La Spezia & Tuscany Food and Wine Tasting: Create Your Authentic Culinary Adventure
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
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.
Notable tasting highlights include:
- 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
Pair your tasting with Vermentino or sparkling local wines for a perfect flavor match.
Official site: salumificiomarsili.com
Stop 3 – Panigacci Lunch at La Gavrina d’Oro
Experience Lunigiana’s most iconic dish: panigacci. These crisp, unleavened flatbreads were born in the 13th century and traditionally cooked inside terracotta testi over blazing wood flames.
Your meal includes unlimited panigacci served with:
- Stracchino and Gorgonzola
- Cold cuts and seasonal vegetables
- Pesto, mushrooms, or porcini
- Sweet Nutella or jams to finish
Views stretch over the Magra Valley — rustic, scenic, and unforgettable.
Learn more: lagavrinadoro.com
Stop 4 – Cheese Tasting at Il Gradile
At Il Gradile in Mulazzo, traditional shepherd culture thrives. Enjoy a guided tasting of pecorino made exclusively from local sheep’s milk, crafted using age-old techniques.
Highlights include:
- Truffle-infused aged pecorino
- Ash-smoked wheels
- Grape must-aged cheese (vinacce)
- Herb-wrapped pecorino matured in straw
Optional extras:
- Farro grain tastings
- Preserves and biscuits
- Local honeys paired with aged cheeses
Stop 5 – Truffle Hunting Experience in Lunigiana
Join a local truffle expert and trained dog in forested hillsides near Pontremoli — only 45 minutes from La Spezia or Cinque Terre. The microclimate here is one of the richest truffle areas in central Italy.
Season highlights:
- April–June → Bianchetti truffles
- June–November → Black scorzone truffles
Post-hunt tastings often include:
- Fresh truffle slices
- Truffle-infused condiments
- Testarolo with truffle
What Makes Our Tour Different?
| Feature | Emilia Delizia Tour | DIY Visit |
| Producer access | ✔ Private appointments arranged | ✘ Producers rarely accept walk-ins |
| Tastings | ✔ Included in one quote | ✘ Pay separately at each stop |
| For cruise passengers | ✔ Guaranteed return-to-ship time | ✘ High risk — no guarantees |
| Logistics & transfers | ✔ Managed for your group | ✘ Must drive or coordinate transport alone |
| English explanation | ✔ Staff trained for visitors | ✘ Limited English spoken by producers |
| Seasonal quality | ✔ Stops curated per seasonality | ✘ Difficult to know what is fresh |
Design Your Perfect Visit
Whether you’re joining from the La Spezia cruise port, railway station, or staying overnight in Tuscany, this tour is your doorway into real Italian food heritage. From hand-stretched breads to truffles freshly unearthed, every stop reflects authenticity and regional identity.
Get in touch to customize your itinerary — even for same-day cruise departures.
Buon viaggio e buon appetito!