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I N I T A L I A

Villa di Trefiano atTenuta di Capezzana

Carmignano, Tuscany

Sept 28 - Oct 5, 2013

aCasa

A Personal Note From Paul...

I’m standing with The Contessa in front of a small orange tree. We’re at a Renaissance era villa in the hills of Tuscany, and it’s my first day as the Estate Chef. I’m supposed to be picking the oranges off the tree to make marmalade, but my senses are overwhelmed with the scene around me. The lemon trees, olive groves and grape vines sprawl out in every direction as far as the eye can see. There’s a Romanian gardener yelling at me from behind a gigantic rosemary bush. The butler rushes by with a newly hung leg of prosciutto. Cantina workers and family members are in constant motion preparing for the season’s olive harvest. The smell of freshly crushed grapes wafts over everything and I know, in this instant, that this is a magical place that will always live within me.

For ten years I have brought my passion, experiences, and lessons from my time in Italy to your homes with my company a Casa. Now I want to bring you to the source of those inspirations. For seven days, I will host a small group of invited guests at Villa Trefiano on the Capezzana Estate in Tuscany, the extraordinary place where I truly honed my skills as a chef and sommelier. We’ll feast on some of the most delicious food and wine you’ve ever tasted–in the very place where they were grown. We’ll sample local delicacies

unknown to most outsiders, and learn the special secret tips and tricks that make the local food taste so vibrant and distinctive. And maybe we’ll get to make some marmalade!

We’ll have a Spa Day, exploring the thermal caves and naturally heated mineral pools of the Grotta Giusti resort, nestled in the nearby Apennine mountains. In Florence’s Uffizi gallery, we’ll tour the Contini Bonacossi family’s private art collection– rooms that are usually inaccessible to the general public. We’ll venture into the Capezzana cantina, winding through Etruscan tunnels lined with barrels and bottles of Carmignano wine. We’ll visit and have lunch at the world famous Tignanello winery. Finally, on our last night at the villa, we’ll have a grand farewell wine dinner, followed by a concert featuring the exceptionally talented Blythe Gruda Lang, singing with local musicians. Most importantly, throughout your journey you will relax, explore, and be inspired.

The Capezzana Estate is very old and wonderfully peaceful. In this peacefulness you will find a balance of rusticity and elegance that make you feel right at home. So I invite you to join me for one week in this very special place–one that I’m happy to call my home away from home. It’s a journey that you won’t soon forget.

aCasa in Italia : September 28 - October 5, 2013

An old farmhouse view from the Capezzana Estate

The Villa di Trefiano will be our home for the week. It is one of a few villas and farmhouses located on the Capezzana estate, located in the commune of Carmignano, about 14 miles northwest of Florence. Trefiano is a grand, rustic, classically-styled villa, with simple adornments and a homey feeling. Expect rustic charm and beauty, rather than a contemporary villa with every modern amenity.

The Capezzana estate has a long and storied past. Wine jars and tasting cups found in Etruscan tombs dating to approximately 1000 BC show that vines have been cultivated in the area since pre- Roman times. More specifically, a parchment rent contract conserved in the Florence State Archives, dated 804 AD, was found by the Bonacossi family. This parchment reveals that vines and olives were cultivated at Capezzana for the production of oil and wine as far back as 1200 years ago. Capezzana is among very few estates in the world that can boast such an ancient historical and viticultural tradition.

Our House, In The Middle Of The Olive Groves and Grape Vines

The Trefiano Villa The view from the Estate

aCasa in Italia : September 28 - October 5, 2013

After the harvest.

The Renaissance began in Florence and the surrounding hills near Capezzana. In fact, the town of Vinci, where Leonardo da Vinci was born, is just over the hill from your Trefiano villa. The Renaissance influenced everything we all love: food, wine, music and much more. With a Casa in Italia, you’ll be able to create a personal Renaissance of your own.

FoodTuscany always begins with food. We’ll be dining at the area’s best restaurants as well as learning ancient local recipes in our own Trefiano kitchen.

The Cantina di Toia is completely off the beaten path. It is located in its own antique villa, which stands on what used to be Leonardo da Vinci’s grandmother’s house. Legend has it that the wood burning oven is original to the house. Here is local food at its very best...tastings of different Pecorino cheeses with various sauces, sliced locally cured meats, and of course the Bistecca Fiorentina.

Another night, we’ll visit Ristorante Da Delfina, which sits high up in the hills in the small town of Artimino. It overlooks the Medici family “Villa of 100 Chimneys.” The restaurant was started by Delfina Cioni as a place for local hunters and caretakers

of the villa to eat simple local food. Many years later, Da Delfina has become a destination for food lovers from around the world. It is most famous for its view, but equally impressive is the sumptuous variety of meats, game and fowl that come off of the restaurant’s famous spit roaster. It is fueled by local sweet Tuscan oak, and can hold as many as 40 chickens.

In our own Trefiano kitchen, we’ll dive into cooking classes teaching what sets Carmignano apart from the rest of Tuscany.

WineThe wines of Carmignano are completely unique to the Tuscan region. The late patriarch of the family, Ugo Bonacossi, led the charge, in the 1970’s, for Carmignano to be recognized as its own wine denomination. He won, and Carmignano today is recognized as one of Tuscany’s real gems. Not only will we taste a library selection of vintage Capezzana wine, we’ll also learn about all of the other wines that make Tuscany a distinctive and special place– Classic Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Morellino di Scansano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and the mythical super Tuscans...many of which have become some of the most collectible wines in the world.

Your Personal Renaissance

The Trefiano pool in the Summer

aCasa in Italia : September 28 - October 5, 2013

Beautiful Florence

EducationThe best way to learn about food and wine is in the kitchen and at the table. I will guide the group through a variety of hands-on cooking and pasta making classes. You’ll learn how to make local dishes like “Stracotto,” Carmignano’s version of red wine braised beef, “Arista,” the classic pork roast with wild fennel pollen, and my personal favorite, “Ribollita,” the aftermath of white bean and vegetable stew, pan fried in Capezzana’s olive oil. The electric green olive oil of Capezzana is legendary, and we’ll use it in every facet of the kitchen, from sweet to savory. You’ll even get to take a bottle with you when you leave.

ArtThe Contini Bonacossi family, who own the Capezzana Estate where we’ll be staying, has a large private art collection at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. The collection is considered to be among the Uffizi’s most important acquisitions of the 20th century. The private rooms contain furnishings, ceramics, sculptures and masterpieces of European painting, dating from the 14th to 18th Centuries, and include works by Andrea del Castagno, Giovanni Bellini,

Girolamo Savoldo, El Greco and Zurbaran. We’ll have a private tour of the collection, as well as of the Uffizi Gallery itself.

MusicDuring the Renaissance, music was increasingly freed from medieval constraints. Evolution in range, rhythm, harmony, form and notation became a vehicle for personal expression. We’ll pay homage to this evolution with a private concert in our Tuscan villa by Blythe Gruda Lang. She’ll collaborate with local musicians to bring you a night of music ranging from Verdi to Bowie.

RelaxationThe Grotta Giusti Resort is about 30 minutes from Trefiano. You will spend the day in the heated mineral pool, set in the stunning Tuscan hills, and venture into the world famous thermal grotto deep underground. The composer Giuseppe, who visited often, called Grotta Giusti “The Eighth Wonder of the World.” If you’d like, book a massage or a luxurious wellness treatment from a menu selected especially for us. This is all included with your a Casa in Italia package.

Your Personal Renaissance. . .Continued

An aCasa cheese board

aCasa in Italia : September 28 - October 5, 2013

Foraged fennel risotto with roasted sardines

Your Hosts

Paul Lang Paul traveled through Italy, developing an in-depth knowledge of the foods, wines and culture as he moved from adventure to adventure, town to town. Paul’s time in Italy culminated with his tenure at the Capezzana estate, where he served as personal chef to the Count and Contessa Contini Bonacossi. In New York, Paul worked as sommelier at Babbo Restaurant, where he helped to guide a James Beard Award-winning wine program. Paul is currently at the helm of his own successful business, a Casa, specializing in the traditions of the Italian table. He is also currently Wine Director of il Buco Restaurant in new York City. Paul and a Casa have been featured in The New York Times, The New York Post, Time Out New York, Bene Magazine and Food & Wine Magazine. a Casa has also been praised by Boston Magazine, Daily Candy, Men’s Health, Boca Magazine, and Japan’s Cuisine Kingdom.

Blythe Gruda LangBlythe Gruda is known for making music you may know into something new, and has been called “a voice that will someday move public monuments.” She performs and records with various composers, bands, writers and regularly with the New York institution The Losers Lounge. She has also worked all over with world with bands, symphonies, and orchestras. She toured Europe as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, won awards for performances in American Re-gional productions of Floyd Collins and Songs For A New World and graced both The Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall stages, perform-ing in the American premieres of Benny Ander-sson and Bjorn Ulveus’s pop opera, Kristina . After a decade in theatre, she sti l l enjoys performing, songwriting, and helping create unforgettable a Casa in Italia experiences.

aCasa in Italia : September 28 - October 5, 2013

Grapes drying for Capezzana’s Vin Santo

Accomodations and Pricing

The 16th-Century villa has six beautiful and distinctive bedrooms, tucked at the ends of hidden passages and at the top of winding staircases. All are decorated in the classic Tuscan country style and furnished with antiques; windows offer views of the property from all sides. Three double bedrooms each have their own private bath, while two other double bedrooms and a single bedroom share a bath. Some of the rooms are furnished with twin beds that can either be joined or separated, to suit the convenience of guests.

Please contact us for further information about availability of specific rooms.

PRICING PER PERSON (includes all taxes and fees):What is most important to us is that, during your visit, you will not have a care in the world. That’s why we’ve made the trip truly all-inclusive. Your only responsibility is your airfare.

The largest bedroom, which has a private loft, seating area, and a private bathroom, is $8,000 per person with double occupancy.

The two other bedrooms with private bathrooms are $7,500 per person with double occupancy.

The two bedrooms with shared bathrooms are $7,000 per person with double occupancy.

The one single bedroom with a shared bathroom is $7,000 per person.

All-inclusive prices above include:• Seven nights’ accommodation at Villa di Trefiano,

an historic, 16th-Century Renaissance villa

• All meals at Trefiano and select restaurants

• Hands-on cook ing classes centered on the secrets of authentic Tuscan cuisine, with focused workshops on pasta and other specialties of the Carmignano region

• Wine and olive oil tastings

• Tour of the Capezzana wine estate, vineyards, olive oil groves and cellars, and lunch with the Contini Bonacossi family

• A VIP tour and lunch at the world renowned Tignanello Estate

• A full day at Grotto Giusti, which includes thermal spa caves, mineral pools, and a full body massage or comparable spa treatment

• A tour of the private Contini Bonacossi Collection at the Uffizi Gallery, guided by renowned artist Leone Contini Bonacossi

• A final grand wine dinner and private concert with singer Blythe Gruda Lang and local musicians

• Transportation to and from Peretola Airport in Florence (please let us know if you are considering arrival by train, or if you have an alternate point of arrival or departure), and transportation to all group outings

• A farewell package including wine, olive oil and local products whose producers we’ll encounter during the week. And finally: a flash drive pre-loaded with every recipe you’ve learned during your stay. Some of Trefiano’s bedrooms

aCasa in Italia : September 28 - October 5, 2013

The thermal spa caves and pool at Grotta Giusti

A 30% deposit is required to secure the booking. The remaining balance is due no later than July 1, 2013 (approximately 90 days before arrival). If you’d prefer you can also pay in full at the time of booking.

In order to book your stay with a Casa in Italia, please contact Paul Lang by email at Paul@ACasaNYC.com, or by telephone: (646) 851-8166.

Deposit and/or remaining balance checks may be mailed to a Casa, payable to A Casa in Italia, at 191 Bond Street Brooklyn, NY 11217. Major credit cards are also accepted.

Cancellation Policy...Please Read CarefullyThe deposit is a commitment by a Casa in Italia to hold your place, and a commitment by you to participate. The deposit should be considered non-refundable. (Under special circumstances, we may refund the deposit if you cancel more than 120 days before the class begins, and we are able to find another traveler to take your place). All refunds are subject to a $250 service charge to cover any bank fees incurred by aCasa in Italia.

For any cancellations made by the participant after August 28th, 2013, no refunds will be made. Your

trip can be considered transferable under special circumstances.

Responsibilitya Casa in Italia, or any of its affiliated staff, sales representatives, agents or persons acting on their behalf, shall not be or become liable or responsible for any loss, injury, or damage to person or property in connection with the program, or any means of transportation or other services connected therewith and whether resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, dangers, incident to the sea or air, fire, breakdown in any type of equipment, riots, war, theft, pilferage, quarantine, or from any other cause. a Casa in Italia reserves the right to accept or decline or retain any person as a participant, whether before or during the program. Any expenses incurred by delays or events beyond a Casa in Italia’s control shall be borne by the participant. Low enrollment may cause cancellation of the program by a Casa in Italia. Registrants will receive no less than a forty day notice and a full refund. As with most things in Italy, it is important to be flexible when it comes to the daily routine. We’ll do our best to stay on schedule but sometimes Italy takes over...

Terms and Conditions

One of the many sitting rooms at Trefiano

aCasa in Italia : September 28 - October 5, 2013

Blythe inspecting a cellar of older vintages

Group Size?We’re going to be a small group of no more than 10 people.

Can you tell me more about the Villa?The Villa di Trefiano is an amazing, 16th-Century property. It was commissioned by the Medici for the powerful Rucellai family of Florence, and designed by the architect Buontalenti in the classical Renaissance style. At the time, Giovanni Rucellai served the Medici family as secretary, but when he fell out of favor of the Grand Duke, the family was exiled and the villa was left uncompleted. You will notice the protruding bricks if you look closely at the façade. There are two distinct halves to the house, and the bedrooms are split among them. We’ll be cooking in two main kitchens, one of which includes an open wood-burning hearth. There are numerous breakfast and sitting rooms with comfy chairs and sofas. To give you a sense how old Trefiano is, construction began only 50 years after Leonardo da Vinci died.

Trefiano sits amidst 5 hectares of vines that produce the distinctive Trefiano Carmignano DOCG wine. In October, the colors of fall will be exploding through the valley. The view from villa overlooks the plains of Prato, Pistoia and Florence.

There is a washing machine at the villa, and plenty of storage space for luggage. There is also an enter-tainment room with a flat-screen television and DVD player. Antiques and family photographs adorn every room, and the bathrooms feature hand stenciling and painted details.

The kitchen will be stocked with coffee, tea and fresh fruit, and there will always be plenty of Capezzana wines to enjoy

in the sitting areas or in your room, day and night.

Is there maid service?A maid service will clean the kitchen and bathrooms, and change the linens during the week. However, there is no in-house maid or cleaning service. As such, we will all need to do our part to retain the integrity and beauty of the villa.

Can I access the Internet?In theory, there is WiFi in Trefiano. But this is a very, very old place, so it is important to realize that a constant, strong connection may not always be available.

Cell phone reception is fine, so you can use an iPhone with active service to access the internet. You can also look into using your phone as a mobile “hotspot” for a laptop. Internet points may be available at the Capezzana office or local some small towns. We’ll make time here and there if needed.

Should I worry about my cooking skill level?Absolutely not! We’re there to learn about Tuscan cuisine and wine, and there are tasks in the kitchen for every skill level. You’ll be able to replicate many of the recipes and techniques you’ll learn during our stay in your own kitchen at home, and our only goal is to have a relaxed and fun atmosphere in the kitchen and at the dining table.

Are children allowed?The age minimum for this particular trip 18 years old. Subsequent tr ips may have different age minimums.

(More questions and answers on the following page.)

Some Questions and Answers

The road to the estate

Weather?Think of the weather being the same as it is in New York during the fall. Definitely bring a coat.

Smoking?The villa is a strictly non-smoking environment.

What if I want to rent my own car?We’ll have a large van when travelling to and from all activities. We don’t mind, however, if you want to rent your own car privately. AutoEurope is a good option.

Can I opt out of any of the activities?Opting out of any of the activities is fine; we just ask that you tell us in advance of your plans. We aren’t able to offer any reductions in the package price for missed activities. We’d be happy to pick you up or drop you off at a taxi or bus stop around the rest of the group schedule.

Do you recommend we purchase travel insurance?It is definitely a personal decision, and we recommend that you research your options to determine if you want any sort of coverage. Insure My Trip is a good resource for obtaining quotes.

What is the surrounding area like?Trefiano is on a hilltop that overlooks the Arno River valley, and there are many charming sites to discover in the immediate area. Carmignano is home to Pontormo’s “The Visitation of the Virgin and St. Elizabeth” in the church of San Michele, and in Poggio a Caiano you’ll

find the grand Medici country villa, which contains some the greatest frescoes of the Mannerist movement, as well as splendid Italian gardens. You can hike to tiny medieval hamlets, frozen in time and tucked into the hills, or observe daily life in a small Tuscan town like Seano.

Any special things we should bring with us?If you are bringing small appliances such as hair dryers, phone or camera chargers, you’ll want to bring plug adapters.

We’ll provide you with a local information sheet should you want to explore.

We’ll be sure to have extra toiletries on hand, but please be sure to bring along anything special you normally like to travel with.

Cell Phones?Check with your cell phone service provider to see if they offer international roaming and/or data plans. Many people prefer to rent or purchase an unlocked phone and Italian SIM card, which you can easily fill and refill with pre-paid credit.

...and Beyond?We’re happy to help you with recommendations on what to do if you want to stay in Italy. We have many friends and connections all over the country and would love if you’d like to visit them.

If you are not able to attend this Fall’s trip, we’re already planning another for Spring 2014. Please let us know if you’d be interested...we’d love to have you join us!

Some Questions and Answers. . .Continued

The Cappezzana cellar

aCasa in Italia : September 28 - October 5, 2013

Contemplation under a beautiful painting

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