Here's a guide to my favorite wine bars, trattorias, and special eating places along La Strada del Vino. Look for my decal in the window. And tell them Divina Cucina sent you!

I adore San Gimignano in the evening when the tour groups have left and the lights show off the beautiful white stones the city is built from. Few of the original towers are left, but you still get a sense of what a powerful town it must have been. I love the great frescos in the church depicting Dante's Inferno. Send a postcard of the Golosi. They are the naked fat people with their hands tied behind their backs in front of a table of food! It is a great city for shopping, eating, gelato, and drinking. They produce saffron and a white wine called Vernaccia! Market Day: Thursday morning Ristorante Dorandò Vicolo dell'Oro, 2 Just behind the Duomo Tel: 0577-941-862 Reservations a must! Closed Monday I adore this place! Here "slow food" is the king. The menu reflects what the market has to offer. It's all served in a very elegant atmosphere, but without being stuffy. I love the mint pici, a thick hand-made pasta, green with mint, served with a walnut sauce! But everything is wonderful. The menu is fully translated into English. Make this one of your big meals, and enjoy all the courses. Tip: Ask to share the pasta course if you're doing a full meal. You'll then have room for the dessert...and coffee, made in a 1930 Faema espresso maker you see as you walk in. It's a piece of art itself. Osteria le Carcere Via del Castelli, 13 Tel: 0577-941-905 Closed Wednesday and Thursday at lunch. Located right off the Piazza del Cisterno (where the old well is located). This is where I go for a lighter meal. They have a great wine list and a fabulous selection of salami, cheese, and hot dishes. They're prepared by my friend Elena. Along with her husband Riba, they welcome you with open arms and are always willing to help you discover a new Tuscan specialty. Try Elena's desserts! Teruzzi & Puthod Loc. Casale, 19 Ponte a Rondolino Tel: 0577-940-143 Enrico Teruzzi and his wife Carmen Puthod are among my favorite Vernaccia di San Gimignano producers. Now they've opened a tasting room...with a view! It's located on a back road--leaving San Gimignano heading towards Certaldo, take the turnoff for Ulignano. The small tasting room offers free tastings and also sells their wines. Although they don't serve food, you can buy wine and enjoy it there with your own picnic! Several tables with an incredible view along with the great wine make this a must on my list! Gelateria di Piazza Piazza della Cisterna, 4 Tel: 0577-942-244 Web Sergio Dondoli's ice cream is a winner! Not only has he won prizes; when you see his smiling face, you know he is passionate about what he does! He has created so many incredible flavors, you may have to stay here for a week to try them all! Click on the city below that you plan to visit and I'll recommend the best places to stop for a bite to eat on La Strada del Vino. Strada in Chianti Greve Lamole Panzano Castellina Radda Gaiole San Casciano Certaldo Poggibonsi San Gimignano Monteriggioni Castelnuovo Berardenga Siena