Golf gourmets can savour the local wine and culinary delights of the Maremma this autumn with Argentario Golf Resort & Spa’s (www.argentarioresort.com) ‘Golf & Taste’ package which combines golf over its highly-regarded course with the chance to indulge in some fine dining Tuscan-style and to taste some delicious wines and olive oils from the region.
The 3-night package, which starts from Euros 548 (£491) per person, includes 18 holes of golf over the 6,218 metre, par 71 resort layout, a visit to either a nearby vineyard or oil mill and a welcome dinner with tasting menu accompanied by a selection of wines specially chosen by Argentario’s experienced sommelier.
Autumn is one of the best times to enjoy the ‘Golf & Taste’ package as guests can witness all the activity that surrounds the grape and olive harvests.
The Le Mortelle estate for example, one of the most famous vineyards in the region, is located in the heart of the lower Maremma in the province of Grosseto, just an hour away from Argentario by car. The eminent Italian wine-producing family, the Antinoris, took over the vineyard in 1999, building a new cellar and improving the surrounding vineyards in the firm belief that this area has great potential for the production of high quality wines. The estate’s state-of–the-art cellar, built largely underground to blend into the surrounding landscape, is a masterpiece of design using rock, glass and wood which never fails to impress the visitor.
Alternatively the Val delle Rose Winery, owned by the Cecchi family which is one of the oldest and most important producers of Chianti, offers wine tours that reveal the secrets of the harvest, the winemaking process and aging of wine. For wine lovers with a love of the outdoors, Val delle Rose offers three hiking trails with different levels of difficulty for a full immersion in the hills and views that give life to the wines of the Estate.
Back at the Resort, the Argentario golf course, recently awarded PGA National Italy status and the “Agri Cert” certification for its bio eco-compatibility, provides a challenging round of golf with stunning views over the Orbetello Lagoon and Tyrrhenian Sea. Nestled into the Monte Argentario hillside that creates a microclimate means golf can be played all year round; the first nine follows the undulating terrain through cork oak woods whilst the second nine meanders through ancient olive groves.
Among the panoramic holes with mostly small greens, two dominate the sea and the lagoon, one is immersed in the Mediterranean vegetation, and another features a water hazard running along one side of the green. A refreshing breeze mitigates the temperature and adds an extra challenge to the game which, on this course, requires a combination of accuracy and power.
After golf, the extensive deck of the Argentario Club House with views over the course is the ideal spot to retreat to for an aperitif and a plate of locally-produced hams and cheeses while the luxurious spa with its pools, gym, fitness courses, sauna, Kneipp circuit, Turkish bath, thalassotherapy is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
In the evening, resident chef Emiliano Lombardelli will treat you to a tasting menu. The Resort Restaurants offer a contemporary interpretation of Tuscan and Mediterranean cuisine through healthy, tasty dishes prepared with local products, some of which come directly from the Resort’s organic vegetable garden.
The ‘Golf & Taste’ package, from Euros 548 (£491) per person, based on two people sharing a double room, includes:
Daily buffet breakfast
Welcome drink
One welcome dinner with tasting menu and Argentario wine selection included
A visit of your choice between a local winery, including wine tasting paired with local products (transfer not included) or a trip to the Frantoio Franci mill in Montenero d’Orcia with olive oil tasting and an aperitif with honey, cheese and a glass of red wine (transfer not included) around an hour away from the Resort
1 green fee per person at Argentario Golf Club
Spa access with use of pools, gym, fitness courses, sauna, Kneipp circuit, Turkish bath, thalassotherapy
Use of driving range
Use of padel and tennis courts, jogging paths and small football pitch
Garage parking
Wi-fi internet
For stays of seven nights or more, the package includes three green fees per person and two dinners with tasting menu and Argentario wine selection, from Euros 1,202 (£1,077) per person, based on two people sharing a double room.
For more information and to book your Tuscan vacation call the Resort on Tel: +39 0564 810292 or email: booking@argentarioresort.it