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MEET YOUR GUIDE
Chef Danilo Amato
I was born in Tuscany and grew up in the kitchen of my family’s restaurant, La Fontanina di San Pietro, on Monte Argentario in the Maremma region. Those early days taught me that food is more than sustenance —it’s honoring tradition and community, and working with the seasons and rhythm of the land. Later, my journey took me to Paris, where I studied at the haute cuisine school of the Hôtel de Crillon, but my heart was always rooted in Tuscany.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work in extraordinary places—from serving as cellar master at the Herbfarm in Woodinville, WA to opening my own café, The PicNic Table, in Washington’s wine country. I've been a proud member of the Slow Food Association since the mid-1980s, and continue to embrace its mission of preserving regional flavors and artisanal traditions. I now share those with you.
Today, I dedicate my cooking to celebrating the food and wines of Tuscany. I love showing this world to people —introducing them to the winemakers, farmers, fellow chefs and artisans who make this region so special.
When you join me in my Maremma kitchen, I won’t just cook for you—I’ll share the stories, the people, and the landscapes that have shaped who I am, so you can experience Tuscany the way I do.
ABOUT US
Authentic Experiences
We have decades of in-depth experience curating seamless tours featuring all inclusive experiences including gourmet meals, winemaker dinners, winery tours & tastings, cellar tours, cooking demonstrations and classes, olive and grape (vendemmia) harvest activities, guided historical, archaeological and walking tours, private events with local entertainment, boutique accommodation at charming local inns, luxury hotels and restored farmhouses. Insider-access experiences with regional chefs, winemakers, archaeologists and historians.
MAREMMA REGION
Maremma Wine Country
In Tuscany, there is a land still undiscovered by many — a place where vineyards tumble down to the sea, where ancient Etruscans carved their lives into stone, and where time moves to the rhythm of the earth. This is Maremma Wine Country.
Here, the vines are touched by salty breezes and golden light, giving birth to wines that carry the soul of both land and ocean. Morellino di Scansano, Vermentino, and noble reds are not just poured into glasses — they are poured into stories, woven with the hands of families who have tended this soil for generations.
But Maremma is more than wine. It is the scent of wild herbs along hidden trails. The laughter of a nonna teaching you how to knead fresh pasta. The silence of medieval villages at sunset. The warmth of a meal shared in an olive grove after harvest. The freedom of a horseback ride through open fields where the horizon is endless.
To journey here is to embrace slow travel — to taste, to touch, to pause. It is to live like a local, even if only for a few days, and to take with you not just bottles, but memories etched deep: the vineyard at dusk, the sea breeze in your glass, the joy of discovering something still authentic and unspoiled.
Maremma Wine Country is Tuscany’s hidden coast. A meeting place of wine, sea, and tradition. An invitation to travelers who seek authenticity, beauty, and connection.
VILLA BELPASSO
A Hilltop Haven in the Heart of Tuscany
Set on a hilltop overlooking the rolling landscapes of Tuscany near the ancient Etruscan town of Pitigliano, Villa Belpasso has been a labor of love for Chef Danilo Amato over the past 25 years. When the Tuscan-born chef first purchased the property, he dreamt of creating a place that would both preserve the traditions of his homeland and welcome guests into the rhythm of local life.
One of Chef Dani’s initial projects was to restore the villa’s olive orchard. He carefully replanted it with trees that met the strict DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) standards, ensuring that the extra virgin olive oil produced there reflects the quality, character, and heritage of the region. Each harvest produces more than an ingredient—it tells the story of the land, the sun, the soil, and centuries of tradition.
After the olive orchard was restored, the historic villa underwent extensive renovations. Honoring the farmhouse’s origins while adding all the modern comforts, Chef Dani preserved the villa’s architectural beauty and created a welcoming retreat. Today, Villa Belpasso represents the essence of Tuscany: stone walls and terracotta roofs, orchards and vineyards stretching across the horizon, and evenings under the pergola bathed in golden light. The farmhouse is a place to slow down, savor, and connect to the food, the land, and the warmth of the Maremma.
Chef Dani designed the farmhouse-style kitchen with family gatherings, entertaining and cooking demonstrations in mind. The kitchen features family memorabilia and modern appliances. It is truly the heart of the farmhouse.
At Villa Belpasso, Chef Danilo’s passion for celebrating the region’s flavors and traditions comes alive. Guests are invited not only to stay in a beautiful setting, but also to experience Tuscany through Danilo’s eyes—tasting his seasonal menus, pairing meals with local wines, and meeting the winemakers, farmers, and artisans who carry on the area’s authentic culinary heritage.
