While it might always be wine tasting season in Tuscany, there are only a few weeks when it’s harvest time. Even if you’re not a huge wine drinker or aficionado, it’s a great time of year to experience in Tuscany. The crazy heat of the summer is gone, the sunsets seem a little more golden, and the wineries prepare for their busiest time of year. Last September we had a chance to experience this first hand at Castiglion Del Bosco, northwest of Montalcino. While you can visit and take part in wine tastings here throughout the year, this is a special experience that is available for only about two weeks at the end of September. And if you can make it work with your trip to the area, it’s definitely worth the drive to experience it.
What is included in this experience?
- After arriving at the winery, you’re given your Harvest Kit to prepare for setting off into the vineyards. A t-shirt, gloves, and cutters will get you ready for the work ahead.
- Once you’re out with your guides they will explain the process, what they are looking for when selecting grapes, and how to cut them properly from the vines. Then it’s your turn to make it happen! When you see how much it takes to fill up a crate of grapes, you will gain a new appreciation for the work and the workers who make it happen every year.
- Then it’s back to the cellars to follow the next steps in the process. Also learning a bit about patience, because the grapes we harvested in 2024 wouldn’t be ready until 2029!
- Of course there is pay off for all your work in the morning with a wine tasting and beautiful lunch. This is a chance to really understand more about the process. Our guides ~ Zach & Nare were amazing! Castiglion del Bosco makes some of the absolute best wines in the world. It would be easy for them to make it an intimidating experience. It wasn’t that at all. We felt comfortable asking questions and really talk about the wine and the process.
A few more things about this –
- While the surroundings, wine tasting, and lunch are all beautiful, you are still starting your day in the vineyard. So this is definitely a more casual wine tasting. It can be muddy, windy, dusty…all the things. It’s so fun but save your cute shoes for another day.
- It takes a bit to get there. If you’re staying in Montepulciano, plan on at least an hour drive there. No matter where you’re coming from, the last few miles will be on “strada bianca” or white roads. The gravel roads can be just a bit more challenging if you’re not used to driving on them or if there has been significant rain recently. Certainly not a deal breaker, but it’s worth planning a little extra time to get there.
