For more than a decade, we have championed independent, family wineries from around the world. These families produce high-quality, authentic wines which convey a sense of place, respect previous generations, and apply rigorous sustainability methods to preserve for future generations.
At Uva Imports we find ourselves at the crossroads of business, passion, progress, and preservation as a national importer of fine wine.
The satisfaction we find in sharing these wines and stories of our small family producers while connecting with wine-lovers from around the world was the driving force that launched our travel
company, Joy of Italy Tours.
Uva Imports - A Passion for Wine
Our Story:
Hi, We are Adam & Natalie Richard
TOUR DETAILS
We love travel, cuisine, wine, cheese and amaro.
We live for the opportunity to experience the world. This desire to explore has led us to more than 20 countries together throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia and often takes us to a few new countries each year.
Though we enjoy the major sites of any new city, we prefer to seek out uncharted locations and restaurants where we can break away from the tourists and indulge in what is unique to the place.
We believe it is impossible to have an authentic experience without taking the time to slow down and savor the elements that make a destination distinctly special.
Adam first visited Italy in 1995, a trip that had made a huge impression and shaped the direction of his life. Natalie fell in love with the man and the country in 2012. She joined his passion for Italy and their life together includes time exploring their second home.
They were married in the Barolo area of Piedmont in 2014 and were blessed to have the opportunity to share this beautiful country with their most adventurous friends and family.
Italy was Adam's 1st love...
Let us show you our little slice of heaven.
Meet Your Hosts:
What makes A Joy of italy tour different...
01.
Exclusive Access to Winemakers
02.
Stay in Luxurious Castles & Palaces
03.
Enjoy Michelin-Starred Restaurants
04.
Curated Wine Pairing Included
05.
Unforgettable Excursions
06.
Fill Your Cellar
Personal Wine Shipping Service Available
Experience the winemaking process like no other tour
In every aspect of our tour we focus on quality over quantity. Why run from winery to winery tasting a few wines and racing to the next with little memory or connection to what is in the glass or who put it in the bottle?
We want you to get to know our winemaker friends and their families. Spending a half a day at each winery learning the mission, passion and history of their multi-generational wine production.
These winemakers have a great desire to share with you their family history, regional information and answer your questions. In true Italian style we will enjoy a tasting of each producer's wines pairing them with the local cuisine.
Relationships Matter to Us
What a joy it was to travel across Northern Italy with Adam & Natalie as our guides! Their extensive first-hand knowledge of the area and their connections to the winemakers in the region made this a truly one of a kind experience. I especially loved watching the sunset from the top of the tower in Barbaresco. It was the perfect setting to enjoy a bottle of wine with fellow travelers and watch the changing colors on the vineyards below. Another highlight was our time spent around Lake Garda. The nature beauty of this area is stunning! It is impossible to speak about this trip without mentioning the kind hospitality we experienced. All of the winery visits were outstanding in every way. Whether it was a private tasting in a candlelit cellar, a late night conversation, a walk through the vineyards, or an elegant lunch in their home, each winemaker made our visit a special occasion. Not only did I learn a lot about wine but I was able to enjoy it in a relaxing setting with wonderful people. Thank you Adam & Natalie for creating such an incredible trip!
- Ben & Janelle
I am not a tour type of person but after spending 8 days with Adam and Natalie in Northern Italy along with a three other couples this experience rates an 11. The quality of service, selection of wineries, hotels, background information, transportation, restaurant selection...outstanding. Adam and Natalie have created an exceptional environment where you are one on one with boutique winemakers, not a 30 minute tasting but a rich conversation about the culture and meaning of these unique family wineries embodied in the lands they cultivate and the wines they produce. This was an unbelievable experience, I can not recommend it more. Regardless of your level of wine appreciation, you will learn and be well versed in the plentiful selections and style of the region. And if food is your jam...seriously out of this world. Adam has found the best which represent the area, the cuisine is delicious, the preparation flawless and no one goes hungry or thirsty...this is a not to be missed experience.
- Anthony
We are not interested in being herded around to the sites with a tour guide holding a sign on a stick.
We believe life is too short to eat subpar meals prepared for the masses.
We don't see the point in sleeping in boring standard hotels without charm or character.
We refuse to run from place to place without any free time to enjoy it.
We have zero intention of being packed into a fifty-seat passenger bus.
Most of all we are not interested in a typical tourist vacation.
Good, neither are we...
Not a "Tour Group" kind of traveler?
So, we set out to create a better tour experience!
LEARN MORE
I am not a tour type of person but after spending 8 days with Adam and Natalie in Northern Italy along with a few other couples this experience rates an 11! The quality of service, selection of wineries, hotels, background information, transportation, restaurant selection...outstanding. Adam and Natalie have created an exceptional environment where you are one on one with boutique winemakers, not a 30 minute tasting but a rich conversation about the culture and meaning of these unique family wineries embodied in the lands they cultivate and the wines they produce. This was an unbelievable experience, I can not recommend it more. Regardless of your level of wine appreciation, you will learn and be well versed in the plentiful selections and style of the region. And if food is your jam...seriously out of this world. Adam has found the best which represent the area, the cuisine is delicious, the preparation flawless and no one goes hungry or thirsty...this is a not to be missed experience.
- Anthony (2 x Joy of Italy Tour Guest!)