The Chianti wine region in glorious Italy is world famous for the robust red wine produced here. The distinctive bottle with its traditionally rotund, straw skirted is a hallmark of this well-known drink and one of the aesthetic things that set the wine apart from its competition. The Chianti region itself is, of course, replete with famous wineries and a number of under-the-radar gems that no wine-lover should miss out on. It’s a tall order, but planning an inclusive and comprehensive exploration of Chianti wine country is definitely a doable task if you have all the right information. Stick with us, and we’ll help you plan the most exciting, entertaining, and enriching Chianti wine tour you can.

Things To Know

This part of the Italian wine country spreads over a few provinces: Tuscany, Florence, and Sienna, to be specific. The different provinces produce distinctly different tasting wines, so have a thorough understanding of what grows and is produced before you embark on the trip to avoid disappointments and unwelcome surprises. This has been a wine region since the 9th century BC, so there is a lot of history to immerse yourself in and experience — budget extra time for sightseeing after vineyard visits.

The region is a nature lover’s or photographer’s paradise. The landscapes are verdant, with rolling green hills covered in vines or olive trees, quaint and charming stone villages, and blue skies as far as the eye can see in the summer. Be prepared for a lot of heat during the high summer — pack accordingly.

You’ll be doing a fair amount of road travel over the course of your trip, so we recommend treating yourself to a truly luxurious flight experience on your way into the region. Booking a luxury plane charter to get to your starting destination is a feasible and very comfortable way to land in Italy—we highly recommend it.

The Perfect Chianti Wine Region Tour

There are a number of wineries in Chianti that are unmissable if you’re aiming to understand the wine-making process, experience the best Chiantis produced anywhere on earth, and get a dose of truly exquisite Italian scenery. 

Tenuta Sette Ponti

Tuscany, Castiglion Fibocchi

The beauty of this winery, both during daylight and as the sun sets behind the hills, cannot be overstated. Tall, pointed trees line the drive and the fences, the hills are blanketed in verdant green vines, and the winery itself is as pretty as a picture in classic Tuscan stone. Here, business meets philosophy and generations-old wine-making techniques that respect the earth and the drinker. You’ll get a deep understanding of the ethos and philosophies that come along with wine-making in this region here, so prepare yourselves for a big mental download of information.

Fattoria San Michele a Torri

Tuscany, Scandicci

In the very heart of Chianti, just 15 minutes outside of the city of Florence, lies Fattoria San Michele. This winery derives its name from the village it calls home. The panorama of Tuscan hills you get to see from the grounds is truly incredible. From one spot, you can admire vineyards, olive groves, and deep woods that blanket the area. Each cm of this gorgeous wine farm is used for sustainable and ethical farming, from the vineyards themselves to olives and breeding Cinta Senese pigs, so there’s a lot to explore. San Michele a Torri thrives on traditional agriculture and places a lot of emphasis on earth-safe crop rotation throughout the year.

Lornano Chianti Classico

On the border between Castellina and Monteriggioni

Like most of the wineries in the region, this is a historic family-run (since 1904) business. Boutique in its size and approach to winemaking, Lornano Chianti Classico has stood since the 15th century, with most of its current structure dating back to the 18th century. Sustainability is key here, and the winery is certified as fully sustainable. Both human health and environmental health are very important to this business, and they focus heavily on things like biodiversity, water conservation, minimum sulfites, renewable energy created by a photovoltaic system, and safeguarding the woods that surround the property. The 51-acre property sits at an average of 350 m above sea level, and the blend of sandstone, silt, clay, marine sediments, and calcareous earth offers an incredibly high mineral content. This level of minerals makes the grapes and their flavor a one-of-a-kind experience.

Cantinetta Antinori

Florence

The Florentine architecture you’ll get to feast your eyes on at Cantinetta Antinori is second to none. You don’t get the full outdoor winery experience here, but you do get to spend time in an exquisite palazzo, and that’s a plus. The wines here, crafted by the Antinori family since they joined the winemakers guild in 1385, are a special blend and enriched by the wisdom of 26 generations of wine-making family traditions. There are guided tours of the building available, as well as tastings and a sumptuous Florentine menu to enjoy.

Rocca di Castagnoli Estate

Castagnoli, Gaiole, Chianti

An imposing medieval fortress greets you when you make your way across the property and to the gates of this historically noble winery. Owned by a number of noble families over the years, the winery has never failed to flourish and provide visitors with the best of the best. Since the 18th century, this winery has been an economic center for the area and has been praised by everyone from commoners to Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo himself. Innovation, restoration, and maintenance are key to the operation and success of this beautiful winery. Of the 850 hectares on the property, 92 hectares are covered wind vineyards — predominantly Sangiovese grapes. The rich soils give these grapes a strong and unique flavor that you’ll never forget.

Experience Chianti

All of the wines, grape varieties, scenic vistas, gorgeous buildings, and wonderful people of the Chianti wine region make for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Wherever you start and wherever you end, you can rest assured that these wineries are the best of the best.

 

Feature Photo by Matej Drha on Unsplash