Who we are & what we do
We're Grape!
What sets Grape Tours apart is our extensive knowledge of Italy's wine regions, backed by three decades of experience in the wine industry. This experience has granted us valuable connections to some of the finest wineries, many of which prioritize sustainable and organic viticulture—an aspect that holds great importance for us.
We are committed to the belief that life is too short to drink bad wine, and our personal and professional goal is to always feature high-quality selections in our itineraries. Our approach to wine is comprehensive, with storytelling playing a crucial role in our tours.
Grape Tours was founded by Rebecca and Pierre, and we are actively involved in every aspect of the business. Our dedicated team comprises wine professionals whom we've proudly gathered over the years. If you have any questions and reach out via email, you'll likely hear from Ilaria Miele, one of our earliest team members. The rest of the team looks forward to meeting you at our designated meeting point in Florence.
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HGTV / MAX is airing Fixer to Fabulous Italiano where our friends Dave & Jenny Marrs help us renovate our farmhouse, Campo Sasso.
Rebecca
Rebecca Christophersen Gouttenoire launched the tuscan-wine-tours.com website in 2004, laying the groundwork for Grape Tours. Driven by her deep passion for Tuscan wine, she recognized the growing demand for high-quality wine tours among increasingly well-traveled guests. Leveraging her prior connections established during her tenure as a wine bar owner in Florence and later as a wine distributor, she shaped Grape Tours into a reputable venture.
Rebecca holds certification as an Italian Wine Scholar educator and offers wine education programs catering to both beginners and professionals.
Rebecca personally runs all the multiple-day Grapetrotters trips in Italy.
Rebecca writes the newsletters and once in a while on the blog.
Rebecca and Pierre are a couple in business in life with 2 boys and a dog.
Here you can read the full version of how Rebecca & Pierre met which is quite a nice story!
Pierre
Pierre Gouttenoire, co-founder of Grape Tours, is a French winemaker and enologist holding a M.Sc degree in agronomy. With over 15 years of experience, he has worked for leading wine companies in France.
Pierre enjoys to spend time on the family farm called Campo Sasso in Chianti Classico where he tends to a small vineyard, an olive grove and a cheese cellar.
Campo Sasso is an old farmhouse renovation that was also featured on HGTV's Fixer to Fabulous Italiano.
From time to time, Pierre guides tours in France and occasionally in Tuscany for connoisseurs, but his primary role is overseeing the seamless operation of the business.
Pierre's childhood in Roquefort, in the south of France, fostered his passion for cheese. Consequently, he manages the purchasing and aging of cheeses for Formaggioteca Terroir, a Cheese & Wine Bar that the couple established in downtown Florence.
Both Rebecca and Pierre hold certificates of Olive Oil Experts and produce and export their own prime quality organic extra virgin olive oil.