Lamole in Chianti, Tuscany

We followed a narrow, winding road outlined with tall cypress trees, oaks, and chestnuts. The hillsides were a patchwork of vineyards and olive trees. Here and there, random stretches of poppies still bloomed. We passed a small stone building with green shutters and a green scooter parked in front. Can you say “Photo opp!”

Photo op!

A man was sitting on a stone wall on the side of the road… waving at him as I got out of the car I called out “Buongiorno.” He waved back, motioning me to come towards him; speaking to me in Italian. I don’t speak much Italian but I understood he lived in the building and that the scooter was his. I always think it’s a good idea to be polite, especially when traveling so I asked him, “Posso?” meaning, is it ok if I take the photos of the scooter and the building?

“Si, si. Certo.” He also invited me to take photos of the iris blooming on the hillside. There was a little gate in front of some stone steps with access to the field of iris. I hesitated—should I open the gate? “Si,” he kept motioning me on, waving his arms and nodding his head – vai! Go! But he was friendly and in his face, wizened with age and sun, his eyes were bright blue and sparkling.

I was curious why he seemed so insistent that I should photograph the flowers. I thanked him in Italian, “Sono belli. Grazie.” They’re beautiful.

He told me that in the past the area was known for the hillsides covered in iris. They were cultivated for export to France, where the bulbs were used to make perfume such as Chanel No.5. Now however, there were not many fields left, and the bulbs for Chanel and other fine fragrance houses are exported from China, not Italy.

Lamole in Chianti

I asked him if that was his work, cultivating the iris. He said no, he was 73 years old and retired. He had been a waiter. Waving me inside the little stone house with the scooter in front, he showed me his photos of the iris fields in their glory days.

I would have loved to stay and talk with this man more, he was warm and welcoming, eager to communicate. It was the kind of interaction I would remember long after the trip; sharing language, history, and culture in a very genuine way. Alas, my driver was waiting.

The road was the road to Lamole, a tiny village in Chianti. in the heart of Tuscany. There you will find the Castello, the church of San Donato, and Ristoro di Lamole, a restaurant with a beautiful terrace and views across the valley.

If you go, look for the stone building on the side of the road. If you see an older man sitting there please find out his name and let me know. Sadly, I never asked him I was so caught up in the moment. Tell him, “Buongiorno da Penny in Texas.”

Lamole is located in Tuscany’s famous Chianti wine region. It’s a small hamlet between Panzano and Greve. Go for the drive and the views.

All materials Copyright Penny Sadler 2012 – 2013. All rights reserved.

Related posts:

Panzano in Chianti A Hilltown In Tuscany Best Moments In Rome 6 Unforgettable Experiences