December 10, 2024

The 10 Best Vineyards in Tuscany to Visit

Tuscany is an Italian destination that is famous for many things. Not only is the region considered to be the birthplace of the Renaissance, but it’s also one of the biggest producers of wine in the country, particularly red wine varieties.

If you’re visiting Tuscany it’s well worth taking a trip to at least one of the region’s vineyards, whether you consider yourself a wine connoisseur or not. Many estates are well-prepared for tourists with museums, shops and restaurants alongside their wine-making premises, so it’s easy to enjoy a whole day at some of the best vineyards in Italy.

When it comes to choosing which Tuscan vineyards to visit, the first thing is to consider where you’re staying in the region and whether there are any vineyards and wineries nearby that will be easy to reach. Alternatively, if you’re a particular fan of certain wines of Tuscany, you might choose to plan a visit to a vineyard where a particular variety is produced, or was even created.

Vineyards and wineries in Tuscany are found all over the region, but most tend to be clustered in places that offer the ideal soil and weather conditions for growing certain kinds of grapes. Chianti, Montalcino and Montepulciano are some of the best-known wine destinations in the region, which you’ll see featured in our list of the best Tuscan vineyards below.

From charming family-run estates to pioneering, eco-friendly wineries, there is a wide range of experiences to choose from when it comes to wine tasting in Tuscany. In this article, we share our recommendations for the top ten vineyards to visit in the region to help inspire you as you plan your next trip.

Castello di Nipozzano

For the ultimate historic vineyard in Tuscany, Castello di Nipozzano is housed in a Renaissance castle in Pelago in the Chianti Rùfina region. The original building is over 1000 years old with some remnants of the original stonework still visible and was built as a defensive stronghold for Florence. Centuries ago the Frescobaldi family began cultivating vines that were unique to Italy at the time, and today it’s most famous for its Mormoreto, Montesodi and Nipozzano varieties.

Visiting Castello di Nipozzano for a Tuscan wine tour involves a tour of the cellars and the impressive vineyards, followed by a tasting experience. There’s also an incredible restaurant onsite, Il Quartino, with a terrace boasting views of the vineyards. Famous artists Donatello and Michelozzo Michelozzi were said to be dedicated fans of this estate’s wine, so you can be confident in the exceptional quality of the wine you enjoy here.

Castello Banfi

Castello Banfi is more than just a vineyard; it’s part of a wine resort. A relative newcomer to the wine scene in the region, it was founded in the 1970s by two Italian-American brothers who have transformed an entire hamlet in Brunello di Montalcino into a haven for wine lovers, as well as an impressive family business.

You could easily spend several days in the estate, as not only are there vineyards and cellars which can be explored on a guided visit, but there's also a hotel, several restaurants, a glass museum and a Balsameria where a type of refined vinegar called Balsamico Etrusco is made. With over 7000 acres of vines, olive groves and cypress trees, it’s a stunning area with plenty of options to enjoy one of the best wineries in Tuscany.

Salcheto

If you’re interested in discovering something a little bit different when it comes to Tuscan vineyards, Salcheto in Montepulciano is a sustainable and biodynamic winery with some of the most impressive eco-friendly methods in the region, if not the whole of Italy. The majority of the energy that powers the estate is green, all of their waste water is purified and recycled, and they were the first company in the world to have certified the Carbon Footprint of a Bottle of Wine.

Salcheto is located southeast of Siena and offers guided tours and tastings all year round where you’ll get a chance to see the impressive and innovative technology and processes that this estate is famous for. With gorgeous views overlooking the town of Montepulciano and a restaurant that makes use of locally grown ingredients in its dishes, this is one of the loveliest and most interesting Tuscany vineyards.

Avignonesi

Avignonesi is one of the oldest vineyards in Italy, with cellars that are said to date back to the 16th century. However, this is another modern winery that prioritises sustainability in its winemaking process, with an impressive collection of eight reds, three grappas and a chardonnay all produced through biodynamic farming in the 345-acre estate.

As with many of the best vineyards in Tuscany, you’ll find Avignonesi close to Montepulciano in the village of Valiano, with a restaurant that offers lovely views of the Val d’Orcia. There is a range of Tuscany wine tasting experiences on offer here with the option to also explore the cellars and vineyards, enjoy a gourmet lunch and even take part in a traditional Tuscan cooking class.

Antinori nel Chianti Classico

If you’re looking for the most stylish places to enjoy wine in the region, the Antinori nel Chianti Classico is one of the best wineries in Tuscany. An architectural marvel created out of local terracotta and designed to complement the landscape, it was first opened in 2013 and includes a museum, gift shop, restaurant, wine bar and art collection, as well as wine cellars and tasting rooms

The Antinori family have been making wine since 1385 and have a number of different estates around Italy, with their Tignanello variety still considered to be one of the best wines in the world. This modern addition to their impressive collection is an incredible Tuscany winery where you can enjoy a range of tours, a rooftop restaurant and of course, delicious and iconic regional wines.

Castello di Ama

Chianti is a destination in Tuscany that is synonymous with winemaking, and Castello di Ama sits right in the heart of it. The historic castle, surrounding hamlet and vineyards were crumbling into disrepair before the current owners restored the estate in 1976, and now it’s one of the best Tuscany vineyards, especially if you’re also an art lover.

Castello di Ama also has a reputation as a cultural attraction in the area as the estate also has an impressive contemporary art program that involves inviting artists to come and create work in response to the landscape and then exhibiting their work. After you’ve enjoyed a Tuscan wine tasting experience you can then appreciate a variety of carefully curated art installations and then enjoy a spot of shopping at the luxurious Castello di Ama Atelier.

Capezzana

If you’re searching for a vineyard in Tuscany that is close to Florence, Capezzana is a great option. The estate has been used for producing both wine and olive oil since 804, but the Contini Bonacossi family who are the current owners have been managing the vineyards and their products since the early 1900s and take a respectful, traditional approach to respecting and preserving the land whilst also using innovative, ecological new methods.

Guided tours are available on the Capezzana Estate to learn more about both the wine and the olive oil, along with tasting sessions to sample the wines of Tuscany which are aimed at experts and also less experienced enthusiasts. The estate has more to offer for visitors on top of this; you can explore the whole area on an e-bike tour, stay in a B&B onsite, take a traditional Tuscan cooking class, enjoy food at the restaurant Vinsantaia di Capezzana, or appreciate the Contini Bonacossi art collection.

Castiglion del Bosco

One of the undisputed best vineyards in Tuscany is the Castiglion del Bosco, an estate and resort in the Val d’Orcia, Montepulciano. Owned by the famous Ferragamo family, what was once an ancient hamlet has been transformed into a 5,000 acres of vineyards, restaurants, a winery and an exclusive golf club.

Tuscany wine tasting at Castiglion del Bosco has been rated as one of the best places to enjoy a tour and tasting session in Italy, with a range of experiences such as cheese and wine pairings, a harvest tour through the vineyards, and an exclusive private tasting of Brunello di Montalcino.

Castellare di Castellina

If you’re after a trip to the classic Chianti vineyards in Tuscany, Castellare di Castellina is a great option. Both traditional and innovative techniques are used here to produce a variety of wines, so if you’re looking for a chance to enjoy Chianti Classico then you can certainly enjoy it after a tour of the winery. Situated almost directly between Tuscany and Siena in the Chianti area, it’s the perfect place for classic wine tasting in Tuscany.

Barone Ricasoli

Barone Ricasoli claims to be the birthplace of Chianti wine, and considering that it’s the oldest winery in Italy, it’s hard to argue with over 900 years of history. Over 240 hectares of vineyards produce a variety of wines including several Chianti Classicos, and the estate is also a renowned distributor of exceptional olive oil.

The large scale and impressive heritage of Barone Ricasoli means that you have a lot to choose from if you’d like to visit one of the best vineyards in Italy. Take your pick from a range of tours and maybe plan a visit to nearby Brolio Castle as well to appreciate architecture from across the ages and the Ricasoli art collection.

Summary

Many of the best wineries in Tuscany not only produce exceptional varieties of wine, but are also housed in beautiful historic buildings surrounded by breathtaking Tuscan countryside. Enjoy a vineyard tour and wine tasting experience in the home of famous wines like Chianti Classico, Tignanello and Brunello is an unbeatable experience that is the perfect addition to a luxury holiday in Tuscany, especially when you can also enjoy some of the region’s famous food alongside the wine.

If you’re planning a holiday to Tuscany and are looking for somewhere special to stay, The Villa Collection offers a hand-picked selection of villas around the region that are ideal for families and groups of friends who want somewhere luxurious to stay. Take a look at our villas in Tuscany or browse the rest of our collection of Italian villas for more inspiration.