FOCUS
This document shows a list of the first selection of the wineries that we work with in Tuscany. If you really want the whole overview of what is going on in Tuscan wine, we need you in wine country for 6 days. The other thing about our company is we can arrange tastings of other regions we are not visiting, not just in Tuscany, but the whole Italian picture. We do not like to rush you about, sedate and relaxed touring is the key, but making good use of our time always. If you do not have that long, we can use pre dinner tastings to complete the picture.
Overview of Tuscany
Unequivocally the most beautiful wine region of the world. There is nowhere quite as stunning as the forested and vine laden hills of Chianti or the clay laden hills of the Val d'Orcia with their cypress tree driveways. Bolgheri in the Maremma with the stunning maritime pines and amazing coastal views is leading the pack with their international varietal blends. Think Masseto and Messorio (Le Macchiole) Merlot or the Cabernet Franc / Cab Sauvignon, the Bordeaux blends from Ornellaia and so many more. For us a Tuscan wine and food based vacation is as good as it gets: there is just so much to see. Do not be fooled into that Sangiovese is an easy grape to understand nor is that the only varietal that excels. If you have the time we would like you to really get to grips with Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, all Sangiovese based, but with totally different terroirs and winemaking methods. Staying South of Florence or in Florence itself is the way to go in our mind and if we can have you for 6/7 nights in Tuscany, you will have understood everything you need wine wise. Exceptional landscapes and wonderful foods and cooking experiences are all for the taking. Tuscany is world famous for a reason: come and discover it with us. Rome is the natural choice to pair up with a Tuscan wine tour and if you imagine from Rome to Florence by fast train is less than one hour it makes a lot of sense to combine the two.
We are asked to take clients into Umbria from Tuscany and yes we can do it (Assisi & Perugia), but in wine we just find too much in Tuscany to really justify it.
FIVI
The Federazione Italiana Viticoltori Indipendenti (FIVI) is a superb association of natural and smaller non industrial wineries. While not an assurance of quality, the ethos and naturalness of these wineries is never in doubt.
See here the FIVI Tuscan Wineries
Table of contents
- Wineries of Florence, Tuscany
- Wineries of Siena, Tuscany
- Wineries of Montalcino, Tuscany
- Wineries of Montepulciano, Tuscany
- Wineries of Val D’Orcia, Tuscany
- Wineries of the Tuscan Coast, Tuscany
- Wineries of San Gimignano, Tuscany
Wineries of Florence, Tuscany
This historic Abbey has impeccable wine credentials and we love to stay here to. Wines are extremely well thought of, and we concur.
Don’t let the name fool you! This is historic and always consistent with great green credentials.
Before biodynamics was fashionable, Rampolla was at it. Female run and managed and better for it. Outstanding.
More history here than you can imagine. We love the owners wife, the epitome of Tuscan aristocracy, now having to work to keep it all together. Well prices wines.
They are not so into visits but we love the wines. Cepparello is the star.
Owners of Ornalia and Masseto and so many more big names. We take Frescobaldi every day instead of Antinori.
Biodynamic fine wines in Greve in Chianti.
Immensely successful and completely merited. Flaccianello Della Pieve is the star of the show.
Wineries of Siena, Tuscany
Owned by the Allianz Insurance Group. Some great wines from all over Tuscany and the borgo is a wonderful stay.
One of the first and most authentic. Great visit and lunches.
High end and very well regarded. It’s a style.
Small and perfectly formed in Raddain Chianti. Doccio a Matteo is the riserva.
UNMISSABLE, and now we can stay here too. Visit and lunch has no equal in Chianti.
The Mazzei family are definitely hard working, outstanding tastings and range of wines, including their Sicilian venture. The borgo is lovely, as are the families gardens. Their wine bar and restaurant mean we often just nip in for a glass or a lunch.
This is for us the definition of old Chianti. Princess Coralia is a force to be reckoned with. If you think you know Sangivese, come and taste here and think again.
This is a style, modern and liked a lot by ourselves.
Splendid tastings and property. Wines are racy and extremely well regarded.
La pergola de la torta… Nothing more to say.
We love this little ease and the family. Great lunches and agrotourism.
Fox castle! Coltassala and Il Puro are the wines to watch.
Wineries of Montalcino, Tuscany
Montosoli is Tims favourite cru of Montalcino.
If you want a name, here it is. Crus are pricey and world famous.
One of the originals and one of the best
Nothing like a woman’s touch to create fine elegant examples of Brunello.
A lovely little estate close to Altesino. Good value and friendly visit.
Not for the faint hearted. Fanatical biodynamics at work. Two twins work the land and their Gemini Cru is one of the best in our opinion.
Old regal name close to the Talenti on the warmer northern zone.
Puchased by coffee giant Illy, and no worse for it… Love the whole thing.
A big name with great guides and gorgeous estate.
Warmer and red soil predominate. Gorgeous out of the way estate.
Classic and quite unknown.
Wineries of Montepulciano, Tuscany
The vineyard of Vallocaia offers some great wines. We love “I Quadri”.
This is old style excellence and the best of the originals. Owners are fun.
Newish winery and great things are already happening.
A giant among the Vin Nobles. International style and none the worse for it.
Interesting for a light lunch and to see a seriously sustainable winery with all the green boxes ticked.
Marco Sbernadori and his family oversee this gorgeous 80 hectare estate.
Simone and Leonardo proudly present their wines and estate, youth and passion make a heady mix.
Wineries of Val D’Orcia, Tuscany
Just getting here leaves you speechless. We love Franchetti’s Enta Passopisciaro estate too. Eye watering prices, only for people who might understand. International varieties only.
Wineries of the Tuscan Coast, Tuscany
Livorno
Closer to Livorno with exceptional Syrah, and Redigaffi is their famed pure merlot. Not into visits but.
Bolgheri
Superb entry level Bolgheri wines all the way up.
Bolgheri Castle dates back to 1500. The owners are Counts Zileri dal Verme and the vines planted in 1997 are really starting to make great wines.
UNMISSABLE. No weak wine. RWT’s go to Bolgheri winery.
Voted most beautiful cellar in Italy. Come and see why.
Newcomer like many. The Merlot is stunning, the name less so (QUERCEGOBBE).
Attilio Pagli is the winemaker, 1997 was their first harvest and their Cru “San Lorenzo”, is made from the typical Ciliegiolo making this an atypical winery.
No visit to Bolgheri can be without this visit. Perfection. Wines not bad either. Dont expect more than whiff the masseto room.
Due Mani
Due Mani are making some superb wines, Biodynmaic and small production. Closer to Bibbona
Tenuta Prima Pietra
Not connect with the biggest production of Brunello, Massimo Ferragamos’ newish project.
Castagneto Carducci
Agriturismo Biodinamico La Cerreta close to Castagneto Carducci
Massa Marittima
Massavecchia
Massavecchia make great wines.
Maremma
Gavorrano
Sequerciani
Sequerciani Natural wine specialists in Gavorrano
Roccatederighi
Ampeleia
L’Ampeleia Natural again close to Roccatederighi
Erik Banti
Erik is a pioneer, think square barrels?
Elizzabetta’s wines are hugely popular, and rightly so.
The wines are brilliant and for many Morellino is where the most dense and easy to like Sangiovese comes from.
Suvereto
Macchion dei Lupi make superb wines
I Mandorli have an incredible philosophy.
Wineries of San Gimignano, Tuscany
One of the most noble names with fingers in many wine regions.
– Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara
L’Albereta is definitive Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG.
Vernaccia again, but with Elisabetta Fagiuoli’s female touch.