How to organise a wine tasting tour in Tuscany? Here are all the tips: how it works, where to go and for how many days.

Wine tours in Tuscany: how they work and how to organise one

Until a few years ago, this was still considered a niche activity, reserved to experts and connoisseurs, whereas now, it is popular with simple wine lovers. We are talking about wine tours in Tuscany.

More and more Italian and foreign tourists are choosing to set off on wine tasting tours in Tuscany, land of Brunello and Chianti, as well as of some of Italy's most important winegrowers. A wine tour is an experience to be tried at least once in your lifetime. It is immersive, educational, and offers the opportunity not only to taste fine wines, but also to learn a great deal about them and how they are made, from vineyard to bottle. 

Wine tours in Tuscany: how they work

What should you expect from a wine tour in Tuscany? It is the type of experience that can be planned for a single day, a weekend or even several weeks, according to the area chosen and the number of wineries you want to visit. Even if the reservations can be managed independently or through a travel agent, this experience is always tasked to the cellar that will be hosting you each time.

Visiting the vineyards

One of the most charming parts of the tour is doubtless a visit to the vineyards, where those at work will show you the different types and varieties of grape, the growing techniques, and the history of the area which, in the case of Tuscany, is also interwoven with Italian art and literature. As you look at the rows of vines and the ripe bunches of grapes, you can feast your eyes on this beautiful region, the magic of the ripening grapes and the spectacular sight of the hills and mediaeval villages before you.

Visiting the wineries

The next step is a visit to the  cellar, the nerve centre of every winery, where the production processes take place and where, the treasured bottles of historic vintages are to be found. This is where the guide will explain how each wine is made, from the fermenting process to ageing, showing you how modern technologies are always combined with traditional, historic methods. This part of a wine tour in Tuscany is certainly the most educational and fascinating; a unique experience and opportunity to admire the secrets of the winery close up.

Wine tasting

Finally, the part that all lovers of fine wine are waiting for; the actual tasting. According to the package or  menu chosen, the winery will offer a selection of wines for tasting, served in the most suitable glasses, while a sommelier will take you through the tasting process  from eyes, to nose, and mouth. In many cases, wine tasting is combined with the opportunity to sample local speciality foods.

Wine Tours in Tuscany: simple rules for organising

Here is some advice about organising a wine tour in Tuscany. 

Choose the time of year

The choice of time period for organising a wine tasting tour in Tuscany is a very important one, not just because in different periods you can admire the scenery in different seasons, but also because the activities available during your visit are subject to change. September is doubtless the ideal month, because you can be present at the harvest - and sometimes, even take part- while summer is recommended for admiring the grapes as they reach peak maturity. The winter months are less to be recommended, since some wineries may be closed or operating at reduced hours.

Visit few wineries at a time

If your tour is to be a short one, we recommend not trying to visit as many as possible: choose just a few, but of good quality. A few, carefully selected wineries, and only one or at most, two per day. This is because each winery has its own story to tell and marvels to show you, and it is only fair that you enjoy the experience without rushing.

Private car or car with driver

If you don’t have your own vehicle, and if you want to enjoy a wine tour to the full, then we advise hiring a private driver who can accompany you from one winery to the next, if you intend to visit more than one, or who can drive you in the morning and return to collect you at the end of your visit.

Wine tasting tour in Tuscany at Castello Banfi Wine Resort

Castello Banfi Wine Resort organises wine tours in Tuscany for all wine enthusiasts, with different types of guided visit and wine tasting menus able to satisfy even the most discerning palate, for a magical experience in the shade of the old  Castello Banfi di Poggio alle mura, on the Banfi estate.

Guided winery visits

 Guided visits to the Banfi winery are available in the morning and afternoon. In the morning, the tour that begins at 11am also includes lunch, with a choice of  three- or four-course tasting menu (paired with selected wines). The afternoon tour includes a tasting of four wines.

As well as these proposals, it is also possible to book a two-hour private wine tour which, as well as the visit to the  vineyards and winery, adds a visit to the Balsameria and lunch at the La Taverna restaurant.