Early in the morning I call Nik, who is representing the house in Volpaia. I want to take a quick look at the furniture to decide which items to request in the purchase. Nik is from Munich, but has spent much of his life in Italy, and is known to all in the real estate business here. We have met before but it is good to be doing business together now.
Volpaia is a favorite personal place, but it never ceases to amaze me how virtually everyone who has toured Chianti feels the same.
I drive up with my friend from Milano, her husband and my family will join us for lunch. Nik has arranged for us to pick up a key, and my favorite housekeeper is waiting in the Piazza. The seller will arrive later this week. We peruse, ponder and drool. It is such a unique and wonderful property.
Nik has given me a book about Volpaia's history and I have just cracked it open. I will ask the villagers about the house and history. In the meantime, I have my list, text it to my partner back home, and we meet for Debbie's birthday lunch, overlooking the Chianti valley below Volpaia. There is an old villa that has an ostentatious facade that was added in 1914…on a previous trip we dubbed it "the Alamo", and can't help singing "Davey, Davey Crockett…." every time we pass. The table breaks out in song when we see it in the distance. Carla, the owner, gives us an indulgent smile and shakes her head. Americans. Luxembourgers. What are we at this point? I am about to become a Volpaianata, I think.
For some reason, we decide to head off to Siena in the heat of the day. But….you have to love Siena. Lots of shops, restaurants, and unique window displays...
The children climb the tower while we sit and sip Prosecco and beer. I consider this week a part-time work-week (too many birthdays), so I drop off cards and introduce myself at every rental and sales and tour office.
We try to tour Il Duomo, but it is closed for the day. We drop into a tie store so that my son can try on a tie for his father's birthday. He ends up spitting on a high voltage light near a display…I clean up and we skulk out. Dr. Science can be a hindrance at timesL
On the way home we stop at Monte Bernardi, one of my favorite wineries, and introduce our friends from Milano to Willie, the father of the vintner. After superlative hosting and tasting, Lucien buys a truckload of wine and Debbie and I part with birthday bottles of Vin Santo, the local sherry/dessert wine. It is said that farmers have it for breakfast. I can't speak for the farmers, but….
At home we are hoping that the Telecom truck will come and we will have Internet!
Ciao for now.
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