5 Incredible Wine Tasting Tours in Tuscany
Wine tasting in Tuscany, Italy, is a must for any wine connoisseur. This selection of wine tours includes whistle-stop visits to some of the region’s most legendary vineyards, as well as luxurious overnight stays in opulent villas.
Get to know Tuscany’s rich history and stunning landscapes through its world-famous wine.
Open my heart and you will see
Engraved inside it, Italy.
These famous words were penned by the English poet Robert Browning in the 1800s, who lived in Tuscany for many years.
Undoubtedly, the wordsmith enjoyed his fair share of the fabulous local wines, but Tuscan tipples didn't gain worldwide renown until the 1970s.
Up until then, Tuscan wines were only considered high quality if they fell under traditional classifications (41 Denominazioni di Origine Controllata (DOC) and 11 Denominazioni di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)).
But during this most revolutionary of decades, a number of wines were made outside of these regulations. These were known as "Super Tuscans" and they triggered huge interest in wines from the region.
Today, wine lovers - both expert and novice - make the journey to the idyllic rolling hills of Tuscany in quest of a taste of premier league plonk, perhaps even picking up a bottle of cult-classic Super Tuscan for investment purposes.
Tipple Tours in Tuscany
If a wine tasting tour in Tuscany sounds like your "tazza di vino", we've collated some of the most rewarding excursions currently on offer.
Many of these begin and end in Florence, so you can easily combine your enjoyment of this exquisite city with your love of wine.
Consider these inspiring Florence wine tours.
Chianti Wine Tour from Florence - Day Trip
On this popular tour by CAF Tour, you'll be picked up in Piazzale Montelungo, Florence, then whisked away into the Tuscan hills by bus. The tour includes a number of the region's famous winemaking estates, as well as a mediaeval village.
Alongside the wine tasting, you'll be offered a smorgasbord of mouth-watering Italian food and the opportunity to explore old wine cellars.
This five-hour Florence wine tour will give you a grounding in Tuscan wine and offers good value, starting at £50 per person.
Maremma, Home of the Super Tuscans + 5-Star Hotel
How about an overnight stay in a 5-star hotel while on your wine-tasting tour? That's what's on offer from Cellar Tours.
The trip begins with breakfast at your castle hotel before being chauffeur-driven to the famous Maremma Wine Region.
Alongside the millionaire playground of Porto Argentario on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast, the area is known for producing superior wines like Ornellaia and Sassicaia and the legendary "Super Tuscans".
The wine tasting begins on the second day, when you'll visit some of the best vineyards in Tuscany and have ample opportunity to stroll the beautiful old streets of Montemerano, Pitigliano and other quaint villages.
Montepulciano Winery Tour and Tasting Experience
The mediaeval hilltop town of Montepulciano is a destination in its own right, but this tour gets you into its fascinating 16th-century wine cellar.
Accompanied by an expert sommelier, you'll discover ancient winemaking techniques and see the town's incredible Etruscan tomb.
The experience includes four prominent local wines, paired with bread - plus a selection of delicious local produce.
All the featured wines have the DOC, DOCG, IGT, or "Super Tuscan" labels discussed in the introduction.
Prices start at £30 per person, and the tour lasts for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
While brief, this tour lets you see some of the best vineyards in Tuscany and will surely whet your appetite for a longer tour.
Pisa, Siena, and San Gimignano Day Trip from Florence Including Lunch
This tour combines some of Tuscany's most historic towns with a 3-course lunch - and of course, carefully selected wine pairings.
After exploring Siena's main square and its stunning Gothic cathedral, it's time to settle down and enjoy some spectacular Tuscan food and wine.
Later you'll have time to stroll the picturesque mediaeval streets of San Gimignano, then see the famous UNESCO-listed Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The 12-hour trip includes air-conditioned coach travel. Pick up is in Florence's Piazzale Montelungo, and prices start at £56.
Classic Bolgheri Wine Tours: Tenuta Le Colonne
Tenuta Le Colonne is surrounded by fragrant olive trees and lush vineyards - the perfect place to experience the flavours and aromas of Bolgheri wine.
Dievole is offering a great value 1-hour guided tour of the vineyards and barrel cellar, with the chance to try three very special Tenuta Le Colonne wines.
The tour costs 35 euros per person, with up to 8 people on the tour.
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