Wine is literally everywhere to be found here. Every hill and valley is covered with grape vines. In between the hills old farmhouses alternate with splendid villas, medieval castles and then again vineyards. This beautiful Tuscan scenery is home to some of the world’s most famous and prestigious wines. Spending your vacation here will most likely be an unforgettable experience. Just think about the vast number of excellent wines that you will be able to sample. However, Tuscany Vineyard Hotels have a lot more to offer than just wine. Food enthusiasts will also not go short at all. You will enjoy exquisite traditional and modern Italian cuisine, prepared with fresh and often organic products from the region. Ultimately many of the wineries are also exquisite spa hotels and offer excellent spa treatments to round off your experience.
The largest Tuscan wine region, and home to one of the most iconic wines, is the Chianti. The hotels that we have selected for this region offer perfectly equipped rooms and suites, wonderful views of the vineyards and the stunning countryside and, of course, they allow guests to gain unique insight into the Tuscan wine culture and wine making process. Needless to say you will be able to sample and purchase great wines directly from the producers. Very often the hotels are housed within old castles or historic farmhouses that have been carefully restored and offer modern amenities and often even luxurious interior design and facilities. So if you decide to reside here, we are very sure that you will get to know the most beautiful side of Tuscany.
Villages & vineyards: Following the famous wine route "Strada Chiantigiana" (SR222) that leads through the beautiful countryside is the perfect way to discover many of the picturesque villages and vineyards. A good starting point for a tour of the region is Greve in Chianti. The pretty main square Piazza Matteotti with its beautiful arcades, cafes and restaurants is used to present the newest Chianti wine every year in September. From Greve in Chianti you can easily reach the medieval Panzano - not only popular for wine but also for its famous salami and ham. Narrow alleys, the impressive town wall and the surrounding wine-growing estates make Panzano one of the prettiest wine villages to visit.
Hiking & castles: The Strada dei Castelli del Chianti, the castle road, connects the many well preserved castles and fortresses of the Chianti region. Hiking the castle road is a memorable experience. Starting in Gaiole in Chianti hikers can reach many medieval treasures like the wine village Castellina with its stately 15th century castle or the Castello di Brolio.
Medieval San Gimignano: San Gimignano, which has been declared Unesco World Heritage in 1990 because of its almost unchanged medieval appearance, attracts tourists from all over the world. It is also known as the Town of Fine Towers: many visitors come to see the well preserved Romanesque and Gothic architecture and the tower houses that have been built by Patrician families to demonstrate their power and wealth.
Other very famous wines from Tuscany are the Brunello di Montalcino and the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Montepulciano: Montepulciano is located 70 kilometers southeast of Siena. The town is home to the red wine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano which is produced in a few vineyards in the vicinity and considered to be one of the best Italian wines by connoisseurs. For foodies and gourmets the town also has a lot more to offer: Montalcino is famous for its cheese and pork products and honey. An ideal place to stay and a perfect base to discover and experience the region is the small gourmet hotel Agriturismo San Martino.
Stay in Chianti, located between Florence and Siena, for hiking and castle-filled countrysides. The Val d’Orcia is filled with rolling hills and picturesque vineyards. The top-rated hotels in Tuscany are Wine Resort Dievole in Chianti and Poggio Piglia near Montepulciano.
Villa Loggio Winery and Boutique Hotel is the top-rated romantic vineyard hotel in Tuscany, while Hotel Borgo Casa al Vento and Agriturismo La Sovana are also regarded highly by couples.
Tuscany is known for its beautiful landscapes and world-class wine production. The best way to spend your trip in Tuscany’s wine region is hiking through the countryside, past castles and medieval villages, and drinking wine on tours of vineyards and wine cellars. Chianti Wine Region, Val d’Orcia, and Montepulciano are the best places to visit for wine tourism.
Tuscany produces the third-highest number of DOC/G wines; these include Chianti, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vernaccia, and Brunello di Montalcino, among others. Super Tuscans are a class of red wines which exist outside of any official category but are purportedly very high quality and have prices that reflect that.
Tuscany’s vineyards and vineyard towns are usually accessible with a train/bus from Florence (Chianti, for example, is just an hour from Florence) followed by a bus transfer. Because the region is best explored slowly, renting a car is recommended, especially as some of the more secluded vineyard hotels are only accessible by car. That said, you can also book a transfer or taxi from towns nearby the hotel if you do not want to drive yourself.
The cuisine in Tuscany is famously good. Try a Lampredotto sandwich (cow stomach with broth and salsa verde), Crostini Toscani (baguette with chopped chicken liver), Panzanella (cold bread salad), and the many varieties of perfectly-cured meat. The Florentine steak is a simple t-bone served just with olive oil and salt.
