Wine region · Italy
Tuscany: Chianti hills and Montalcino light
Tuscan wine country smells of rosemary, dust and warm oak. The Chianti hills fold between Florence and Siena, their roads lined with cypresses. Further south, the hill towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano look out over the Val d'Orcia. Sangiovese is the grape almost everywhere, and lunch is never rushed.
The lie of the land
- Chianti Classico, between Florence and Siena, centred on villages such as Greve, Panzano, Radda, Gaiole and Castellina. Look for the black rooster on the bottle.
- Montalcino, south of Siena, home of Brunello di Montalcino, with a fortress on the hilltop.
- Montepulciano, a Renaissance hill town known for Vino Nobile, with old cellars beneath its streets.
- Bolgheri, on the coast, a newer, Bordeaux-style story.
The landscape between Montalcino and Montepulciano, the Val d'Orcia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Where to base yourself
An agriturismo (farm stay) in the Chianti hills is the classic choice. Siena works as a car-free base with day tours. For the south, stay in or near Montalcino, Pienza or Montepulciano.
A good day here
Visit one winery in the morning, and have lunch at a winery that serves food or a village trattoria. Wander a hill town in the afternoon. Many Tuscan estates have proper visitor programmes with a tasting, often paired with olive oil and food. Book them, as tables and tour slots are limited.
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Tell us the dates, the wines you love and how you like to travel. Our trip planners will suggest a tailor-made route with drivers, trains and tasting bookings arranged, so nobody in your group has to drive.
Quick answers
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Official sources to check before booking
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