Montepulciano: Guided tour and tasting with lunch at the winery

During your stay in Tuscany, don’t miss a visit to Montepulciano, an ancient town dating back to the Etruscan era. In this extraordinary place, time almost seems to stand still. An area known all over the world not only for its history, but also for its ancient culinary and winemaking traditions; legends tell of the excellent wine produced here: the famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

As you stroll through the picturesque streets of the town centre, you’ll find a unique place where wine and history come together in perfect harmony.

It may look like a simple wine shop, but it isn’t. In fact, once you enter, the experience begins and you’ll be escorted down a 15-metre staircase to the underground cellar.

This is the historic winery, containing antique wooden barrels inside which the fine wines of Montepulciano rest. You’ll admire vaults and tunnels dating back to the 16th century, as well as a unique example of an authentic Etruscan tomb.

Your experience begins with an introduction to the winery and its history, then follows every step of the process that brings Montepulciano’s fine wines to the world’s tables.

At the end of the visit you’ll take a seat in the large tasting room for lunch, accompanied by the tasting of 4 wines. Each wine will be paired with a different dish.

You’ll enjoy a platter of local products, with typical cured meats and cheeses from the local area, followed by a traditional Tuscan first course.

If you’d like to fully enjoy the Montepulciano experience, you can also book the more comprehensive experience, which includes a traditional main course to follow your starter.

PLEASE NOTE: We can cater for any type of menu, and vegetarian options are always available. We politely ask you to inform us of any food intolerances at the time of booking. For organisational reasons, please let us know your menu choice no later than 48 hours before the start of the experience.

What to expect:

Historic winery

The historic winery is located in the basement of Montepulciano. Even today the atmosphere of this evocative and impressive place is extraordinary. You’ll find yourself surrounded by huge oak barrels, containing what are considered to be some of the best wines in the world.
This is the first stop on the tour, and your guide will explain the history of the winery and all the stages of production, from the grape harvest to the creation of these sublime wines.

Tuscan platter

After a tour of the historic winery, you’ll take a seat in the large tasting room, where your first wine will be accompanied by a platter of traditional Tuscan cured meats, such as salami, Tuscan prosciutto and capocollo, as well as several types of Pienza pecorino cheese, ranging from the very fresh to the most mature. All produced by companies in and around Montepulciano.

Traditional Tuscan lunch

This will be followed by a first course, with a choice of the great Italian classics such as Lasagna and Cannelloni; alternatively, if you’re looking for full immersion in Tuscan cuisine, you can choose traditional dishes including delicious Ribollita or exquisite Pappa al Pomodoro.
For visitors who have booked the more comprehensive experience, a second course will also be served, with a choice of roast Pork or Beef accompanied by new potatoes, braised wild boar (when available) or chicken with vegetables.

Nobile di Montepulciano

There are four wines to sample, and each one is unique. These are wines of great character and bold, rich flavour.
The first three are Nobili di Montepulciano DOCG wines, made with Sangiovese grapes but with different ageing techniques, ranging from simple and harmonious to more complex and structured. These wines are the perfect accompaniment for meat-based first and main courses such as game and braised meats.
The fourth and final wine is a Super Tuscan, considered a kind of “rebel wine.” This wine is made from Merlot grapes, and does not comply with the conventional guidelines. Nevertheless, it is still considered an extremely prestigious niche product. In fact, the ageing and maturation methods used are highly elaborate and lengthy, compared to other wines. And it is precisely this that gives this wine its bold and assertive character.