My WHOLE family went to Italy in September of 2023 and it changed my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s true. What’s even more crazy is this trip was postponed 3 years. 2 due to COVID and 1 due to family illness. 4 years of anticipation (it took a year to plan) and Stanley Tucci “Searching for Italy” watched twice, it STILL exceeded my expectations. We spent the majority of the trip in Tuscany, this sweet village called Castellina in Chianti, and it encompassed everything I love: slower pace of life, great food, culture, history, great food (did I say that already?! hee hee), and family.

We talked to friends and family who had been to Italy, prior to our trip, and got recommendations…and my high school friend Lauren really came in handy (thanks lady!). We went on excursions to her recommended dining establishments often and one in particular stood out…Lamole. This was a teeny tiny town and the restaurant was really the only thing to see. They had house made limoncello that was provided to anyone that wanted at the end of the meal, and it was DELISH!

Prior to this trip, I had made limoncello, due to my high producing Meyer Lemon tree in the back yard, but now, I had some context. It was time (well passed due, really) to trim said lemon tree, so what better time to give the ol’ limoncello making another go.