Born and raised in Scotland, Laura Gray studied English Literature at University of Oxford. The day after her last exam, she had her wisdom teeth removed, sold her belongings and moved to Italy. Her intention was to conclude the previous year’s summer romance before returning to real life. Instead, she married him and they now have three children. She has lived there ever since.

She landed in Montalcino, a beautiful hilltop town in the heart of Tuscany, where the prestigious wine Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is produced. Since 2022, she has worked freelance as a winery whisperer as well as running bespoke art history tours.

In her wonderful The Magpie’s Guide to Montalcino Laura Gray brings together a dazzling range of eclectic knowledge about both city and wine, with an analytic eye for detail and an irreverent attitude to life.  Is it a guide-book? Is it a lexicon? A glossary? A wine compendium? It is all of these and more.   Laura’s ability to convey huge amounts of information with levity and wit underpins a deep understanding of the wine, the culture and the daily rewards of life in the singular city of Montalcino.

Simon Gammell will discuss her life and times with Laura, who will also read from the book, talk about wine and then introduce a tasting of some fine Brunello

San Guglielmo winery will serve Brunello di Montalcino 2018.

Copies of The Magpie’s Guide to Montalcino will be available for purchase at the event.