Wine Tasting @ Enoteca la Fortezza di Montalcino

I stayed in Montalcino a couple of years ago. I visited the Enoteca la Fortezza but didn't sample wine there. As I recall, there were no free samples. Rather, you purchase a glass from their list of available wines. I also don't recall whether there were flights of wine available, but perhaps someone else will remember. Another option is a wine store on Via Giacomo Matteotti that allows you to pay as you go and sample tastings of various wines. I believe it's called Enoteca di Piazza. Rick's Italy guidebook used to have a few pages on Montalcino with information about wine tasting, and that might now be included in his Florence & Tuscany guidebook. Check those resources for additional information.

My husband and I went to the Fortezza in June of 2014. We just strolled in - it wasn't crowded at all. As I recall, we were able to purchase a flight of great quality locally produced wines, along with cheese, bread, and local honey. It was all quite delicious and a lovely relaxing time. The server was very knowledgeable, and able to guide us with map of the vineyards that produced the wines. Highly recommend!

Good to know I don't need an appointment. Their website shows the different tasting offerings and prices but I wasn't sure if we needed a reservation. I really don't know exactly what time we'll end up there so wish to be flexible. Thanks for the information and the tip on the other place to try too. Have a great day!

Seems to me that they also had olive oil tasting

I wasn't aware of that. That would be great too. Thank you!

My wife and I just returned from a 5 day stay in Montepulciano. If you're spending any time in town, and you like wine, check out E Lucevan le Stelle - Wine Bar Bistro near the top of the hill. It's a great place to enjoy some tasting and some food while watching the sunset. Lots to choose from there, and really helpful and smart servers who know their wine. Montepulciano also has a Fortezza with tastings on the other side of town, which has a fun "self-serve" experience with automated wine dispensers, again with great views.

We visited Montalcino on one of our day trips, but got there before la Fortezza was open for tasting. As others have noted, I understand they have options where you get a nice flight and some munchies to go with it. There are also many smaller enotecas throughout the town of Montalcino. One in particular called "Enoteca Bacchus" on the main street in the old town was extremely friendly and helpful (I randomly wandered in there and stumbled onto a few bottles of a hard-to-find vintage, and Allesandro hooked me up!).

Finally, if you're looking for a really nice wine-pairing lunch experience, check out Avignonesi (it's in the other direction, on the way from Montepulciano to Cortona). The food was fantastic, the wine was pretty good, but the Santo dessert wine they finish with made it all well worth it!

Enjoy!

Thank you for the additional tips Hubestur. We are staying very near E Lucevan le Stelle Wine Bistro so we'll have to pop in there. I did read up on the Fortezza in Montepulicano and we plan on checking that out. I'll look up Enoteca Bacchus in Montalcino too. I had read about Avignonesi winery and so want to go there based on the reviews I read but not sure we can fit it into our plans. The luncheon is from 12-3 so takes up a big chunk of the day. It would mean giving up a visit to one of the hill towns and not sure I'm willing to do that. I'll have to save that idea for our next trip to Tuscany. So much to see and do and just not enough time. Thanks again!

Yup, not sure there are any wrong answers with all the choices you'll have there. After lunch at Avignonesi, we continued on to Cortona. Didn't spend a whole lot of time there, but we were able to make use of that day by exploring a little bit of an interesting hill town. And of course, we still had enough time to get back to our place in Montepulciano for more wine and a great sunset. : )

Second vote for Enoteca de Piazza. You can taste hundreds of wines and they will even ship to the US and if you order enough wine they don’t charge shipping.

Sounds like we definitely need to check out Enoteca de Piazza then. Thanks everyone!