We are driving from the Chianti area to Montepulciano for a tasting at Salcheto S. R. L. at 1130 in two weeks. It should last about a hour, or just a bit over. Then we were going to go to Montalcino for a wine tour there at 1530 at Argiano. We were planning on eating lunch at Salcheto but they just informed me they are not serving lunch that day. Google says it’s a 1 hr drive between the two winery visits. Is it too much to try to drive to the town of Montepulciano (11 mins) to have a quick lunch there in between? I wouldn’t think there’s anywhere to eat on the road between because it doesn’t seem to have any autogrills. Thank you for any help!
Posted by
Portland, OR
1107 posts
Parking in Montepulciano can be very challenging and then it’s kind of an uphill trek to get to the shops and restaurants. I would favor a stop in Montalcino over Montepulciano for lunch. Parking is easier. That said, if you pull up google maps and add the food/restaurant icon filter it will pull up all of your food options along your route from Montepulciano to Argiano.
Posted by
Niagara, Ontario
1612 posts
Rushing lunch is never a good idea. Just down the road from your first winery, on the way to Montalcino, is this very good family restaurant. Margherita pizza crust was just right:
Posted by
OP
31 posts
@april, you’re probably right about trying to find parking outside of Montepulciano at that time. Maybe Montalcino would be an easier place for parking/getting in.
@gundersen, thank you for the suggestion. Yes, I definitely don’t want to rush, but unfortunately the timing is tight to be able to visit both as they only have two visit times open in both places. I looked at the place you recommended, but unfortunately, like Salcheto, it’s closed for lunch on Tuesday. Which is when we’re there. Thank you for the suggestion though!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6621 posts
San Quirico and Pienza are in the way
Both have easy parking, smaller towns-a quick walk into town
There are cafes right inside wall of both—nothing fancy!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11470 posts
Pienza makes a lot of sense for a lunch stop. Easy parking close to the main area.
Posted by
OP
31 posts
I don’t know why I didn’t think of Pienza! Thank you both. I guess I assumed the parking would be almost as bad as Montepulciano. Any recommendations for places?
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7433 posts
If you’re eating in Pienza, I have to mention Buon Gusto gelato - fantastic, and he speaks excellent English. I had a nice conversation with him in English after greeting him in Italian. ( I’m picky about gelato, so I don’t recommend many gelato shops.)
I ate lunch outdoors in the small Piazza di Spagna that’s very close to the Piazza Pio II. Everything I ate was very good!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6621 posts
Buon Gusto gelato
2nd vote for this gelato.
As far as recommendations- honestly can't remember names of places without looking up on Google maps but we ate lunch in both Pienza and San Quirico at cafes on main piazzas and both were completely satisfactory.
They might stop serving around 2, so watch the time.