Guest blog – David Toscano, founder and owner, Cin Cin
This May and June we’ll be returning to Tuscany to host guests for a food and wine weekend at Villa Loredana alongside my chef patron, Jamie Halsall – and I couldn’t be more excited.
The owners of Villa Loredana, Lora and Steve, are both Cin Cin regulars as well as Brighton hospitality people – Lora has managed The Pig Hotel group and Steve owns Cases Wine Bar in Hove. When they asked us if we would be interested in hosting guests at their Tuscan villa, we immediately jumped at the opportunity.
Discovering Tuscan produce and traditions
Our first guests joined us at the villa last March. Before that first weekend, we went out for a research visit to plan the menu – visiting local markets, butchers, fishmongers, delis and restaurants. It was a dreamy weekend filled with tasting amazing produce and seeing firsthand how Tuscan cuisine is made and served. We even attended a local truffle festival with a medieval reenactment – as the only English speakers there, we stood out like odd fish, but it was an unforgettable experience.
Why You’ll Love It
- An intimate Tuscan food and wine weekend hosted by Cin Cin’s David Toscano and chef patron Jamie Halsall
- A beautiful historic villa dating back to 1739 with original baroque frescoes
- Seasonal Tuscan cooking and local produce inspired by nearby markets and suppliers
- Wine tastings, olive oil experiences and a pasta masterclass included in the weekend
- Relaxed hospitality and incredible countryside views in the heart of Tuscany
What the weekend looks like
Here’s what guests can expect over the four-day weekend:
- Fly to Pisa and drive to Villa Loredana on Friday, where Lora and Steve will greet you with an aperitivo while you check in to your gorgeous ensuite room. Jamie and I will be in the kitchen prepping a light welcome dinner to pair with local regional wines.
- After breakfast on Saturday, there are activities included – wine and olive oil tastings in a nearby village – or you can simply laze by the pool with a book. Cin Cin will serve a five-course tasting menu with matched wines in the stunning dining room that evening.
- Sundays are slow after all that food and wine, so you can relax or join us for a pasta masterclass in the afternoon before we all enjoy a BBQ on the garden terrace overlooking the valley while we watch the sunset.
- Then it’s a light breakfast on Monday morning before everyone sets off for home.
A villa steeped in Tuscan history
It really is a dream weekend for anyone who loves Italian food, wine and history. The villa dates back to 1739, with original baroque frescoes from Italian painter Anton Domenico Bamberini throughout the house. Villa Loredana is a fabulous mix of historic architecture with modern, chic décor and comfort thanks to the hard work of Lora and Steve.
And of course it is a dream job for Jamie and me, as it gives us the opportunity to take Cin Cin to Italy – to reconnect with the country of my ancestors, the food and drink of Tuscany, the landscape and its produce.
We are so looking forward to guests joining us there and letting us look after them for the weekend, just as we do in the restaurant.
If you’d like to join us for this unforgettable Tuscan food and wine weekend, you can find the full details and booking information below.
Food and Wine Experience at Villa Loredana with Cin Cin
1–4 May and 5–8 June 2026
Price per couple: £1,600
(Booking secured with £300 deposit, balance paid two weeks before travel)
What Is Included
- Your three-night stay in your own spacious double bedroom, each with its own private bathroom
- House breakfast each morning, prepared and served by Lora and Steve at Villa Loredana
- Local winery tour with wine tasting and light lunch on Saturday
- Pasta class with Jamie and David on Sunday
- Friday, Saturday and Sunday dinners with wine, all prepared and served by Cin Cin
- All hosting by Lora and Steve at Villa Loredana, and David and Jamie from Cin Cin
For You To Arrange
- Book flights to Pisa (or Florence)
- Rent a car
- Please let us know in advance of any allergies so we can plan the menu using the best local ingredients
Tuscan Extras
Additional nights are available if you would like to arrive early or leave later for your weekend visit (this often means much cheaper flights). Villa Loredana offers this at £100 per room per night (excluding breakfast).