Brancaia
Radda, Tuscany, Italy
Experience
A Swiss-owned Brancaia winery located near Castellina-in-Chianti. As well as cellar tours and tastings, they offer a ‘Blending Experience’ with the sommelier.
Good for age: 18+
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Chianti Wine Region
Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is home to the world-renowned Chianti Wine Region. Tour vineyards and taste wines at leading estates
Last updated: 27 March, 2024
Some of Italy’s best wines are produced in the DOCG Chianti Classico, 177,500 acres of undulating, vine-striped land stretching between Florence and Siena. Dozens of wine estates share this fertile terroir, many of which offer tastings and vineyard tours and an opportunity to buy wines from source. Some also have very good restaurants and accommodation.
The history of wine-making in the region dates back hundreds of years. Early Chiantis were a blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Malvasia Bianca grapes; today, a DOC Chianti must be made with at least 80% Sangiovese.
The main Chianti growing area is divided into eight sub-zones. The most famous is Chianti Classico, located between Florence and Siena, which produces some 25 million bottles a year, including some of the region’s greatest wines. Most bottles sport the image of a black rooster on a gold background, a guarantee of quality.
While you’re there
Many of the wine estates in Chianti also produce excellent olive oil, which you can taste along with the wines and purchase on site. Among the best are Castello di Ama, Dievole, Fonterutoli, Badia a Coltibuono and Borgo San Felice.
Recommendations
Castellina in Chianti
Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
Experience
Lying directly on the SS222, hill-top Castellina was once a bastion of Florentine dominance as seen in the imposing fortifications and tower. It’s a very pleasant town to wander around and there are lots of places to buy and taste wine.
Good for age: 18+
Castello di Ama
Gaiole, Tuscany, Italy
Experience
Ama is a tiny stone hamlet near Gaiole in a glorious setting. Apart from superb wines, Ama has an excellent restaurant, four lovely suites and one of the most important collections of site-specific artworks in Italy.
Good for age: 18+
Castello di Fonterutoli
Fonterutoli, Tuscany, Italy
Experience
The aristocratic Marchesi Mazzei family have been making wine at Fonterutoli since the 11th century; it now boasts a state-of-the-art wine cellar where you can book tours and tastings. The superb wines pair well with the elegant-rustic dishes on offer at the Osteria.
Good for age: 18+
Greve
Greve, Tuscany, Italy
Experience
Medieval Greve-in-Chianti lies at the northern end of the Chianti Classico area and is a bustling market town with pretty arcaded central piazza. Generally considered the centre of Chianti wine-making, it hosts a huge, annual Festa del Vino, usually on the second weekend of September.
Good for age: 18+
Logistics
Price: Free
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The ‘wine towns’ of Greve-in-Chianti and Castellina-in-Chianti are good starting points and the tourist offices have maps. The Chianti Classico Consortium’s website has information about the opening hours of each estate and the tours and tastings they offer.
Most tastings and vineyard tours need to be booked ahead. The distances between the northern and southern confines are longer than expected and the roads are winding; choose three or four to visit that are close together.
Self-drive means you can stop and start when you like, but organised tours are often a simpler option, with tours and tastings all pre-arranged.
When to do it
Wine estates are open all year round seven days a week. It’s interesting to visit during September when the vendemmia (grape harvest) is underway although some smaller estates discourage visitors in this period.
Who to go with: organised tours
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Florence
A comprehensive experience in one of the most fascinating areas of Tuscany, known all over the world for its wine and its countryside of unrivalled charm, where woods alternate with vineyards and olive groves, in a landscape dotted with Romanesque parish churches, farmhouses, villas and castles of rare beauty. You have the chance to combine Chianti wine with blissful Tuscan countryside on a Wine tour from Florence! With your tour escort, travel out of Florence and spend your time tasting the famous Chianti Wines and the typical Food in two enchanting wineries with local wine-expert guides. In both wineries, tour the wine cellars, hear the secrets of Tuscan organic wine making, and then sample prestigious Tuscan wine alongside some traditional Italian snacks. Immerse yourself in the essence of Chianti , where every sip narrates a story and each view captures the beauty of Tuscany!
Price €40
Min age 0
Rating 4.34 / 5 [3035 ratings]
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Siena
Immerse yourself in Italy’s history on this 2-hour sightseeing tour. Explore Siena's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town; discover Siena's central square, Piazza del Campo; and visit the stunning Siena Duomo (Siena Cathedral) with your fast-track, skip-the-line entrance ticket. As you walk through this incredibly beautiful Tuscan city with your expert guide, you'll feel as though you’ve journeyed back in time.
Price €40
Min age 0
Rating 4.75 / 5 [502 ratings]
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Florence
This day trip is to explore the flavors of the land just south of Florence with its traditions for great wine, olive oil, cheese & meats.
We visit two distinct organic wineries, and you will come to understand the concept of terroir, and you will learn how Chianti & Chianti Classico is made. Your Grape guide will explain how to distinguish the characteristics of the wines in your glass.
Lunch is an exceptional feast at famous butcher Dario Cecchini with traditional dishes and Steak.
Return with the fondest of memories of Tuscany's wine country.
Price €300
Min age 18
Rating 4.99 / 5 [186 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Florence
Located between Florence, Siena and San Gimignano, Casa Sola is a family owned boutique winery, ideal stop for those who want to discover the magic of Chianti world.
Our passionate team is ready to share with you the history of the area, we will illustrate Casa Solas' vision and lets you discover the quality and the diversity of Chianti Classico wines.
Learn the story behind the production of each bottle of wine, from the time of the pruning, to the vendemmia or harvest, through the fermentation and aging. Learn what makes each vintage different and delicious.
Price €39
Min age 0
Rating 4.99 / 5 [112 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Chianti
Visit an organic estate that organizes guided tour and tastings in the heart of Chianti Classico area, between Radda and Panzano in Chianti. During the tour it is possible to see the vineyards and the wineries, hear a guided explanation of the wine-making process in order to make wines of the highest quality. The visit is then followed by the tasting of the 3 or 6 wines, accompanied by small but tasty snacks, including bread with olive oil of own production and Grappa.
Price €40
Min age 18
Rating 4.87 / 5 [108 ratings]
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