Rome to Tuscany - Day 7, June 3

We took an Uber to the rental car place at 8:15 AM to be there as soon as it opened.  It still took over an hour to get our cars.  Luckily we used our time wisely with shopping...and playing games on our phones '_'

We headed off to the Chianti region for a tour and lunch at Castello di Ama.  We started in the tasting room where they had bright pink wrap around couch before touring around the property as we watched the rain storm roll in.

There is beautiful art installed throughout the property.  The owners of the winery invite artists to spend time at the property, and to install art that was inspired.  I was first introduced to this winery from Chiara and the research she was doing around art and business.  Then multiple connections unfolded with a friend in the law school knowing the owner/wine maker, who subsequently spoke to my students.  Friends at Chappellet knowing the wine seller and making an introduction since her daughter went to ND.  The ND daughter ultimately becoming my Italian tutor, whose boyfriend worked at The General.  The ND student's dad owning Gobbi 13 in Florence and hosting Caden and me for a memorable dinner last year that included Caden's first glass of wine.  And Tuesday we head to Dario the Butcher, whose wife is best friends with Janice.  Love how small the world really is.

This art is in the wine cellar

Inside one of the old churches looking into the void.  This artwork is titled "Aima" and was designed by Anish Kapoor, the same artist that designed the bean in Chicago. [https://castellodiama.com/en/the-artists/anish-kapoor]

This is a maiden...called "Topiary" by Louise Burgoise.
"

 “You have this relationship to memory, this idea of the things borne, the idea of the water, things being in the unconscious, knocked out in the open, yet it’s very strong, it’s life, it’s the idea of water which is the idea of the continuity of time and life.”

Jerry Gorovoy

Our amazing lunch...

Each family had their own church.

Carolyn captured this photo and it is one of my favorites.

We stopped for groceries on our way to the house.  The escalator heading up.

So much fun at the deli.  Another customer convinced me in Italian to buy Tuscan salami and Tuscan prosciutto.

We arrived at the house in the midst of a huge storm.  The house team, Mirella and Allen, met us at the garages as we waited for Troy, Carolyn, and Ange to make it up the road.  It was slick!

As we piled under tarps and umbrellas, lighting struck the light pole right next to the garages.  The closes I've ever come to lightning!  Quite the experience!  The storm did not dull the beauty of the property and the land.

One of the most important additions to the home from Castello di Ama :)