Tuscany Guide for Wine Lovers

As the largest producer of wine in the world, Italy is the ideal destination for wine enthusiasts. The splendid coastal wine region of Tuscany is home to Italy’s largest concentration of vineyards, some dating back to the Middle Ages! Tuscan wine is celebrated throughout the world for its local varieties, rich flavours, and alluring aromas.

Tuscany is also home to a number of excellent wine tours. These Tuscany wine tours will take you through the process that each bottle undergoes, and exhibit the natural beauty of the vineyards.

This guide will give you an exclusive look at how to plan your wine journey through Tuscany. Discover where to find the best Tuscan wines and where to stay in Tuscany to optimize your Tuscan wine tour experience. There is no other region in the world like Tuscany, so what are you waiting for?

Chianti Classico

It would be impossible to go to Tuscany without tasting a Chianti Classico. Florence and Siena are the two capitals of this beloved wine, and dozens of Chianti Classico vineyards extend between these two historical cities. The fertile grounds and optimal climate of the Chianti region help generate one of the oldest wines in the world. Dating back to the 13th Century, today it bears the DOCG classification. Made from Sangiovese grapes, this Tuscan red wine is high in acidity and offers subtle cherry aromas. Chianti Classico has been aged in oak for longer than a simple Chianti. This improves its structure and smooths crispness of the wine.

Staying between Florence and Siena would be most strategic for Chianti Classico connoisseurs. A few optimally positioned towns in Chianti include Greve and Panzano. Treat yourself to a holiday in a Tuscan Villa and be within short driving distances of the major Chianti vineyards.

It would be a challenge to stay in the Chianti region without visiting Cantina Antinori nel Chianti Classico, one of the most renowned vineyards in the entire country. Just off the road that connects Florence to Siena, this beautiful vineyard offers some of the best wine tours in Tuscany. Book a tour now to discover the world of the Antinori Family and its precious wine, dating from 1385.

For a step back in time, the Ricasoli family’s Brolio castle and vineyard is a must-visit as well. Situated northeast of Siena, this hilltop displays a castle with stunning Renaissance gardens, in addition to the oldest Chianti Classico of the region. The Ricasoli family has been producing wine since 1141 and today possesses a total of 240 hectares of vineyards. They export Chianti Classico worldwide and offer some of the best wine tours in Tuscany. To book your Tuscan wine tour at Brolio castle, consult the Ricasoli family’s vineyard tours page.

Finally, the Montemaggio estate offers visitors high-quality Chianti Classico and numerous other Tuscan red wines. Montemaggio has been a certified organic estate since 2009 and provides one of the few Tuscan organic tours in the region. While the entire estate stretches for over 70 hectares of woods and olive groves, the majority of the vineyard lies near the center, nestled on a mere 8 hectares. The family-owned vineyard ensures the quality of every bottle through a highly-selective cultivation process and manual pruning. Additionally, the land’s fertile soil, which is rich in sandstone and galestro, nurtures some of the finest grape varieties in Tuscany. If you’d like to book a fun wine experience at the Montemaggio estate, consult their wine tours and experiences page.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Slightly west of the main road connecting Florence and Sienna is the village of San Gimignano. This gorgeous medieval hilltop town is not just a picturesque landscape; it also produces one of the best wines in Tuscany: Vernaccia di San Gimignano. One of the oldest and most noble wines of Italy, Vernaccia di San Gimignano is the only white wine of the region to have achieved similar success to the Tuscan reds. It may not be as internationally renowned, but it is, without a doubt, one of the most distinctive Italian white wines.

Principally made of the Vernaccia grape, it is characterized by dry and crisp flavors, given by the extremely rich terroir and high levels of acidity.

Staying in a Tuscan Villa within close proximity to the San Gimignano vineyards should not be hard. Some of the best options include a charming country house and luxury mansion near to the medieval town. Complementing your Tuscan wine tour with one of these enchanting accommodations will ensure that you have an unforgettable vacation.

For a fascinating wine cellar tour and delicious wine tasting, visit the Pietraserena vineyards, a property of the Arrigoni family. Since they are in San Gimignano, these vineyards principally produce organic Vernaccia di San Gimignano. That said, the Pietraserena vineyards have also expanded their offerings by planting Sangiovese grapes and experimenting with different variants. This Tuscan vineyard offers guided tours of the cellar and surrounding land, in addition to an organized wine tasting and lunch. Enveloped by beautiful Tuscan hills, the Pietraserena vineyards are a picturesque place to taste some of the most authentic and popular wine labels of the region.

Cappella Sant’Andrea is also definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. In perpetual harmony with nature, the family produces organic Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine and offers meals and guided tours. Enjoy a relaxing dinner while sipping on a full-bodied Tuscan wine in the family’s charming farmhouse.

For a more modern take on traditional winery tours, consider visiting La Rocca. Though this winery specializes in Vernaccia di San Gimignano, they offer a wide variety of Tuscan red and white wines. La Rocca hosts several events throughout the year to educate visitors and other wine producers about their winemaking process. During these events, visitors can use a touch screen to learn more about other local producers of Vernaccia di San Gimignano and enjoy a multimedia tour of the facility. If you’d like to contact La Rocca or learn about their event schedule, you can find more information on their official website.

Brunello di Montalcino

One of Tuscany’s, and in fact Italy’s, most prestigious local wines is Brunello di Montalcino. This Italian red wine is made from Sangiovese grapes grown around the town of Montalcino, south of Siena. The hilltop town allows for the Sangiovese grapes to better ripen in comparison with other Tuscan wines. Once the grapes have been harvested and crushed, the additional maturity gives this Italian wine a fuller body and a strong, fruity character. With smooth tannins and high levels of acidity, Brunello di Montalcino also has the ability to age beautifully. Ideally, it should be kept for at least 10 years to give it an even more interesting flavor.

Thankfully, a wide and gorgeous selection of Tuscan Villas stands in close proximity to the town of Montalcino. Stay in a historic farmhouse, enjoy the panorama and drive to one of the many superior vineyards of Montalcino for a wine tasting session and a visit of the wine cellars. Additionally, many Tuscan vineyards in the area offer romantic dinners for two.

Perched on the sunny hills of Montalcino, Poggio Antico is a winery that should definitely be featured on your list. Producing both Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino, this Italian winery welcomes visitors all year round for visits of the stunning estate, explanations of the winemaking process, and, of course, wine tasting sessions. Book a tour online to discover the beauty and luxury of their cellars, vineyards, and fine local wines.

Another great place to enjoy the subtle intricacies of a Brunello di Montalcino is the vineyard of Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona. This family-owned vineyard has been a respected wine merchant in Tuscany for decades, though the estate dates all the way back to the 17th Century! The staff at Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona offer visitors wine tasting tours and cellar tours for an in-depth look at their winemaking process. For more information, visit the Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona website.

Nobile di Montepulciano

Also made from Sangiovese grapes, but in the hills of Montepulciano, this noble red is also among the top local wines of Italy. Just east of Montalcino, Montepulciano is a hilly town located between the rivers of Ocria and Chiana. Its Nobile di Montepulciano wine dates back to the Etruscan era. Notable for its tannins and acidity, Nobile di Montepulciano ages very well. In fact, its winemaking process requires an aging period of at least 2 years, which includes one year in oak barrels.

There are a number of great Tuscan villas within 10 kilometers of Montepulciano. Booking your accommodation close by ensures that you will have a short drive to some of the best Tuscan wineries in the area. Due to the natural hills in and around Montepulciano, we definitely recommend renting a car for your Tuscan wine tours!

The “Avognesi” Company’s wine estate, stretching out between Montepulciano and Cortona, works in perpetual harmony with the environment and follows the standards of organic agriculture. They offer plenty of wine tours and tastings – so be sure to drop by! You can book a private wine tour via their official website.

Salcheto is an organic wine estate in the Province of Siena, about 5 kilometers southeast of Montepulciano. This winery specializes in Nobile di Montepulciano production using sustainable harvesting and processing methods. In addition to its beautiful vineyards and top-notch winemaking facilities, Salcheto has an in-house restaurant that serves locally-sourced ingredients. For more information, check out the Salcheto estate website.

Morellino di Scansano

While the Etruscans had been making wine in northern Italy for centuries, winemaking was not introduced to Maremma, a region in the south of Tuscany, until sometime in the 19th Century. Nonetheless, this is one of several emerging wine regions, producing some excellent coastal wines, including Morellino di Scansano. This Italian dry red is made from Sangiovese grapes and is almost exclusively produced in and around the small village of Scansano.

Many private wine tours in Maremma are far more exclusive than those in the Province of Siena or Florence. In fact, some wine cellars and vineyards are not even open to the public. However, those that do open their doors offer excellent tours and wine tasting sessions. Though Scansano is somewhat remote, you can find a number of Tuscan Villas in Fonteblanda, which is about a 30-minute drive from the nearest Maremma vineyards.

You can gain access to the majority of vineyards surrounding Scansano via the Cantina del Morellino di Scansano. This winery manages over 600 hectares of vineyards in the area, specializing in the Morellino di Scansano. However, most individual vineyards are family-owned and operated. Some of the vineyards are closer to the sea (producing more coastal wines), while others lie farther inland, near to Monte Amiata, a volcano and the highest point in the region. In any case, you can book a full-day Tuscan wine tour of one of the Scansano vineyards right here.

For a closer look at one of the area’s most popular vineyards, look no further than Poggio La Luna. This organic vineyard specializes in Morellino di Scansano and several other local Italian varieties. That said, visiting wineries doesn’t have to be all about excellent wines. Poggio La Luna promotes a wide variety of natural flavors and products from the Maremma region. Specifically, it offers visitors natural honey, extra virgin olive oil, and craft grappa. To learn more about Poggio La Luna or to book a wine tasting tour, consult the Poggio La Luna website.