Of course, one of the many reasons people travel to Tuscany is to drink the incredible local wine and enjoy the wineries of the area. There are certainly many of the “classic” winery experiences available throughout the region, but if you look around you realize all wine tours are not same. And through the different tours, you can really get to know Tuscany a little better. While they all have a commitment to quality, they come at the process from a slightly different approach. No matter which winery you visit, you will leave with a greater appreciation for wine making and the deep commitment to the land and the wine it produces.
We were able to experience three different types of wineries during our last visit. Two were new to us, so it was great to get a different perspective. We’ll start with the classic experience, what you might be picturing as soon as some says, “Tuscan winery”.
Classic –
Avignonesi (About 25 minutes outside of Montepulciano, on the way to Cortona)
This is a gorgeous setting, with sweeping views of the countryside. They have an organic and biodynamic approach to winemaking and it shows in the beautiful landscape that surrounds Avignonesi. You will want to schedule a tour prior to arriving, if you can. Depending on the tour, some are limited to only 12, so they can fill up quickly. If you looking for formal tasting and tour, but not to spend most of your day here, then the Tour and Taste experience is the way to go. You will tour the estate, taste wonderful wines, but since it’s only 1.5 hours long, you will definitely be able to fit it in with other plans for the day. If you are looking for a bit more, then the Grand Experience is for you. This is a great tour that will also include an incredible lunch with beautiful views from their terrace. While this is only 3 hours, it includes quite a long list of wines for tasting. It is a wonderful experience, but you might want to leave your afternoon open to go back to your B&B for little bit of a nap. No need to rush to the next thing. We have visited twice and done both tours. They are each wonderful, so really it depends on how you want to spend the rest of your day that will determine which is right for you. You can also just stop by their wine bar if you are looking for something a little less formal.
Town –
Talosa (Just steps away from Piazza Grande in the heart of Montepulciano)
Visiting Talosa will take you underground, to a historic cellar from the 1500s. When you enter from the store on Via Talosa, you go down a labyrinth of stone stairs and pathways to the basement of the two of the oldest buildings in Montepulciano. There you will find the incredible aging barrels and the area for tastings. This tour is not about the vineyards (there isn’t a vine to be found), but more about the wine making process, the family behind these fabulous wines, and the history of the place where they are aged. If you would like a tour and tasting, reach out to them in advance to see what is available. Of course, if you’re spending the day in town shopping and sightseeing, you could always just stop in the store to learn a little bit more about Talosa wines and check if they have informal tastings available.
Rural –
Podere Le Ripi (About 20 minutes outside of Montalcino)
While this has views just as beautiful as Avginonesi, the vibe could not be more different. Yes, they are both biodynamic wineries, but Podere Le Ripi takes this to another level. There is a sense of community with those who care for the land and that this community translates to better tasting wine. This is a more casual environment, but that does not mean that the wines they produce are any less. If anything, it adds to the quality of all they do. If time allows, plan the tasting that includes a tour of the gardens and visiting the animals who call Podere Le Ripi home. You will get a better understanding for their love and commitment to the land. Unlike other wineries, this gives you an option to bring children. Yes, your still tasting wines, but the animals and gardens make it an enjoyable day for everyone in your family. Getting there and the tour itself will take up quite a bit of your day, so plan accordingly, but it will absolutely be worth it.
General tips for visiting wineries in Tuscany –
- Plan ahead! Once you have decided which wineries you want to visit, book your tours before you leave home. Depending on the time of year, you might want to book a few weeks out. Many offer small tours and tastings – great for when you’re there, but sometimes difficult to get booked. Unless you want to just stop in a wine bar (if they offer the option), advance reservations may be required. And in the case of Avginonesi, if you have a larger party (over 4) you will still need reservations for the wine bar.
- No matter what, you will have a good amount of wine during your tour, since that’s kind of the point. On some, you might have a lot of wine. If you have a full day of wine tastings, this might be the day to hire a driver. Even if you have rented a car for your trip, leave the driving to someone else so you can really enjoy the day. The roads of Tuscany can be challenging under the best of conditions, don’t add a little wine to the mix to find out how challenging they can really be.
- Some tastings offer a full lunch, some don’t include anything – not even a crust of bread. So read the details and know what you’re getting. If you have a few tastings planned, it won’t matter if they all come with food. But you definitely don’t want to find out the day of that not even a snack is coming with any of your tastings.
- You will have many options to buy large quantities of wine or just even a bottle or two. If you plan on making just a few purchases, bring wine bottle bags – such as these from Amazon (not an affiliate link) – for your return trip. Shipping wine home can really add to the cost of it, and it also means you have about 3-4 weeks before you see the wine you’ve purchased. That makes giving it as a gift to your friend who picked up your mail for you when you were gone a little anticlimactic. Of course, if you’re buying a case, ship it.
