San Gimignano saffron lunch with wine and olive oil tasting

Taste four saffron dishes paired with the family's wines, then learn what makes their oils and vinegars worth the price.

A private saffron lunch for two or more at a biodynamic farm near San Gimignano includes a four-course meal with each dish paired to an organic wine, plus tastings of the estate's extra-virgin olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars. The experience runs about 90 minutes and opens with an introduction to the family's sustainable farming methods before you move to the rustic house to eat. English and Italian guides available. Minimum age 18.

The experience

The meal starts with a walk through the vineyard and olive groves where the family grows what you're about to taste. They explain their biodynamic methods: how they work the land without synthetic chemicals and why that matters for flavor. Then you move inside the country house, where the kitchen has built the whole lunch around saffron, San Gimignano's signature spice. Each of the four courses highlights it differently: bruschetta to start, pasta as the second course, then roasted beef or fried eggs depending on what's available that day, and a dessert that changes with the season.

Every dish comes with a different organic wine from the family's vineyard, chosen to match what's on your plate. Between courses, you taste their extra-virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar straight, so you can feel the difference their methods make. Bottled water is included. The whole thing takes about an hour and a half, and you're eating with a view of the rolling hills and the towers of San Gimignano in the distance.

What’s included

• Four-course saffron lunch with bruschetta, pasta, roasted beef or fried eggs, and dessert.
• four organic wines paired to each course.
• tastings of estate extra-virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar.
• bottled water.
• introduction to the farm's biodynamic methods.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and Saturday8 departure times: the first at 11:30, the last at 16:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Podere La Marronaia- Sosta Alle Colonne

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to taste how saffron shapes a whole meal and understand the farm behind the wines and oils you're drinking and eating. The 90-minute format means you get the full experience (farming talk, four courses, tastings) without the day disappearing into lunch.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What exactly is saffron and why is San Gimignano known for it?

Saffron is the dried stigma of a crocus flower, prized for its color, flavor and rarity. It takes thousands of flowers to make a pound. San Gimignano has grown it for centuries and it remains central to the local food tradition, appearing in everything from pasta to desserts.

Can I choose what protein I want for the main course?

The main course is either roasted beef or fried eggs with saffron, depending on what the farm has available that day. You don't choose in advance, but the farm will tell you what's on the menu when you arrive.

Is this experience suitable if I don't drink alcohol?

The wine pairing is built into the meal, but you can discuss alternatives when you book. Bottled water is included, and the olive oil and balsamic tasting are the heart of the experience alongside the food.

How do I get to the farm from San Gimignano?

Public transportation options are available nearby. The farm is outside town, so confirm the exact pickup and arrival details when you book.

What's included in the price?

The four-course lunch, all four wine pairings, tastings of the estate's extra-virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar, and bottled water are included. The experience is led by a family member who speaks English or Italian.