Wine Tours Montepulciano

If your ideal trip includes plenty of wine tastings and winery visits in one of the most quintessential Italian sceneries, Montepulciano is the place for you. This beautiful medieval town is located in the south of Tuscany, perched on the top of one of the sunny hills that characterize the landscape, surrounded by hectares of vineyards. Furthermore, Montepulciano's unique layout, characterized by a difference in height of about 60 meters, allowed the construction of the town's historical underground cellars, dug into the tuff rock the town lies on. Thanks to its strategic positioning, Montepulciano is a great starting point for your Tuscan wine tour, allowing you to easily reach other locations of interest such as Pienza, Siena, Val d'Orcia or Val di Chiana.

Montepulciano's secular winemaking tradition, stunning landscapes and rich historical background make it the ideal location for travelers who want to combine wine tastings and winery visits with some more traditional sightseeing. Montepulciano's Vino Nobile was one of the first wines in Italy to obtain the DOC (controlled designation of origin) recognition and in 1980 it was the first Italian wine to achieve further recognition, DOCG (controlled and guaranteed designation of origin). Other typical wines of the area are: Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Bianco Vergine della Valdichiana DOC, Chianti Colli Senesi DOC and Vin Santo DOC.

The best way to accompany a glass of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG during your next wine tasting is with some typical food from the area. Some specialities that cannot be missed are Pecorino di Pienza DOP, prosciutto di Cinta Senese DOP, pici alle briciole, Chianina steak, almond cantucci dipped in Vin Santo.

During your wine tastings in Montepulciano, you will be able to taste different grape varieties, at times combined to obtain a well-balanced and rounded wine. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, for example, has the same base grape variety as other well renown Italian wines, like Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino: Sangiovese, locally known as Prugnolo Gentile. Other local grape varieties include Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia. Of course, the Tuscan hills of this area host some international varieties as well, such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The best season to plan your holiday, weekend or even just a wine tasting in Montepulciano is summer. This will allow you to enjoy the landscape at its maximum beauty and liveliness. On the last Sunday of August, the Bravio delle Botti is held, a competition between the eight districts of the town where competitors - known as the "pushers" - have to roll empty wine barrels uphill for more than a kilometer.

Between a wine tasting and a winery visit, don't miss out on these highlights of Montepulciano: the old town, including its main square - Piazza Grande - and the Duomo, Montepulciano's thermal baths, Palazzo Bucelli, Tempio di San Biagio.

The average price of a wine tasting with winery visit in Montepulciano is around €52.50. Depending on the experience, prices range from €25.00 to €80.00. Booking in advance ensures availability and the best prices.

Here are the top wineries to visit in Montepulciano:

• Ercolani Montepulciano
• Fattoria Svetoni
• Tenuta Golo
• Podere Casa al Vento
• Villa Sant'Anna
• La Ciarliana
• CANTINA CHIACCHIERA
• Croce di Febo

Here are the best wine tastings to book in Montepulciano:

• Tuscan Lunch at Terra Antica in Montepulciano
• Premium Lunch & Wine Tasting at Terra Antica
• Sip & savour at Tenuta Golo Wines
• Artisanal Wine Tasting on the panoramic terrace of Podere della Bruciata
• Vineyard, winery tour and tasting of 6 wines at Le Berne in Montepulciano
• Wine & Nibbles Experience at Tenuta Golo in Montepulciano
• Private Tour Barrels & Reds: Discover Vino Nobile di Montepulciano at Tenuta Golo
• Vineyard, winery tour and tasting of 4 wines at Le Berne