Ultimate Guide to Tuscany: Must Visit Wineries, Restaurants, and Hotels

 

Located in central Italy, Tuscany is globally recognized for its world-class wines, picturesque rolling hills, and indulgent cuisine. It’s a must-visit for any oenophile, foodie, or history buff.

This Tuscany travel guide includes an overview of the wines produced here, best wineries to visit, where to stay, and where to eat when you visit one of Italy’s most famous wine regions. I’ve also included a map with all winery locations pinned, so you can save this for easy navigation on your next trip to Tuscany.

By the way, I’ve partnered with two incredible Italian women to curate private tours in and around Florence, Tuscany, and Rome. From food tours and wine tasting in the city, to Chianti vineyard day trips and farm cooking classes, there’s something for everyone. Check out our expertly curated food and wine lover tours here.

tuscany italy travel guide

Ultimate Guide to Tuscany: Must Visit Wineries, Restaurants, and Hotels

If Tuscany is not on your bucket list yet, this post will inspire you to plan the most unforgettable getaway in the heart of Italian wine country. From sipping local wine while overlooking the rolling hills of the Val d’Orcia to strolling the cobblestoned streets of the medieval towns throughout the region, Tuscany is the ultimate destination for any wine lover.

Dive into this guide to the best wineries, wine tasting experiences, restaurants, and hotels for your next Tuscan vacation.

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Tuscany Wine Region Overview

Tuscany is divided into 58 appellations, including 11 DOCGs and 41 DOCs. The remaining areas are classified as IGTs, or table wine, but don’t be fooled, some of the IGT regions of Tuscany produce the top wines of the world (ex: Super Tuscans).

With a warm climate, plenty of sunshine, and little rainfall, Tuscany produces top notch red wines, mostly from the Sangiovese grape. However, due to microclimates and varying traditions of the sub appellations, no two Sangiovese wines taste the same here. 

Some other red grapes grown in Tuscany include native grapes like Canaiolo and Colorino, but these are mostly used to supplement blends made of mainly Sangiovese.

While it's most famous for red wines, Tuscany also produces quality white wines from grapes like Malvasia, Trebbiano Toscano, and Vermentino. The white wines from this region tend to be fuller-bodied with lower acidity, due to the warm climate. 

As you can see, there is quite a variety of Tuscan wine to try, which is why planning a wine tasting trip to the region is the best way to dive into the wine diversity of Italy’s most famous region.

How to get to Tuscany

Tuscany can be reached by car from Florence (about a 1-hour drive) or Rome (about a 2.5-hour drive). There are no trains you can take into the countryside, so I suggest renting a car or booking a tour from Florence that includes transportation.

You can also book a private driver to take you from the city center to the winery you plan to visit, but this tends to be the pricier option. If you are interested in hiring a private driver, I recommend this family-owned business for transportation around Tuscany.

If you plan to stay a few days in Tuscany, I’d suggest renting a car for the duration of your stay, as the wineries are spread apart and you won’t be able to rely on Uber or taxis.

Visiting Tuscany from Florence

Traveling from Tuscany to Florence is an easy day trip, and there are plenty of wine tours offered that include transportation to wine country. 

Check out these wine tasting tours from Florence that I’ve curated for you, including a Chianti vineyard visit, wine tasting in the city, cooking classes, and more.

How to Book A Wine Tasting in Tuscany

If you’re keen to stay away from the planning and just want enjoy your vacation, I’d suggest booking a wine tasting tour. These tours are often day trips from Florence and can include transportation to and from wine country, one-to-two winery visits, and lunch (see above for my recommendations on wine tours from Florence).

If you’d like to book your own wine tasting experiences, you can often book your reservations on the wineries’ websites, or give them a call during opening hours (most wineries in Tuscany will have someone who speaks English that can help you book your reservation).

Below, I’ve listed my favorite wineries in Tuscany, along with their locations, wine tasting prices per person, and links to book your next visit.

Best Wine Tours in Tuscany

If you’re planning to visit Tuscany for a day, you might enjoy this Chianti vineyard visit I’ve put together for you. This wine tasting experience includes private transportation to and from the vineyard with stops at iconic views along the way, a visit to the vineyard grounds, a winery tour, a wine tasting of five wines accompanied with top notch delicacies, and a sampling of the property’s own olive oil. After visiting the vineyard you will explore the adorable town of Greve in Chianti for some free time to explore.

You can also check out these popular wine tasting tours and experiences from Florence.

If you didn’t already know, I host an annual wine tasting trip to Tuscany, where we visit five boutique, family-owned wineries, enjoy historical tours in five unique towns in the region, and end each day with a private-chef-made meal while watching the sunset over Lago Trasimeno. If you’d like more information on our next wine tasting tour in Tuscany in October 2025, please fill out this form to request more information. 

Best Wineries to Visit in Tuscany

If you’re planning a trip to Tuscany, you might be overwhelmed by the amount of stunning wineries to choose from in this region. Below is a list of some of the best wineries to visit in Tuscany, from small family-owned vineyards to the most famous wineries of Italy. 

Querceto di Castellina

Appellation: Castellina in Chianti

Highlights: Quality wines, stunning views, restaurant and hotel on property (they also offer vineyard dinners!)

Tasting Price: €30 per person

Villa Le Corti

Villa Le Corti’s cooking class is hosted in the 16th century castle’s historic kitchen

Appellation: Chianti Classico

Highlights: Historic property, cooking classes, restaurant on property

Tasting Price: €38 per person

Marchesi Antinori

Appellation: Chianti Classico

Highlights: Modern architecture, proximity to Florence, restaurant on property

Tasting Price: €45 per person

Castello di Verrazzano

Appellation: Chianti Classico

Highlights: Historic building, restaurant on property, wine dinners

Tasting Price: €32 per person

Castello La Leccia

Appellation: Castellina in Chianti

Highlights: Organic wines, sweeping views, hotel and restaurant on property

Tasting Price: €30 per person

Fèlsina

Appellation: Chianti Classico

Highlights: Historic property, traditional wines, proximity to Siena, restaurant on property

Tasting Price: €30 per person

Cantine Innocenti

Inside the historic cellar of Cantine Innocenti, hosted in a 13th century building

Appellation: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Highlights: Historic property, traditional wines, family-owned, stunning garden views of Montepulciano

Tasting Price: Contact winery for information

I Viti

Winemaker’s assistants at I Viti winery in Cortona

Appellation: Cortona

Highlights: Family-owned, boutique quality wines, proximity to Cortona

Tasting Price: Contact winery for information

Podere Le Ripi

Stunning views of the hills of Montalcino from Podere Le Ripi’s tasting room

Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino

Highlights: Quality wines, stunning property

Tasting Price: €40 per person

Bindella

Appellation: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Highlights: Amazing art collection, beautiful tasting room

Tasting Price: €25 per person

Tuscany Winery Map

Here’s a map of the best wineries I’ve visited in Tuscany - save this for your next trip!

Best Hotels in Tuscany

From affordable options to luxury vineyard hotels, there are plenty of places to stay in Tuscany. Below are some options for the best hotels to book for your stay in wine country. 

Best Vineyard Hotels in Tuscany

If you’d like to fully immerse yourself in wine country for the ultimate escape, I highly recommend booking one of these beautiful vineyard hotels in the heart of Tuscany. 

Best Restaurants in Tuscany 

Where there’s good wine, there’s good food, and Tuscany is no exception. Tuscan food is often quite rustic, using the freshest ingredients to craft traditional, delectable dishes. While you’re in wine country, I recommend trying the famous Tuscan steak, wild boar ragu, and ribollita (a traditional soup made from day-old bread and vegetables).

Oh, and if you’re visiting in the summertime, anything that involves fresh tomatoes is a must.

Check out these amazing restaurants on your next trip to Tuscany:

FAQ: Wine Tasting in Tuscany

How much do wine tastings cost in Tuscany?

Wine tastings vary in price in Tuscany. Expect to pay around €50 on average per winery visit. You can also book a tour that covers transportation, lunch, and a winery visit for around €150, depending on what the tour includes.

Do you need reservations for wine tasting in Tuscany?

Yes! I always recommend making reservations for wine tastings, no matter what region you plan to visit. Wineries in Tuscany don’t often accept walk-ins, and you’ll have to plan your day according to your bookings, as the wineries can be up to an hour’s drive away from one another. Book your wine tasting reservations online with as much advance notice as you can.

How far is Tuscany wine region from Florence?

Tuscany can be an easy day trip from Florence, with the closest wineries less than an hour’s drive away from the city center. The closest wineries in Tuscany from Florence are located within the Chianti region. 

What is the most beautiful part of Tuscany?

If you ask me, all of Tuscany is postcard-worthy, but many say the Val d’Orcia is the most stunning part of Tuscany, with its rolling hills, picturesque vineyard views, and towering cypress trees.


I hope this Tuscany travel guide is a helpful resource for you in planning your next trip to the heart of Italy’s wine country.

If you found this post helpful, you might also enjoy this one about my top ten tips for planning a wine tasting trip to Tuscany or this one that highlights 8 of the most charming towns to visit on your next trip.

Don’t forget to fill out this form if you’re interested in joining my next Tuscany wine tasting retreat in October 2025, and check out these wine and food tours I’ve put together for you from Florence and Rome.

And if you liked this post, pin it to Pinterest!

 
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