A TASTE OF NOBILITY

Soak up the secrets behind one of Italy’s oldest wines on this full-day excursion from Siena.

The earliest documented reference to Montepulciano wine dates back to 789 AD, when the cleric Arnipert offered the Church of San Silvestro in Lanciniano a plot of land planted with vineyards located on the estate of the Policiano Castle – the name by which Montepulciano was known in the Middle Ages. After more than 1,200 years Montepulciano wine continues to triumph…. Find out why while you sip the morning away in the Tuscan countryside.

Your private chauffeur will pick you up at your accommodation and drive you to a wine estate, well-known for its fine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and much praised Syrah. Once the property of local counts, since 1990 the estate has been run by a prestigious Tuscan family with a long history of wine-making. Indeed, their association with wine began over six centuries ago, in 1385, when one of the ancestors became a member of the Winemakers’ Guild of the city of Florence. After twenty-six generations the owners still maintain their reputation, both locally and abroad, as leading and forward-thinking producers, capable of balancing innovative decisions with a steadfast respect for tradition and the territory. On a tour of the cellar, accompanied by a member of staff, you will discover what sets Vino Nobile di Montepulciano apart from other Tuscan wines. The different stages in the wine-growing process will be explained, as well as the distinctive characteristics of the terroir and climate that make wines produced here so special. You will also learn about the strict regulations that define Vino Nobile, including which grape varieties and blends are allowed, together with the legal requirements for ageing in oak barrels. But every estate has its own precious formulas which you will have the chance to appreciate during a delicious light lunch paired with a selection of wines.

In the early afternoon a 25-minute drive will bring you to Montepulciano. Standing proudly on top of a steep hill, overlooking the Orcia Valley on one side and the Chiana Valley on the other, the town boasts a remarkably well-preserved medieval and Renaissance urban layout which has remained largely untouched since 1580. Rural, yet chic and romantic, Montepulciano is Tuscany’s pride and joy. A collection of sumptuous palazzi punctuates the town centre, proclaiming the importance of the site and the wealth of the local nobility during the 14th and 15th centuries, although it was not until the 1500s, under the rule of the Medici dynasty, that Montepulciano enjoyed its golden age. Amble along the main Corso and reach Piazza Grande, the very core of the town. Here you will find the beautiful unfinished Duomo and the imposing Palazzo Comunale dominated by a clock tower. Climb to the top for a sweeping view of Montepulciano and the surrounding countryside. The square is the setting for the folkloristic Bravio delle Botti, a wine barrel racing contest held every year in August that pays homage to Montepulciano’s most important trade. Indeed the history and fame of this small town are inextricably linked to its world-renowned, full-bodied Vino Nobile. To get a true feel for the town don’t forget to take a peek inside one of the atmospheric subterranean wine cellars, hidden beneath its buildings. Saunter through the steep, narrow alleys lined with shops selling gastronomic specialities, leather goods and all sorts of rigorously hand-made crafts before setting off for another Tuscan gem.

Time seems to have come to a standstill in Pienza. Conceived as a model city, this is the best-preserved Renaissance town in Tuscany. Pienza, meaning the city of Pius, was founded by Pope Pius II who wanted to transform his lacklustre place of birth into the perfect embodiment of Renaissance values. He commissioned architect Bernardo Rossellino with the task of building a town in accordance with humanist planning principles. The result is a harmonious 15th century urban centre which is still surprisingly intact. Make your way through the olde worlde streets to the small but perfectly proportioned Piazza Pio II, the heart of Pienza’s religious and political life for almost six hundred years. Here you will admire the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the elegant palazzi that together make up one of the finest corners of Tuscany. A walk along Via dell’Amore – Lovers’ street – and Via del Bacio – Kiss street – will make you fall head over heels for Pienza. You might also be interested to know that the town holds the title of the capital of pecorino. Stop to refuel with a bite or two of this flavoursome cheese then ride in comfort, through the splendid Tuscan landscape, back to your accommodation in Siena.