Tuscany is renowned as a tremendous wine region featuring outstanding wineries nestled in charming landscapes. The rolling hills of Tuscany observe the production of some of the finest & popular Italian wines in the world, such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Scansano, Maremma, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Carmignano. Most of the Tuscan wineries are lying in the countryside near the cities of Florence and Siena. Tuscany has the greatest classification for Italian wines, including more than 400 wineries and sixteen DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) zones.
The wine region extends along the Ligurian coast in Italy, and the wineries of this region produce leading-quality Tuscan wines with a distinctive flavor due to its excellent geographical and climatic conditions. Tuscan Wineries combine old-world and modern winemaking techniques, and one can find a lot of family-owned wineries in the region that offer a chance to visit historic homes during the tour and learn about the origin of wine production in one of the most acclaimed wine-growing regions over the globe. Hence, Wine tasting in Tuscany is a riveting experience that involves exploring the history and culture behind wine production in Italy and tasting estate-made wines while being girdled by the most admirable scenery.
Here is a specially curated selection of the best Tuscan Vineyards to enjoy the flavorful wines of this stunning region.
1. Avignonesi
The vineyards of Avignonesi are spread across the spectacular hills of the southeast part of Tuscany, alongside a vineyard in the surrounding municipality of Cortona. Dating back to the mid-16th century, it is one of the oldest wineries in Italy. This winery has been revived under the new ownership of Belgian Virginie Saverys in 2009, and around 345 acres of the estate have been shifted to organic farming. Avignonesi offers a selection of activities in the summer. Their wine tastings are very famous, and they offer an eclectic range of bottlings, including its popular Vino Nobile and Vin Santo, along with dining opportunities. Visitors can purchase all their wines from the Cellar Door.
Location: Avignonesi Winery - Le Capezzine
Via Colonica 1, Valiano, 53045 Montepulciano (Siena)
April - October: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM;
November - December: Monday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM;
(January and February: Closed)
2. Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio
Barone Ricasoli is the most long-standing winery in Italy and the second oldest across the globe. Snuggled in the communes of Gaiole and Castelnuovo Berardenga, Barone Ricasoli is today's biggest winery in the Chianti Classico area. The property sprawls over 1,200 hectares of undulating hills, valleys, dense woodlands of oak & chestnut, 235 hectares of vineyards, and 26 hectares of olive groves. The formula for the Chianti Classico wine was invented at this wine estate by the Iron Baron Bettino Ricasoli as a Sangiovese-based wine in 1872. Hence, Ricasoli is an amazing place to start your Chianti wineries tour. With various award-winning wines, the research and exploration at Ricasoli continue with the development of new labels. The impressive Brolio castle of the Ricasoli family is open for a diverse range of experiences, from wine tastings at the shop to elaborate castle museum tours and fine dining at its fine osteria.
Location: 53013 La Madonna Province of Siena, Italy
Opening Hours: January - March: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM; April - October: Monday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
3. Antinori nel Chianti Classico
Within 20 km from the heart of Florence city, the striking Antinori nel Chianti Classico winery lies right off the main highway to Siena. Amidst the Tuscan hills, this innovative winery features geometrically aligned vineyards & olive groves and offers wine-tasting & cellar tours. Since 1385, the Antinori family has been engaged in the wine business, and you will find an active and fruitful wine empire here that produces two of the leading Italian wines - Tignanello and Solaia, on the nearby Antinori estate. Operating on the concepts of the Antinori family, the winery uses locally acquired materials, such as wood, glass, terracotta, etc. It is an excellent fusion of architecture and nature concentrated on environmental sustainability. A restaurant, Rinuccio 1180, is set on the terrace in warmer months and offers beautiful views. You can choose from three different kinds of tours or request a custom-made experience.
Location: Via Cassia per Siena, 133, 50026 Bargino FI, Italy
Opening Hours: April - October: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00; November - March: Monday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
4. Badia a Coltibuono
Badia a Coltibuono is an over 1000 years old former monastery and farm, which is today an expansive estate encompassing vineyards, olive, and chestnut trees, and produces some of the finest wines of Tuscany. The name of Abbey, Coltibuono translates as Good Harvest, possibly indicating the significance of viticulture here. Coltibuono makes an eclectic range of wines, from traditional to inventive wines. Notably, this impressive Chianti Classico estate is the foremost wine resort in Chianti that presents a distinctive experience in the authentic atmosphere. Visiting Badia a Coltibuono means enjoying & learning about the finest local foods and wines and holidaying in a villa housed in the restored monastery in vast & quiet surroundings in the Chianti mountains.
Location: Loc. Badia a Coltibuono, Gaiole In Chianti SI, Italy
Opening Hours: Summers: Monday - Sunday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM; Winters: Monday - Sunday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
5. Tenuta di Capezzana
Tenuta di Capezzana is the premier property situated in Carmignano, the smallest Tuscan DOCG. It is one of the oldest wine estates in Tuscany that has been engaged in winemaking in Carmignano since 804 A.D. Here, the outstanding array of wines ranges from reasonable everyday drinks, like the Barco Reale to the Capezzana Super-Tuscan Ghiaie della Furba. The noble Bonacossi family at Tenuta di Capezzana welcomes the visitors with various options, including guided tours with wine-tasting & lunch at the Vinsantaia restaurant. The visits involve a walk through the ancient cellars, the oil mill, the Vinsantaia, & tasting a broad selection of wines, and the estate also offers accommodations in two archival buildings.
Location: Via Capezzana, 100, 59015 Carmignano PO, Italy
Opening Hours: March to December: Thursday & Friday: 7:30 PM - 12:00 AM, Saturday & Sunday: 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM and 7:30 - 12:00 AM.
6. Tenuta Torciano
Tenuta Torciano is among the most famous Tuscan wineries across the world with excellent wines and spectacular landscapes. At Torciano Winery everyone can enjoy a taste of Tuscan life around the year. It offers more than 45 wine experiences and tours, and here, you can find a broad array of home-grown wines from the areas of Greve in Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Bolgheri, and Scansano. Visitors can enjoy wine tasting, gourmet dining, and peaceful romantic strolls across the vineyards, gardens, and terrace with splendid surrounding views. You will find the finest Tuscan appellations at this winery, alongside other options appreciated by the American public, including Brunello di Montalcino, Super Tuscan based on Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, Chianti Classico, Morellino di Scansano, Bolgheri Red, Bolgheri Bianco, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, and many more.
Location: Via Crocetta 18, Loc. Ulignano
53037 San Gimignano (SI) - Tuscany Italy
Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
7.Castello Banti
Castello Banfi is a winery situated in the south of Montalcino in the Tuscan wine region. It is a major wine tourism destination that offers tasting opportunities for the sweeping range of Banfi's wines and features a boutique hotel, a restaurant, a glass museum, and a balsamic. The Mariani family administers the entire estate encircling a medieval fortress that they named Castello Banfi. Around one-third of the 7,100 acres of land on the Castello Banfi estate is dedicated to wine production. The winery has flavorsome Montalcino, Chianti, and other international wines. The guided visits are available at the winery in the morning and afternoon, guiding you through the sites and experiences that make Castello Banfi unique.
Location: Castello di, 53024 Poggio alle Mura SI, Italy
Opening Hours: March - October (except holidays): Monday - Friday at 4:00 PM;
January 7 - February 28 and November 4 - December 20 (except holidays) - 3:30 PM
8. Castiglion del Bosco
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco is one of the most remarkable estates in Tuscany and a top Brunello producer. The Castiglion del Bosco is snuggled in the northwest of Montalcino with its vineyards along the coast and offers its visitors exposure to Tuscan wines. Being among the most notable producers of Brunello di Montalcino, this winery was one of the founding producers of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino in 1967. It hosts various wine-tasting seminars to let the visitors learn about the wine culture along with an exclusive range of private tours and tastings guided by the winery staff. Notably, the vineyards of Castiglion del Bosco are set in the striking tranquility of a UNESCO-listed Natural Park, surrounded by gentle hills and sprawling forests.
Location: Località Castiglion del Bosco, 53024 – Montalcino (Siena), Italy
Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (last tour at 5:00 PM)
9. Castello di Ama
Nestled in the historic heart of Chianti Classico, in central Tuscany, Castello di Ama lies in a hilltop town between the Provinces of Florence and Siena. The winery seems like a fairytale and is also a destination for modern art. Castello di Ama is one of the greatest wine producers in Tuscany and among the world's best wineries, owing to its dedication to quality in both vineyard & winery. The vineyards stretch across four valleys known by their traditional names as San Lorenzo, Bellavista, La Casuccia, and Montebuoni. Remarkably, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Ama Vigneto Bellavista is one of the oldest Chianti Classico wines produced here since 1978 from the Sangiovese grapes (around 80%) and Malvasia Nera. Here, the visit plus tasting guided tour of the company spaces lasts around one hour.
Location: Castello di Ama - Località Ama
53013 - Gaiole in Chianti (Siena)
Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
10. Poggio Amorelli
Poggio Amorelli was conceived by the passion and hard work of the Mazzarrini family, and it produces high-standard wines using the Chianti Classico method that are bottled at the origin. The winery is situated in the heart of Chianti Classico, not far from the traditional city center of Castellina in Chianti. Besides the varieties of IGT and DOCG wines produced and packed, as per the Tuscan traditions, it also makes Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Grappa, and Balsamic Vinegar. Poggio Amorelli offers a space to adore nature and tastes delicious wines and other authentic Tuscan products. The farm welcomes everyone who wants to indulge in typical Tuscan food & aged wines. The tasting experience is conducted in both the wine cellar and the picturesque terrace overlooking the verdant hills of Chianti Classico.
Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
A wine-tasting tour in Tuscany is not a five-minute tasting at a usual bar, rather it is a captivating experience of exploring the history of this wine region. Tuscany is a wine heaven for all wine lovers. With engrossing views of Tuscany, the wineries are waiting to welcome you to enjoy their wine tastings and tours and learn about their wines and winemaking history. These vineyards and wines that impart the taste of what makes this destination so distinguished are truly worth being on the wish list of travelers & wine enthusiasts!