearby Cortona and savor a four-course dinner at the much-acclaimed Il Falconiere restaurant • Visit an olive pressing farm and also see where the famous white cows are raised for the Florentine beefsteak • Continue on to the arts, fashion and cultural hub of Milan for two nights at the Hotel De La Ville • Return home from Milan to Seattle on October 22 with business-class air transportation on American Airlines • Revel in your memories over dinner for four at Salty's on Alki and enjoy four copies of Roberto Russo's "Good Ciao" cookbook and four aprons Business-class air transportation for four on American Airlines valid for departure from Seattle to Rome on October 13, return flight Milan to Seattle on October 22 only. Bidder must submit the names of all four travelers to American Airlines and pay all applicable service fees and taxes by 5pm CST on Monday, June 2, 2008 or forfeit the tickets. Does not include any applicable fees, taxes, surcharges, service charges, or passenger facility charges. Trip includes two rooms each night. Any additional rooms will be the responsibility of the bidder. In Cortona, breakfast each day and one main meal every day is included. Valid for the following dates only: Rome, Oct. 14-15. Cortona, Oct. 16-19. Milan, Oct. 20-21. City transfers and train tickets not included. Salty’s: value not to exceed $300. Does not include tax, gratuity or alcohol. Donated by American Airlines, Roberto Russo, Salty’s Seafood Grill, Antonio Sanguineti, and Doumina Wyman Value: Magnifico! Celebrate Swedish 2008 THANK YOU!! We would like to extend our deepest thanks to all the guests and volunteers who helped make Celebrate Swedish 2008 a resounding success. Generous sponsors and supporters raised approximately $4.3 million to support charity care and a special Fund-A-Need project at Celebrate Swedish 2008 on May 31 at The Sheraton Seattle Hotel. While pledges are still coming in, Swedish's annual gala dinner auction - now in its 23rd year - clearly topped last year's record of $3.4 million. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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