What is Dievole?

Dievole is a Tuscan countryside borgo that is right outside Siena and dates back to the 11th century. The estate has two panoramic swimming pools, hiking, biking, and an onsite bar and restaurant. Your reservation comes with a complimentary wine tasting and wine cellar tour. This wine resort is in the heart of Tuscany, overlooking a large portion of the Chianti Classico hills and the Chianti Mountains.

Did you say complimentary wine tasting?

SI. Each tasting and tour lasts about an hour. There will be 3 group tastings (25 guests per group) and you’ll be able to sign up for a reservation during check-in. Time slots are first come, first serve. Here are your options:

Monday, June 3rd: 4:00 PM (25 guests max)
Tuesday, June 4th, 11:00 AM (25 guests max)
Wednesday, June 5th 4:00 PM (25 guests max)

When should I get to Dievole?

Check-in is from 4:00 PM on Monday, June 3rd. You may arrive earlier to see if your room is ready, but no guarantee. If you want to do your wine tasting on Monday at 4:00 PM, we recommend arriving early. Reminder the wine tasting reservations are first come, first serve. If you arrive early, Dievole can store your bags until your room is ready. And in the meantime, you can use the restaurant and garden area. Our Welcome Party begins at 7:30 PM.

If it fits into your travel plans, may we also suggest getting to the Florence/Siena/Tuscany area a day or so early to explore the region. Check out is 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 6th.

What’s the weather like?

Typically in June in Siena, you can expect highs in the low 80’s. Bring a bathing suit. If weather permits, we are planning on holding the wedding outside. Also, fully hoping for a pool day on Wednesday.

What kind of shoes should/shouldn't I wear?

Bring sandals for beside the pool, walking shoes for exploring the acres of surrounding vineyards, and dancing shoes for obvious reasons. We highly recommend a block heel for the wedding.

What should I do during the day on Tuesday and Wednesday?

Anything you want! Feel free to stay on the property and go swimming, biking, hiking, or sign up for a wine-tasting (see FAQ #2). Or drive into Siena or the greater Tuscany region and do some exploring. If you're not renting a car, ask the front desk about booking a cab when you check in. Recommendations below!

Siena/Tuscany recommendations?

We thought you’d never ask. Here are some hot tips from our trip last May:

• It’s hard to find cold coffee in Europe. Try ordering a shakerato. It’s like a virgin espresso martini. And for some reason, it always comes in a martini glass. I’m obsessed.

• Wine tasting at Dievole. A must. Your room comes with a complimentary reservation 💕 See FAQ #2 for details!

• Bakery Il Magnifico in Siena for an almond croissant that’ll change your life.

• Il Bandierino in Siena for ‘za. It looks like a tourist trap, but the pizza couldn’t be danker.

• Siena is known for their wild boar. You should probably order it wherever you go.

• For a little outing, try Wine Tasting at Poggio Amorelli. Ask for Lorenzo.

• Gelato at Gelateria di Castellina, halfway between Florence and Siena. I will say, this was post wine-tasting (see previous bullet point). So yeah, we were not sober. But I’m fairly certain this is the best gelato on the planet.

• Antinori nel Chianti Classico. The most gorgeous winery I’ve never seen. We didn’t actually get to do this because it was booked. Make reservations in advance! About an hour outside of Dievole.

• Val D’Orcia. If Tuscany had a poster, it would be of Val D’Orcia. It’s positively iconic with rolling hills, cypress trees and some of Italy’s most beautiful hilltop villages. About an hour 15 outside of Dievole.

Florence recommendations?

By recommendations, you mean food, right?

• If there’s one thing you do, watch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo with a bottle of wine. Go early if you want to sit on the stairs.

• Osteria Pastella: make a dinner reservation on WhatsApp. Get the truffle pasta prepared in a cheese wheel. You won’t regret it.

• Gustapizza: the best takeaway pizza. Pretty cheap. Ask for a heart-shaped pizza. Find the JMU flag!

• All’Antico Vinaio: sandwich shop. Beware the line.

• Hotel Lungarno: enjoy an overpriced riverside wine here. But damn, that view. (Editor’s note: Griffin wants me to include that it’s the “worst portion to price ratio in europe” and I didn’t want to write that but THAT’S MARRIAGE, BABY.)

Why Italy?

Some couples have a song. We have a place. And it’s Italy. It started in 2016, when Griffin visited Zoe abroad. We spent the week in Italy, with no money and no plans. It was the best week of our lives.

In learning a new culture, we simultaneously learned each other. A cab driver asked us if we were on our honeymoon and we almost died laughing. “Absolutely not” we both replied emphatically, and a little embarrassed.

3 years later, we went back and joked about actually getting married there.

4 years after that, we went back and booked our wedding venue.