Scott is a sixth-generation winemaker, so it is fair to say that he was born into the Australian wine industry. Needless to say, it didn’t take long before he started working in the family business, Scott was only 14 when he began helping out at Hanwood Estate in the Riverina. After leaving school, Scott headed to the famous Bordeaux region in France, for his first full vintage within Entre deux Mers. Scott then completed a Bachelor of Science at the Australian National University and a Post Graduate degree in Oenology (Winemaking) at the University of Adelaide. Scott also gained enormous experience during his time working for the prestigious Australian Wine Research Institute in Adelaide. In 2006 Scott moved to the Hunter Valley and rose to the level of Senior Winemaker and Winery Manager, in charge of making some of the most highly prized wines in Australia, including James Halliday Shiraz of the year for the 2011 Maurice O’Shea Shiraz, and the multiple trophy winning and globally praised Lovedale Semillon. His has a great knowledge of wine and of the vintages of Italy.
Surinah has 25 years experience as a flight attendant, ranging from Qatar Airways, to Australian Airlines and currently Qantas. Surinah’s love for wine has flourished since taking part time roles within the Sydney hospitality industry, her current side hustle as a Sommelier at QT’s highly-regarded Gowings restaurant. She has recently completed the Wine & Spirits Education Trust at level 3 and studied the Wine Scholar Guild – French Wine Scholar. Having recently been selected as a Qantas Wine Facilitator, she has had the opportunity to teach cabin crew as they complete their Sommelier in the Sky training. Surinah’s wine journey has been inspiring.
VIEW ITINERARY DAY 1 Saturday September 27, 2025
Alba, Italy
This morning we meet at Milan Airport. We travel to the Piedmont region and
the delightful town of Alba, famous for its white truffles, where we will stay
for three nights. The region produces a large amount of high quality DOC
and DOCG wines, with Barbera, Dolcetto and Nebbiolo the most common
varieties. Italy’s most prestigious red wines, Barolo and Barbaresco, are made
exclusively from Nebbiolo and are the region’s highlight wines.
DAY 2 Sunday September 28, 2025
Alba
After breakfast we start our exploration of the fine wines of Piedmont. We
head north to the Novara and Vercelli Hills region, notable for the bold reds:
Gattinara and Ghemme, produced from Nebbiolo. We will enjoy cellar tours
and structured tasting sessions led by Scott McWilliam.
DAY 3 Monday September 29, 2025
Alba
Today we will visit some notable wineries for a tour and tastings with Scott
McWilliam. This evening we will enjoy a celebration dinner at a local Michelin
starred restaurant. It will be a wonderful opportunity to sample great food
based on local produce. Scott McWilliam will expertly match wines for the
evening.
DAY 4 Tuesday September 30, 2025
Parma, Italy
This morning we visit a quality winery before we head south to Emilia
Romagna and the city of Parma. It is famous for two of Italy’s best-known
culinary delights: Parmesan cheese and dry-cured ham. Local restaurants will
be recommended for dinner.
DAY 5 Wednesday October 1, 2025
Parma
Today we journey through the Emilia-Romagna wine region. The region
covers an area from south of Bologna to north of Parma. Interesting quality
wines are produced from a range of grape varieties including Sangiovese,
Barbera, Croatina, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano and many more. This evening
we will delight in the food and wine of Emilia Romagna with a celebration
dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Parma. Scott McWilliam will choose
a range of top-quality Italian wines that will match a fine menu.
DAY 6 Thursday October 2, 2025
Florence, Italy
After breakfast we travel to Bologna, the food capital of Italy. On arrival
we will visit the Bologna Earth Market. More than thirty farmers from the
surrounding area sell their seasonal products. The market is organised by
the Slow Food Network to sell fruits, vegetables, bread, biscuits, milk, yogurt,
eggs, salami and other produce. We then continue on to the city of Florence
DAY 7 Friday October 3, 2025
Florence
After breakfast we will enjoy a short walking tour of Florence with a local
guide. We will see the Duomo, the Piazza della Signoria, the Ponte Vecchio
and this remarkable city’s other main sights. The afternoon will be free for
lunch and to explore Florence. This evening we will enjoy a celebration
dinner at a noted Michelin-starred restaurant in Florence. Fine local food will
be served with a range of local wines selected by Scott McWilliam.
DAY 8 Saturday October 4, 2025
Florence
Today we visit the famed Chianti region We visit some vineyards in the area
located between Siena and Florence. Sangiovese is the essential variety in
Chianti with many of the best producers using it exclusively. We will visit a top
vineyard and enjoy structured tastings.
DAY 9 Sunday October 5, 2025
Siena, Tuscany
This morning we depart Florence and join our private coach to travel south
east to Montepulciano, a great Tuscan hill town. It is the home of one of
Italy’s most famous red wines, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, produced from
Sangiovese and local varieties such as Canaiolo and Mammolo. We will visit
key producers, enjoy vineyard and cellar tours, meet the winemakers and
sample a range of wines with guidance from Scott McWilliam. There will
be free time for an al fresco lunch, when we will be able to sample the local
food and wine. We will arrive in Siena late afternoon. Restaurants will be
recommended for dinner.
DAY 10 Monday October 6, 2025
Siena
Today we visit wineries that have planted a range of Bordeaux region grapes
since WW2 and have created a new type of quality Tuscan wine – Super
Tuscans.
DAY 11 Tuesday October 7, 2025
Siena
Following breakfast, we travel south to the most famous wine area in
southern Tuscany, Montalcino, home of Brunello di Montalcino. The wine is
produced from Sangiovese grosso, involving a long period of maturing in the
barrel and then in the bottle. We will visit local producers and sample a range
of wines. There will be time to explore the pleasant town of Montalcino. In
the evening, we will enjoy a celebration dinner at a noted Michelin-starred
restaurant in Siena. An impressive menu will be served with a range of top
ranking local wines selected by Scott McWilliam.
DAY 12 Wednesday October 8, 2025
Foggia, Puglia
Today we travel from Siena to Foggia in the Puglia region of Southern Italy.
DAY 13 Thursday October 9 2025
Lecce, Puglia
Today we travel first to the Bari area. In the province of Bari all around the
Castel del Monte, built by Emperor Frederick II, high-quality wines from the
variety Nero di Troia are grown. Nero di Troia often combines with Sangiovese
and Montepulciano to make a great wine. We visit wineries in this area for
tastings before heading to the city of Lecce. Lecce is known for its spectacular
Baroque buildings dating to the 17th and 18th centuries.
DAY 14 Friday October 10, 2025
Lecce
Today we travel to the province of Taranto, in the area around Manduria,
where will visit winieries that produce Primitivo wines. Primitivo wines are
characterized by a harmonious spicy aroma reminiscent of cinnamon, cloves,
black pepper, and dark forest fruits. This evening we have a celebration
dinner in a Michelin starred restaurant made with local ingredients in Lecce.
DAY 15 Saturday October 11, 2025
Lecce
Today we visit wineries that grow the Negroamaro grape in the Salice
Salentino Rosso region not far from Lecce. We also visit some wineries
producing the white Verdeca grape.
DAY 16 Sunday October 12, 2025
Rome, Italy
This morning we take the train from Lecce to Rome. On arrival into Rome we
are transferred to our hotel.
DAY 17 Monday October 13, 2025
Departure
After breakfast the tour group will be transferred to Rome Airport for flights
to Australia and elsewhere. The tour concludes.
| TWIN FARE PER PERSON | SINGLE FARE |
|---|---|
| $10,990 | $12,740 |
International touring can involve a considerable amount of walking and stair climbing in the places visited and it is important that all tour participants have a level of physical fitness that allows them to take part in this activity without the need of assistance from others.
Tour Operator
Travelrite International Pty Ltd, (ABN 64
005 817 078) is the tour operator.
Tour Costs
The tour costs are based on airfare, general
transport, and accommodation costs at 1/10/24. Travelrite
reserves the right to alter the costs if any of these factors
change, giving any passenger that has booked the right
to withdraw with full refund of monies paid or modify
arrangements. No alterations to price will be made within
60 days of the start of the tour.
Deposit and Payment
A non-refundable deposit of
$900 per passenger is required at the time of booking. Full
payment will be required 75 days before departure. A 1.5%
administration fee will be charged on payments made by
credit card.
Cancellations Conditions
Cancellations within 75
days of departure will result in the loss of all monies paid.
Cancellation outside 75 days from departure will result in a
cancellation fee of the deposit.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to
cover the costs of cancellation fees due to illness, death in
family, etc.
Minimum Tour Numbers and Conditions:
The tour has been priced on the basis of a minimum number
of passengers having booked 75 days prior to departure.
Travelrite reserves the right to cancel the tour, giving a full
refund of all monies paid or offer arrangements to proceed
with the tour at a modified cost. Travelrite reserves the right
to change advertised entrances if necessary for the smooth
operation of the tour.
Refunds
The tour is based on arrangements that do not
allow for any refunds in respect to sightseeing, accomm
odation, meals, airfare or other services not utilized after
the tour has commenced.
Tour Participation
Children under 5 years of age are ineligible on coach & cruise tours. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Passengers with disabilities are welcome on Travelrite & Cruise Offers tours provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all necessary assistance, and do not require special assistance from Travelrite & Cruise Offers personnel. Travelrite and Cruise Offers reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach & cruise tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Travelrite & Cruise Offers cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold the Travelrite & Cruise Offers responsible for any decision made by any of them or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you.
Responsibility
Travelrite International Pty Ltd. (ABN
64 005 817 078) is the tour organizer. Travelrite acts only
as an agent in the making of arrangements for hotels,
transportation, restaurants or any other service and does
not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage,
death, loss, accident or delay to person or property due to an
act of negligence or a default of any hotel, carrier restaurant
company or person rendering any services included in
the tour, or by act of God. Further no responsibilities are
accepted for any damage or delay due to sickness, pilferage,
labour disputes, machinery break-down, quarantine,
government restraints, weather, terrorism or other causes
beyond their control. No responsibility is accepted for any
additional expense, omission, delays, re-routing or acts of
any government authority. The passage contract between
the carriers concerned, when issued, shall constitute the
sole contract between the carriers and the purchasers of
this tour and/or the passengers. The right is reserved to
withdraw any tour and/or make such changes in the tour as
may be found desirable or necessary for the convenience
of the parties and the proper carrying out of the tour. This
contract shall be construed in accordance of the laws of
the State of Victoria, Australia and any legal action must be
taken in the State of Victoria.
Delays and Unforeseen Events
You engage Travel rite International to book this tour on your behalf and you acknowledge that Travelrite International acts as your agent for the purpose of making contracts between you and the various providers of accommodation, transportation and other services that comprise the tour. Travelrite may without reference to you provide or make available to you, or may as your agent engage any third party to provide or make available to you, any good or service which Travelrite reasonably believes is necessary for your benefit to maintain the tour itinerary, repatriate you or otherwise accommodate, transport or sustain you in circumstances in which the tour itinerary fails wholly or partly for any reason. You appoint Travelrite International your attorney for this purpose. You agree to pay Travelrite any cost thereof and you indemnify Travelrite in respect of any cost it incurs in this regard. Travelrite advises you to obtain travel insurance generally including in respect of the risk that any such good or service may become required.
How to Book:
Bookings can be made by completing a
booking form and sending it with a non-refundable deposit
of $900 per person to:
Travelrite International Pty. Ltd.
423 Whitehorse Road
Balwyn, Victoria 3103
Further information can be obtained by telephoning
Toll Free 1800 630 343
Phone: (03) 8803 6868
Email: sales@travelrite.com.au
ABOUT TRAVELRITE INTERNATIONAL:
Travelrite Interna
tional Pty Ltd (A.B.N.64 005 817 078) is a well-established
travel company which has been operating in the eastern
suburbs of Melbourne for more than 40 years. It is fully ATAS
accredited no AT10538 and has a fully credited IATA offices
in Balwyn. As such, it directly represents the major airlines
of the world and all major domestic and international tour
and transport operators. Travelrite International has been
operating special interest tours for thirty years, and now
runs over 80 tours a year. Travelrite International Pty Ltd is
a full member of the Australian Travel Industry Association - ATIA.
“One of the best tours we have ever done. Great program and lovely people.”
“Well organised tour that ran smoothly. Very impressed with Wayne Horsburgh, intelligent, talented and caring.”
