We'll be driving from Volterra to Montepulciano this spring and are thinking about doing the the indirect but undobtedly more scenic route through Chianti, eg Greve, Radda, etc vs just taking the R2 freeway. Any suggestions on a good, scenic route. We obviously have all day to do the drive and are interested in quaint hill towns, beautiful scenery and great architecture. I'm a photo buff so the more scenic with pullouts and possible photo ops the better! We're wine people but lived in California for a long time so doing the winery thing/tasting is not necessary.
One more bit of info: We'll be staying down in Montepulciano for the week and have been to Val d'Orcia in the fall a few years back. Is the scenery in Chianti that much different and spectacular than the Val d'Orcia? ie is it worth even going up there?