5 days in Montepulciano. Advice?

We just enjoyed a 5 days in Montepulciano in April. Some comments about our visit to Cesare's copper works here. We stumbled upon it on a rainy day, and it was one of the highlights of our stay!

I agree, figuring out how to make the most of your wine tasting time is rather daunting in Tuscany. Some comments on our wine experiences are here and here.

Not sure why we didn't go to Osteria Acquacheta while we were there. It looks good! The oddly named Sax Wine Bar next door to it doesn't look like much, but believe it or not, it was actually pretty good for lunch. We also enjoyed a very nice "fancy" dinner at Ristorante la Grotta, which is at the bottom of the hill across the street from the iconic Chiesa di San Biagio. Had another nice meal at Osteria del Borgo.

Bottom line, from our experience, you'll find that there are endless choices for food and wine both in town and in the surrounding countryside and other towns, and you sorta can't go wrong... : )

Enjoy!

If you only visit one winery make sure it's this one. 15-20 minute drive.
The whole village is basically the winery. Food is excellent 😉

https://avignonesi.it/en/hospitality

Also the save drive time but in a different location.

http://www.salcheto.it/en/

thank you both.

what's the best way to ensure not driving to these wineries?

hiring a driver for the day (seems pricey)?

thanks.

I second Gerri. Avignonesi was wonderful. Great tour and food. And the wine...….wonderful.

Also, right in the Piazza Grande is the Contucci Winery. Adamo is a great host.

Check with your lodging, Avignonesi is about 20 minutes by taxi, but r/t should still be less than a private driver. Or one of you has to be a DD, just be sure to bring some wine back to enjoy at your lodging.

La Grota for a fine dinning experience in Montepulciano and Il Covo is a VERY good local place for pizza and pasta. Both of these places I have eaten multiple times when visiting Montepulciano and have had WONDERFUL meals there. My wife and I have been to both over 10 times and the are GREAT.
Two wineries to look for tours/tasting are Boscarelli or Valdipaiata. Both are small family run wineries that make GREAT wines. Send then email and make reservations for visits. You will need a car or transportation to get to them because they are both out of town.
enjoy
John

PS. Get a car. You will need it when in Tuscany. Driving is not that bad. Check with the hotel on parking. Well worth getting a car rental.

Ristorante degli Archi.

Awesome food, tons of atmosphere, and the Owner Pier will sing to you if you let him.
We return on every trip, as we have become good friends.
Worth a visit for sure.

Jeff

Agree with Jeff. Ristorante degli Archi. Very unique in all aspects. Lobster over pasta was one of our best meals in Italy.
You will never forget your meal there!!!

We also enjoyed Avigonesi. We chose to have our large meal at lunchtime while in Tuscany, and ate at three winery-restaurants. If you could possibly arrange your tour for after lunch, you could perhaps drive yourselves. We spent a long time shopping in the wineshop after lunch. Lunch was absolutely stupendous, with very generous and comprehensive (I mean, vertical and horizontal pours, dessert wines, really showing what the winery does ... ). Reserve and prepay in advance. Like most of the serious wineries, this is not a walk-in event. Even though they don't make a sparkling wine, we were welcomed to wait for our tour's start with a glass of bubbly.

If you have a car, charming Castiglione del Lago is nearby, a slightly cooler (lakeside, with beach) visit on a sweltering Tuscan day.

If you like walking in the countryside walk to Pienza and take the bus back. Wonderful.