WHERE THE WINE FLOWS

Learn all about 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 on visits to two prestigious estates.

Meet your private driver outside your accommodation and relax on the ride through the gently rolling Tuscan hills to a winery, 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 famous 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. Here, on a tour of the cellar led by a qualified member of staff, you will get to know the activities carried out on the estate and discover what sets Vino Nobile di Montepulciano apart from other Tuscan elixirs. A delicious light lunch accompanied with a selection of wines will then be served in the estate’s dining room.

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 heart 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 landscape. 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 taste of Montepulciano don’t forget to take a peek inside one of the atmospheric subterranean wine cellars, hidden beneath its buildings.

Top off your day with a visit to a boutique family-owned wine estate, established in the late 1960s. 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 exquisite. 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 unravel and applaud! After a wine tasting experience and a toast rejoin your driver and ride in comfort, through the splendid Tuscan landscape, back to your accommodation in Siena.