Tuscany Uncorked
Tuition
$5,600
Location
Italy
Dates
Oct. 3 - 8, 2027
Fitness Level
Easy
Group Size
Limited to 12
Tuscany Uncorked
A Wine & Photography Workshop in the Heart of Tuscany
October 3 - 8, 2027
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Photograph Tuscany’s iconic landscapes in beautiful sunrise and evening light
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Experience eight winery visits and tastings across Tuscany’s renowned wine regions
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Explore historic hill towns, vineyards, architecture, and unforgettable Tuscan countryside
Experience Tuscany through two of its greatest traditions—exceptional wine and beautiful photography. Join award-winning photographer Randy Van Duinen and wine expert Thaddeus Buggs for six unforgettable days exploring the vineyards, medieval hill towns, historic architecture, and rolling landscapes of one of Italy’s most beautiful regions.
Our photography is planned around the best light of the day, with sunrise and evening sessions throughout the Tuscan countryside. Randy will work alongside you on composition, technique, and developing a stronger photographic vision as we photograph cypress-lined roads, vineyards, ancient villages, historic landmarks, and the classic landscapes of the Val d’Orcia.
Between photography sessions, Thaddeus will lead us into Tuscany’s celebrated wine culture with eight winery visits and tastings. We’ll explore the wines and traditions of Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti, and other regional favorites while experiencing the food, history, and relaxed pace that make Tuscany so special.
Limited to just 12 participants, Tuscany Uncorked brings photography, wine, food, and travel together in one extraordinary experience. With Randy guiding your photography and Thaddeus sharing his knowledge of wine, you’ll experience Tuscany from two very different—and complementary—perspectives.
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, winery availability, and other factors.
October 3, 2027: Arrival in Tuscany, Orientation and Welcome Dinner
We’ll meet at Florence Airport and travel together through the Tuscan countryside to San Quirico d’Orcia and our hotel. After checking in and having time to settle in, we’ll gather with Randy and Thaddeus for our workshop orientation followed by our welcome dinner.
October 4, 2027: Val d'Orcia Sunrise, Montalcino Wine Tastings, Belvedere Sunset
Our first full day begins with sunrise photography among the rolling hills, farmhouses, cypress trees, and morning mist of the Val d’Orcia. After breakfast, we’ll travel toward Montalcino for two winery experiences, including a visit to Podere il Cocco, a small organic producer of Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino. We’ll finish the day photographing the Tuscan landscape around Belvedere in the warm evening light before returning to the hotel for dinner.
October 5, 2027: Tuscany Sunrise, Montepulciano and Vino Nobile, Evening Photography
We’ll begin with another sunrise shoot among the hills and cypress-lined roads of the Val d’Orcia before returning for breakfast. Our day continues in Montepulciano, where we’ll explore and photograph the historic hill town and visit two wineries to experience Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. In the late afternoon, we’ll return to the countryside for golden-hour and sunset photography before dinner at the hotel.
October 6, 2027: Sunrise Photography, Siena, Chianti Wine and Sunset
After sunrise photography and breakfast, we’ll travel north toward Siena and the Chianti region. We’ll spend time photographing Siena’s medieval streets, architecture, and Piazza del Campo before visiting two wineries for tastings led by Thaddeus. Later in the day, we’ll photograph a carefully selected location near Siena or in the surrounding countryside during golden hour and sunset before returning to San Quirico for dinner.
October 7, 2027: San Galgano, Antinori Wine Experience, Final Sunset and Closing Dinner
Our final full day begins with sunrise photography before traveling to San Galgano to photograph its extraordinary roofless Gothic abbey and surrounding Tuscan landscape. From there, we’ll continue our wine experience with two final tastings, including the architecturally remarkable Antinori nel Chianti Classico. We’ll finish our photography at a location selected for the best evening light before returning to the hotel for our closing dinner.
October 8, 2027: Final Sunrise, Breakfast and Return to Florence
We’ll head out early for one final sunrise photography session in the Val d’Orcia before returning to the hotel for breakfast and checkout. We’ll then travel together to Florence Airport, bringing our Tuscany Uncorked experience to a close.
What Past Workshop Participants Are Saying
Gallery
A glimpse of what awaits you in Tuscany—from misty Val d'Orcia mornings and historic hill towns to vineyards, wineries, architecture, and unforgettable moments along the way.
The Tuscany Uncorked Experience
This workshop is designed so you can concentrate on photography, wine, and experiencing Tuscany while we take care of many of the details. Our home base in San Quirico d'Orcia puts us in the heart of the Val d'Orcia, surrounded by the landscapes, hill towns, vineyards, and historic locations we'll photograph throughout the week.
Transportation during the workshop, daily breakfast and dinner, scheduled wine tastings, entrance fees, and airport transfers are included. With just 12 participants and two instructors, the experience is personal and relaxed, with time for photography, instruction, great wine, good food, and simply enjoying Tuscany.
Stay in the Heart of Tuscany
Our home base in San Quirico d'Orcia places us close to some of Tuscany's most beautiful photographic locations.
Travel Made Easy
Airport transfers and transportation throughout the workshop are arranged, so you can concentrate on the experience.
Wine, Food & Conversation
Enjoy daily breakfast and dinner along with eight scheduled winery visits and tastings led by Thaddeus.
Small Group. Personal Experience.
Limited to 12 participants with two instructors, giving you personal attention while sharing the experience with fellow photographers.
Workshop Details
Fitness
Easy: This workshop includes walking through historic hill towns, navigating stairs and uneven streets, standing during photography sessions, and, of course, a little walking through vineyards and wineries.
Flights
Arrive: Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR), Italy, before 1:00 PM (13:00) on Oct. 3, 2027.
Depart: Flights should be scheduled after 5:00 PM (17:00} on Oct. 8th, 2027.
Air travel delays are common, so we strongly recommend arriving in Florence at least one day before the workshop begins. This gives you time to recover from your flight and helps ensure you don't miss the scheduled workshop transfer.
What to Bring
A detailed equipment and packing list will be provided approximately 90 days before the workshop. You can also visit our How To Prepare For Your Workshop page for general recommendations on camera gear, clothing, travel essentials, and preparing for your photography adventure.
What’s Included
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Shared lodging. Single rooms are available for an additional $950.
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Daily breakfast and dinner.
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Eight scheduled winery visits and tastings.
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Attraction and entrance fees included in the itinerary.
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Transportation throughout the workshop and scheduled Florence Airport transfers.
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Gratuities for drivers, local guides, and workshop crew.
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Photography instruction with Randy Van Duinen and wine instruction with Thaddeus Buggs.
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Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
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Pre-workshop online meeting and post-workshop processing and Q&A session.
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Adventure, fun, inspiration, a great time, and WINE!
Not Included
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Travel to and from Tuscany, Italy.
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Unscheduled airport transfers.
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Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
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Any meals not noted, and before or after the workshop dates.
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Items of a personal nature.
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Alcoholic Beverages on scheduled workshop wine tastings are included, while additional alcoholic beverages are not.
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Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
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Anything else specifically not listed as included.
Payment Terms
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Workshop Tuition: $5,600
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A $3,500 deposit reserves your place in the workshop. The remaining balance is due by July 1, 2027.
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Please review our Terms & Conditions for complete payment, cancellation, and refund policies. If you need to discuss a special payment arrangement, please contact us.
