Who wouldn’t want to spend a week in Tuscany? The famous wineries, indulgent Tuscan cuisine, winding roads lined with cypress trees…Italy’s wine country truly feels like the set of a movie.

Located in central Italy, Tuscany is a dream destination for wine lovers and travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure. From sun-drenched vineyards blanketing the rolling hills of the Val d’Orcia to the charming medieval hilltop villages, Tuscany’s rich cultural landscape is an ideal location for an enchanting vacation.

In this blog post, I’m sharing some essential tips to help you make the most of your Tuscan getaway, ensuring you capture the essence of this dreamlike region and create lasting memories along the way. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, these insights will guide you through the best tours and activities to book, where to stay and eat in Tuscany, and practical advice for an authentic Tuscan experience.

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.

Top 10 Tips for Wine Tasting in Tuscany, Italy

As someone who has visited Tuscany a handful of times, I’ve gathered these essential tips from personal experience, so you can trust this advice will help you plan the most unforgettable, stress-free wine tasting trip to Tuscany.

At the end of this guide, I’ve also included a map of some of the best wineries to visit in Tuscany, so you can save it for easy navigation.

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1. BOOK TRANSPORTATION

If you’re planning a wine tasting trip to Tuscany, I highly recommend securing your transportation in advance. The wineries are spread apart and you won’t be able to rely on taxis or Uber, so make sure you hire a driver, or rent a car and have a designated driver in your group.

As someone who likes to enjoy sipping wine and relaxing while in wine country, my preferred method of transportation is to hire a private driver. That way, you can enjoy your vacation, indulge in some Tuscan wine, and avoid having to navigate the winding, narrow roads. If you’d like to make the planning easier, you can also book a wine tasting tour from Florence.

For a private driver, I recommend this family-owned transportation company.

If you prefer to book an organized tour, check out these options for wine tours and day trip vineyard visits around Tuscany:

2. make reservations

When planning a trip to Tuscany, you’ll want to reserve your spots at both wineries and restaurants in advance.

Depending on where you’re used to wine tasting, you might be surprised to find that many wineries in Tuscany don’t accept walk-ins, so be sure to check their websites ahead of time and book your reservations. Planning in advance will also help you schedule each day, as the wineries can be up to an hour’s drive away from each other.

And if you’ve visited Europe before, you might know that many restaurants only offer two seatings for dinner, and once those are booked, walk-ins are basically impossible. Check out the restaurants located in the town you’ll be based in, or select a hotel that has a restaurant on property, so you don’t have to travel far after a full day of wine tasting.

Here are some of my restaurant recommendations for lunch or dinner in Tuscany:

For some of the best vineyards to visit in Tuscany, check out the map I’ve created at the end of this post.

Depending on the time of year you plan to visit, Tuscany can be crowded, so book your wine tastings and dinner reservations with as much advance notice as possible.

3. Don’t overbook

You can expect to spend anywhere from 2-4 hours at any winery stop, so my suggestion is to only book 1-2 wineries maximum per day. Many wineries in Tuscany also offer food, so you can book one wine tasting to coincide with lunch and schedule another visit before or after your meal, depending on how wine-centric you want to make this trip.

My preferred schedule in Tuscany is one winery visit, followed by one small town tour with lunch (and gelato). Then I like to head back to the hotel for some afternoon rest, and later get ready for dinner at a restaurant that’s within walking distance from where I’m staying. Talk about la dolce vita!

4. spend a few nights in wine country

While Tuscany’s stunning wine country can be easily reached from Florence or Siena for a day trip, I recommend spending a few nights in the countryside to enjoy the serene setting and explore the wineries and historic towns at your own leisure.

Many hotels also offer pools with sweeping views of the Tuscan countryside, which is the best way to unwind, in my opinion.

Here are a few vineyard hotels in Tuscany that I’d recommend staying at for a few nights:

5. don’t miss the off-the-beaten-path towns

Siena and Florence are must visits on any Tuscany itinerary, but be sure to stop into a few smaller towns to take in the authentic charm of this Italian region. Well-preserved medieval architecture, winding narrow streets, quaint shops, and unbeatable views are just a few of the reasons to visit the tiny hilltop towns that dot the region.

Check out this post for 8 of the most charming towns to visit in Tuscany.

6. dress comfortably

An authentic visit to a winery in Tuscany often involves a vineyard walk, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. You’ll also want to be in your comfiest tennies for exploring the quaint, cobblestoned villages of the region.

If you’re an athleisure stan, I say, go for it! Tuscany’s wineries can be quite rustic - wineries are farms, afterall. Wear whatever you feel most comfortable in, and don’t worry about getting too dressed up.

My go-to winery outfit often includes a sundress and tennis shoes (again, depending on the time of year you visit, it can be extremely hot here). Check out some of my favorite winery fits here.

7. take a cooking class

A cooking class in Tuscany is one of the best ways to indulge in the local flavors and dive deeper into the history of Tuscan cuisine and wine.

You might think you already know Italian food, but each of the country’s twenty regions offers unique cuisine. Some of Tuscany’s highlights include juicy steaks, wild boar ragu, and of course, fresh pasta and local produce.

My favorite wine and food pairing rule states, “what grows together, goes together”, meaning wines of a specific region will likely pair best with the foods of that region. Enjoying a cooking class is a great way to explore this food and wine pairing rule of thumb, as your class will most definitely be accompanied by Tuscan wines.

This farm cooking lesson is hosted on a small family farm in the countryside and includes a pasta making lesson, local wine, fresh produce from the garden, and transportation to and from Florence. This is a truly authentic Tuscan experience that will create unforgettable memories for you and your travel buddies.

Here are some other amazing options for cooking classes in Tuscany:

8. stay at an agriturismo

Staying at an agriturismo, or farmstay, gives you a true glimpse into Tuscany’s wine country lifestyle. Accommodations range from rustic lodgings to more comfortable setups, and the experience often includes enjoying homegrown produce and feeling immersed in the local landscape.

If you’re like me and looking for a more comfortable option, check out these agriturismi hosted in converted historical buildings that offer organic produce and local wines:

9. BE OPEN MINDED

Italy is home to over 2,000 indigenous grape varieties, so you’ll likely be tasting some wines you’ve never heard of before. Approach each tasting with an open mind and I guarantee you’ll fall in love with the unique wines of Tuscany.

During the tasting, be sure to ask as many questions as you can and soak up the information. If you visit a small vineyard, you’ll likely be tasting with the winemakers or family members themselves, so they’ll have a wealth of knowledge to share with you. Don’t be shy - there are no stupid questions when it comes to wine!

10. SHIP WINE HOME

Some of the wineries you visit may not have distribution in your home country, so if you fall in love with a wine, I recommend shipping a case home. Even if you can find the specific wine in your hometown, the price you’ll get directly from the winery is often a far better deal (especially at the smaller wineries).

Ask the winery you visit if they are able to ship the wine for you (most can, depending on which country you live in), so you don’t have to worry about a broken bottle in your suitcase.

I hope this guide helps you plan an unforgettable wine tasting trip to Tuscany!

If you’re planning a trip to Tuscany, check out my ultimate guide to Italy’s most famous wine region, including the best wineries, hotels, and restaurants.

Ready to embark on an authentic Tuscan wine adventure? Join my next Tuscany Wine Retreat in October 2025! Fill out this form to request more information about our next trip.

Below is a map including some of the best wineries to visit in Tuscany. Make sure you save this for your next trip for easy navigating!

Check out these popular wine tasting excursions and tours in Tuscany:

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