La Spezia & Tuscany Food and Wine Tasting: Create Your Authentic Culinary Adventure

Traditional panigacci flatbread and Lunigiana cured meats served during a food and wine tour from La Spezia

Discover the true taste of Northern Tuscany with our fully customizable food and wine experience. Ideal for cruise passengers, couples, and small groups, this tour lets you choose two stops from our curated selection — from wineries to cheese farms, from artisanal butchers to truffle hunts. Each experience showcases products you will never find in tourist restaurants or crowded markets.

Lunigiana, a borderland between Liguria, Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna, is a UNESCO-recognized cultural region. Its cuisine reflects centuries of heritage — terracotta cooking traditions, shepherd-made pecorinos, ancient grains, truffles, and wines shaped by sea breezes and Alpine foothills.

Choose your favorite pair of stops and contact us for a tailored quote — perfect for food lovers looking for something authentic, intimate, and away from the crowds.

Stop 1 – Wine Tasting at Il Giardino

Wine tasting at Tenuta Il Giardino near La Spezia in the Colli di Luni area

Visit the historic Tenuta Il Giardino (Lucchi e Guastalli), located beneath the medieval village of Vezzano Ligure. Wander through the ancient cellar and oil mill while learning winemaking techniques from a certified ONAV taster.

Your guided tasting includes the estate’s signature DOC Colli di Luni wines:

  • Vermentino — aromatic, citrus-driven, with elegant minerality
  • Sangiovese and local red blends — matured in steel with native yeasts

Everything is paired with farm products certified by Campagna Amica, including:

  • Riviera Ligure DOP olive oil
  • Local honey
  • Breads and artisanal preserves

Reservation required. Rural terrain requires comfortable shoes. Not ideal for mobility-restricted visitors.

Stop 2 – Ham & Salami Experience at Salumificio Marsili

Delight in authentic Lunigiana cured meats at Salumificio Marsili, operating since 1954 and renowned for salumi made from local pork and secret spice blends handed down through generations.

  • Duca di Tresana — DE.CO. certified, cured in red wine
  • Salame Nostrale — a delicate, sweet-savory balance
  • Pepper-infused salamella made with 70% lean meat

Official site: salumificiomarsili.com

Stop 3 – Panigacci Lunch at La Gavrina d’Oro

Experience Lunigiana’s most iconic dish: panigacci, traditionally cooked in terracotta testi over open flames and served with cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal condiments.

  • Stracchino and Gorgonzola
  • Cold cuts and seasonal vegetables
  • Pesto, mushrooms, or porcini
  • Sweet Nutella or jams to finish

Learn more: lagavrinadoro.com

Stop 4 – Cheese Tasting at Il Gradile

At Il Gradile in Mulazzo, enjoy pecorino cheeses made from local sheep’s milk using age-old shepherd techniques.

  • Truffle-infused aged pecorino
  • Ash-smoked wheels
  • Grape must-aged cheese
  • Herb-wrapped pecorino

Stop 5 – Truffle Hunting Experience in Lunigiana

Truffle hunt from La Spezia in Lunigiana with local truffle hunter and trained dog

If you are specifically looking for a truffle hunt from La Spezia, this experience can also be booked as a dedicated shore excursion with transport, guided hunting, tastings, and guaranteed return to port.

Design Your Perfect Visit

Whether you’re joining from the La Spezia cruise port or staying overnight in Tuscany, this tour opens the door to authentic Italian food culture — far from crowds and mass tourism.

Buon viaggio e buon appetito!

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