Driving on the Strada Chiantigiana in Chianti

Posted by Rome-in on 05/20/23 07:29 PM

I was reading the last version of Fred Plotkin’s Italy for the Gourmet Graveler and he recommends driving on the Strada Chiantigiana (S.S. 222) to visit wineries in the Chianti Classico zone. He also recommended contacting the Consorzio Chianti Classico for a map, but I went to their website and I don’t see a map. Also, I tried contacting them and haven’t heard back.

Has anyone done such a drive where they just follow a map and stop in without reservations in the Chianti area? It sounds fun, but the information when I dug deeeper seems to have been more readily available in 2014, when the last version of the book was published.

Thank you for any/all information you can offer!

Posted by mont3589

05/21/23 01:11 AM

150 posts

222 is a great road to drive, even if it's just for the scenery.

We have visited many wineries in old castles and ancient abbeys in the Chianti area, some are close by off of 222, some are a little east of or a little west of 222. Most will require a reservation, especially if you want to have lunch there, but we have just dropped in on a few for a wine tasting without a reservation, best to check with each first. Here is a list, and a link to a Google Map showing where they are located...

Castello di Verrazzano
Castello di Querceto
Castello Vicchiomaggio
Albola Castle
Castello di Brolio
Castello di Gabbiano
Castello di Meleto
Castello Della Paneretta
Badia a Coltibuono Abbey

https://goo.gl/maps/cPGTUpMyvXCNwpme7

Posted by Robert

Colorado Springs

05/21/23 03:49 AM

2850 posts

Just a cautionary note that Italy's drink-driving laws are very strict, the threshold for DUI's is relatively low, and fines for getting busted are quite high, so if you plan to do any wine tasting along the way I'd recommend that you ensure that you have a designated driver.
The drive itself is beautiful, and is well worth doing with or without the wine.

Posted by Rome-in OP

05/21/23 04:37 PM

31 posts

Thank you all for the input!

mont3589, that’s an awesome map. I was trying to see if I could save it but it wasn’t allowing me. I guess it should be available just by clicking the link when I’m over there?