We're in our 60s and spending a week in Southern Tuscany with a base in Val D'Orcia and plan to see Montepulciano, Montalcino, and venture to the Umbrian towns of Asissi and Orvieto. We'd also like to visit wineries to taste the best wines this region has to offer. There are so many to choose from -- Banfi, Biondo-Santi, Barbi, Poggio Antico, Nardi, Frescobaldi, etc. We would appreciate wine affectionados sharing some of their experiences and letting us know with Italian roads, which ones we can group together in one day. We're trying to determine the "must see" vineyards/wineries from the nice to see and your insight is very much appreciated.
Posted by
8 posts
Hello boomerslikeus,
you are planning a very interesting trip! If you have time spend a day in beautiful Cortona, it will worth it!
I suggest you to have a look here for some itineraries about best wineries, http://www.doitintuscany.net/food--wine-tours.html or ask directly to their email for a customized tour with a professional sommelier at your side (info@doitintuscany.net) who will let you discover the real good wineries out of the mass "traffic" and the most prestigious ones.
I hope you'll enjoy your holiday!
Federica
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
That's not that far from Orvieto, home of the famous Orvieto Classico wine.
Photos from our trip there are here, in case you want to see for yourself: Orvieto in May 2011
Posted by
Atlanta, Ga
211 posts
Sent you a PM.
Posted by
Winter Garden, FL
40 posts
We are currently at the agriturismo Argiano. We were given a private tour today of their winery and estate. Wonderful Brunello wine in this area. About 10 minutes from Montalcino. Truly amazing
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
1054 posts
I just returned from 3 weeks in Tuscany with most of the time at wineries.
Montalcino
If you can get a reservation for Biondi-Santi go there. The history they have creating the Brunello, the property was amazing and so are the wines. I would put that on your list to stop at. I've loved these wines for the past 5 years and was great to get a chance to visit.
We also did a private tour at Villa La Prata and Poggio Rubino one afternoon. Actually walked through the vines to get between them.
We meet a local who used to work at Padelletti and he took us for a visit. They are inside the town of Montalcino istelf and really old. They have been making wine before Biondi-Santi but not Brunello. The history of this winery was nice. They even use seveal of the old machines including a one bottle at a time cork machine by hand and hand rolling labels. I don't know if they are open to the public thought.
I also ejoyed the tour at Cupano. Never had their wines and is one I bought 6 bottles to ship back home.
For me San Polino was a great day and tour. I was recomended this one by some friends who went last year.
Montepulciano
My favorite here was Boscarelli outside of town.
Also Salcheto was interesting to me in the some green techiques they are using. They do a interesting tour.
Of course we did Contucci with Rick's book and yes Adamo is a charachter. Defintely stop by their place inside the city.