Wondering if anyone can recommend a car service that includes wine tastings. I have found some places online but I am looking for recs for a services that someone out in the forum world has actually used and can provide feedback on.
(We will have a car but we want a day where no one has to worry about driving)
(You may want to include where in Italy you’ll be.)
Thanks Steve. I totally overlooked that wee detail. We’ll be near Gaiole (not too far from Radda and Greve).
It’s been a while since I’ve done the Chianti wine country thing, so don’t have specific recommendations on drivers. For that, do a search on TripAdvisor using one of the nearby larger towns as you noted and search under tours.
Also, in the event that you are not familiar with wineries in Tuscany, it’s worth noting that he area is nothing like Napa or other California wine destinations. For the most part, only larger wineries offer tours/tastings and most smaller ones require advanced reservations. These tend to be very relaxed (an hour or two) tastings with some finger food. The density of wineries in the area is much much lower (and further apart) than what we are accustomed to here in the US, so that will limit how many you can hit in a day. This may influence your decision about hiring a driver. Finally, almost all of these towns have communal tasting rooms where the smaller wineries are represented under one roof. Those experiences, though not on winery grounds, are much more accessible and no less authentic. Chin chin!
I use a guy that was subcontracted through one of our wine tours in the past. I was so impressed with him that I contacted the guy who owns my favorite winery in Montalcino (as I knew they were friends) and asked for his info, have been using him since and will be using him again in October. He does whatever you want. He's very familiar with the wineries in Tuscany and can make all the arrangements for you, make lunch reservations, take you on a tour of neighboring towns if you like, etc.. He also speaks great english.
My dad and I just got back from Italy and it was his first time there so I had Giovanni arrange a tour with a winery in Montalcino, a visit to the abbey of Sant' Antimo, a scenic drive through the Val D'orcia region, a stop in Pienza, Montecchiello, and Montepulciano. In the fall my husband and I are going to do something with wine and truffle hunting through him. Here's his email: [email protected]. Very professional. Tell him Wendi referred you if you end up contacting him.
It may be somewhat challenging to find a car service for such a remote location. We stayed at Badia Coltibuono a few years ago and it was lovely to taste there, as well as Castello di Meleto not far from there.
