Picture yourself in la bella Firenze (beautiful Florence)—a confident Italian speaker, tanned by the sun, and surrounded by art. To make it even more perfect, don’t forget about the wine in your hand! This province hosts some of the best wineries in Tuscany, and renting a car to visit them while you explore the countryside is a must-do. Alternatively, you might prefer to book a wine tour from Florence and meet fellow travelers who enjoy vino as much as you do!
From castles to medieval courtyards, our guide to the 10 best wine-tasting destinations in Tuscany will take the guesswork out of your trip. Then you can enjoy using the Rosetta Stone app to hear stories by native speakers as you improve your Italian language skills. Meanwhile, let’s dive into the best wineries to visit near Florence so you can say, Potrei avere un calice di vino, per favore? (Can I please have a glass of wine?).
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How to visit the best wineries in Tuscany
It’s hard to choose only 10 of the best wineries near Florence, Italy. There are plenty of incredible places to taste wine on the rolling green hills that look like a picture book. But we have picked the really excellent vineyards—all within just a 90-minute drive from Florence.
While public transportation is convenient for day trips from Florence to nearby cities, we highly recommend renting a car to explore the Tuscany countryside. Also, advance booking is required to participate in the tours, but they are all worth a little planning ahead. And the big pro: Many vineyards also feature charming outdoor restaurants and guesthouses, perfect for extending your stay.
Antinori nel Chianti Classico
Price: $$
Location of the winery: San Casciano Val di Pesa, about a 30-minute drive from Florence
Location of Palazzo Antinori: Piazza degli Antinori, 3, Florence
Antinori has a place on every list of the best wineries in Tuscany. The Antinori family has been making wine since the late 1300s and owns many wineries. But this one is probably the most popular because it’s stunning, surrounded by endless vineyards, and has mesmerizing modern architecture. In fact, it was awarded the World’s Best Vineyards in 2022, so if you are a connoisseur and want to try unique tastings, this is the place to go.
They offer three tours. One includes lunch at the beautiful rooftop restaurant, which is excellent for enjoying seasonal local products and has a panoramic view of the hillsides. You can also request a customized private tour.
Things to know: Don’t have time to visit this winery? Uncork their bottles in Florence! The family’s Palazzo Antinori is one of the city’s most beautiful Renaissance palaces. The ground floor houses a wine shop where you can taste and buy selected and rare wines.
@lifewithmelrosa Sip, savor, and swoon at Castello Verrazano!
♬ landscape with a fairy by aspidistrafly – ♡ noeThis gem near Florence is a wine lover’s paradise. Picture yourself wandering through sun-drenched vineyards, tasting exquisite Chianti, and soaking in those Tuscan views.
Castello di Verrazzano
Price: $$
Location Castello: Greve in Chianti, about a 30-minute drive from Florence
Location Cantinetta: Via dei Tavolini, 18 Rosso, Firenze
Many believe that the town of Greve di Chianti hosts some of the best vineyards in Tuscany. This 570-acre estate is one of them. It has remained unchanged for more than 1,000 years, producing the area’s typical red grapes and delicate whites.
Also, it’s not every day you get to taste wines in a real Tuscan castle! Choose one of its six organized tours, from the basic wine tasting to experiences with lunch, dinner, or the traditional pranzo della domenica (Sunday lunch). All tours include access to the stunning 16th-century cellars and the Renaissance gardens. Enjoy your road trip to the fullest by spending the night at the holiday farm, the ancient castle guesthouse.
Things to know: In Florence, the same owners manage La Cantinetta dei Verrazzano, a traditional Italian bottega (like a delicatessen store where you can eat) where you’ll find their wines paired with traditional recipes and meat from the countryside.
>> Complete your list of the best restaurants in Florence to enjoy the best Tuscan food and wine!
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Casa Emma
Price: $$
Location: Barberino Tavarnelle, about a 40-minute drive from Florence
Casa Emma is a fantastic destination if you are looking for a quiet, unpretentious wine tasting near Florence. The estate’s vineyards and botanical park are stunning, and the price-quality ratio is excellent. It’s smaller than many of the big-name wineries you’ll hear about, but sometimes you need a more intimate setting during your travels.
Guided tours start with a one-hour tasting visit, which includes five wines, extra-virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar served with Tuscan bread and cheese. You can also go for the complete tasting experience with lunch or a tagliere (a charcuterie and cheese board with Tuscan bruschetta).
Montefioralle Winery
Price: $
Location: Greve in Chianti, about a 30-minute drive from Florence
This is your chance to visit the Florentine countryside and support a local small business. This family-run winery produces only 15,000 bottles yearly, including Chianti Classico and Vin Santo.
The guided tour of the winery includes four wine tastings and a little culinary accompaniment. However, if you are in a group of at least four people, you can also book a private tasting experience that includes five historic vintages from 1998 to 2018.
Things to know: The location is beautiful. You’ll love sipping delicious wines under the pergola overlooking the village of Montefioralle.
Fattoria Casa Sola
Price:$
Location: Barberino Tavarnelle, about a 30-minute drive from Florence
Casa Sola is the quintessence of the Tuscan countryside. It’s a cottage nestled among olive groves and vineyards, with walls decorated by climbing ivy—the perfect peaceful paradise. Their winemakers use sustainable and organic techniques throughout all processes. It’s just another good reason to choose one from their five tasting tours.
You cannot stay for the night, but it’s a good midway point if you also plan to visit Siena and San Gimignano. Both destinations are great for a one-day visit and host the best wineries in Tuscany, Italy. Vernaccia di San Geminiano and Brunello di Montalcino are two excellent wines you can taste in the area.
Things to know: They offer organic wine, which can be hard to find sometimes.
>> Find out the best things to do in Florence as you plan your trip to Tuscany!
Castello del Trebbio
Price: $$
Location: Pontassieve, about a 30-minute drive from Florence
Wine excellence and history often go hand in hand. Nowadays, this beautiful castle is part of the farm and promotes agritourism, but in 1478 the famous Congiura dei Pazzi (Pazzi Conspiracy) was organized here.
Florence’s history was shaped when the Pazzi family, owners of the castle, planned an assassination attempt against Giuliano and Lorenzo de’ Medici with the pope’s support to curb their rise. The attack triggered a city revolt, ending the Pazzi family and bringing the Medici to power.
Beginning with a tasting in the castle’s medieval cellars, they offer tours of varying levels up to the coveted Vertical Lastricato Tour. This tour is available upon request and accompanied by an enologist.
Things to know: If you are visiting during summer, stay for the night. The estate includes villas for lodging and a refreshing pool to jump into!
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Tenuta di Capezzana
Price: $$
Location: Carmignano, about a 46-minute drive from Florence
One of the oldest estates in Tuscany, Tenuta di Capezzana (also known as Villa di Capezzana) appears in an ancient document related to wine production from 804 A.D.! Production ranges from excellent, affordable wines to the Super Tuscans. Tours and wine-tasting experiences last from 60 to 90 minutes, and they may even include e-bike tours and cooking classes.
If you want to indulge even more in Tuscan flavors, you must try the restaurant with a stunning terrace overlooking the valley. You can also end the night at the B&B or book the villa, which is the ideal option if you want more time at one of the best wineries in Tuscany.
@savandshaf This was by far our favorite activity during the Tuscany leg of our trip. We did a half-day session at the Badia a Coltibuono Cooking School, the very first of its kind in the world. We were able to make over a dozen fresh entrées, tour the abbey and wine estate, and Patrizia was an absolute sweetheart and the most accommodating host. Would absolutely recommend if you want a unique Tuscan experience
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Badia a Coltibuono
Price: $
Location: Gaiole in Chianti, Siena, about 1-hour drive from Florence
The nearby Siena province is a perfect wine destination from Florence. Here you’ll find La Badia (abbey), an ancient 11th-century monastery turned into a farm and enchanting little hotel that produces wines and olive oil. This is another place mentioned in every list of the best vineyards near Florence. You will understand why when you arrive.
The atmosphere here is incomparable. Especially if you decide to spend the night, you will fully savor the romantic aura of the place, with frescoed halls, peaceful cloisters, and a swimming pool. You’ll not be the only one exclaiming: “È bellissimo!” (This is beautiful!). The wine tasting and guided tours range from the basic two wine tastings to full cooking and tasting experiences.
Castello di Brolio or Barone Ricasoli
Price: $$
Location: Gaiole in Chianti, Siena. About 1-hour drive from Florence.
Barone Ricasoli is one of the oldest and best wineries in Tuscany, Italy, dating back to 1141 A.D. The reddish castle is nestled among trees on a hill overlooking their vineyards, just as you’d imagine an ancient winery to look. The noble Ricasole family is considered a pioneer in producing Chianti Classico and continues to innovate with new labels.
They are devoted to sharing their passion and organize many tours and wine tastings, including visits to the stunning Brolio Castle, family experiences, winery tours, and sunset tastings. It also has an osteria where you can book a table and taste seasonal menus, plus there are charming farmhouses where you can spend the night.
Castello di Ama
Price: $$$
Location: Gaiole in Chianti, Siena, about a 75-minute drive from Florence
Also located in Gaiole in Chianti, the Castello di Ama watches over the rolling Sienese hills and extraordinary sunsets over the vineyards. This place looks like a village fixed in time. All guided tours begin with a passeggiata (a slow walk) in the borgo (village) to learn about its history and wine production. Of course, the tours end with a wine tasting, which differs depending on your chosen route.
If you prefer to combine the tasting with a more substantial menu, Ristoro del Castello offers guided tastings with three- and four-course menus. And you can spend the night in one of the five elegant suites in the 18th-century manor house. Each has a view over the vineyards. Can you imagine how special it will be to wake up there?
The best wines to taste on your Tuscany wine tours
If you visit even one of these wineries near Florence, Italy, you’ll truly understand why Tuscany is a wine lover’s paradise. Many of the finest Italian wines are from the region, including 11 of the 77 denominazione di origine controllata e garantita (DOCG) wines. This is important since the DOCG is the standard of recognition for wines with exceptional merit that comply with rigorous standards. The goal is to ensure that customers know they are enjoying the highest quality of wine. Four wines will consistently stand out during wine tastings in Florence or the surrounding countryside.
Chianti DOCG
This traditional wine is from the areas of Florence, Arezzo, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, and Siena. Chianti DOCG is the union of four grape varieties: Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero, Trebbiano Toscano, and Malvasia del Chianti.
Chianti Classico DOCG
Chianti Classico is produced in the municipalities mentioned in our list: Greve, Radda, Castellina, and Gaiole. It is mainly composed of Sangiovese grapes (at least 80%).
Vin Santo
The traditional sweet Italian wine to pair with pastries is a combination of the white grapes Malvasia and Trebbiano. In some cases, a percentage of Sangiovese is added to create a rosé variation. It is usually paired with cantuccini (very crisp Tuscan cookies with chunks of almonds) and the combination is delicious.
Super Tuscans
The peculiar name Super Tuscans brings together wines that don’t follow the restrictive rules on the composition of Italian wines. The profile was created in the 1960s by mixing grapes native to the region with typical varieties from other geographical areas, for example, blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese or making 100% Merlot.
Since they did not comply with the usual standards, these fine wines were downgraded to vino da Tavola (meaning table wines, which are usually the lowest quality wines). However, wine experts’ recognition completely changed the scenario, making the Super Tuscans extremely popular and highly rated. You can taste them at some of the wineries on our list.
Adding exciting stops to the most iconic wineries around Florence will help you deep-dive into Italian culture and its flavors in the most exciting way. And if you want a little extra help feeling confident speaking Italian, try Rosetta Stone Live Lesson. It’s a great way to bond with native speakers and practice the language in real-life situations.
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