8 of Our Absolute Favourite Tuscan Wines

There are many ways in which to fall in love with <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/europe/italy/tuscany">Tuscany</a>, not the least of which is through the region’s wonderful wines — or its landscape, its people, its food, and its art.As a globally famous and important wine region, it’s an added bonus that Tuscany is relatively easy to understand, and even their very best wines are fairly easy to source.Here’s a brief rundown on the main things you need to know about Tuscan wines. (Be warned, you will fall in love. But at least this kind of love doesn’t hurt.)<h2>A Brief Introduction to Tuscan Wines</h2>Wine runs deep in Tuscany, woven as it is into the cultural identity of this central <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/europe/italy">Italian</a> region.Agriculture forms the roots of the Tuscan lifestyle, and “the big three” — grapevines, olive trees and wheat — were historically all planted together in the same fields.Medieval poet Dante sang the praises of the white wine Vernaccia of San Gimignano. The Chianti zone was described in legislation dating back to 1716. It was in Tuscany that the first DOC and DOCG zones — setting criteria for quality wines, similar to the French appellation system —&nbsp;were established.

Recent history is perhaps less grandiose. You know those straw-covered Chianti bottles from the old days? That bottle is known as a “fiasco.” It was covered in swamp weed for protection during shipping, due to the unreliable nature of Italian glass.Sadly, those bottles came to represent a cheap and rustic wine that the Chianti identity is still shaking off. But the last few decades have seen a massive surge in quality coming from Italy, and from Tuscany in particular.The Chianti zone was established in 1932, and there are now eight sub-zones: Classico (generally regarded as the best), Rùfina, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colline Pisane, Colli Aretini, Montalbano and Montespertoli.Sangiovese is the main red grape of Tuscany and it appears throughout the region in everything from 100% Sangiovese wines to minor roles, supporting modern-styled wines made of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. (In Chianti, wines must contain at least 70% Sangiovese.)&nbsp;It’s easy to see why this versatile and appealing grape is Italy’s most widely planted. The thin-skinned Sangiovese typically makes wines that are light in colour with bright acidity, red cherry flavours and a nice herbal tone.These are good for drinking young. Aged in oak and made from top-quality plots, Sangiovese-based Chianti Classico Riserva is a serious wine that can age 10 years.The grape blends well with international varieties, especially Merlot and Cab Sauvignon, which achieve wonderful ripeness in the Tuscan sun. These wines have depth, roundness and warmth.

Recent history — say, the past 50 years or so — has seen the rise of the so-called Super Tuscans.No doubt the names Sassicaia and Tignanello are familiar, as they are the trailblazers of a quality revolution that began in the 1960s among a few bold visionaries.Bucking the strict rules imposed by Italian wine authorities, these winemakers sought to create more modern wines that would appeal to a global palate.The popularity of these wines has helped lead a quality revolution in Tuscany. These wines are generally categorized as IGT — Indicazione Geografica Tipica — a relatively new classification introduced in 1992.One of Italy’s most profound wines, Brunello di Montalcino, has a legacy dating back centuries.The style of wine — big, age-worthy wines made with 100% Sangiovese from a special clone — is credited to Biondi-Santi, and these wines are among the most famous in the region. Rosso di Montalcino is the junior version of this wine, also 100% Sangiovese.Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, is produced in several communes to the east of Montalcino, with 70% Sangiovese. These wines are delightful for easy drinking, softer and less rigid than the wines of Chianti and Brunello.White wine plays a minor role in Tuscany, with grapes such as the native Vermentino, along with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Moscadello (Moscato Bianco) is used to make a sweet wine in still and sparkling styles.

<h3>8 Of Our Favourite Tuscan Wines</h3><h4><a href="http://www.tenutasanguido.com/eng/sassicaia.html">Sassicaia 2015</a></h4>The first Super Tuscan wine, made predominantly with Cabernet Sauvignon, paved the way for an explosion of modern-style blended wines after exploding onto the scene in 1968.The wines are now classified as DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia.<h4><a href="https://www.antinori.it/en/vino/tignanello-en/?wineyear=2015">Tignanello 2015</a></h4>This was the first modern Italian red wine to be blended with non-traditional grapes, propelling growth in the Super Tuscan genre when it was released in 1975. It's a blend of mostly Sangiovese, with some Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The Antinori family has been in the wine business for six centuries.<h4><a href="http://www.ornellaia.com/en/wines/ornellaia/">Ornellaia 2014</a></h4>Also from the Antinori family, Ornellaia is the result of new plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in 1981, with the first vintage hitting the market in 1985. Ornellaia is styled after the wines of Bordeaux and made for ageing.<h4><a href="https://www.poderiboscarelli.com/prodotto/il-nocio-d-o-c-g-750/">Boscarelli Il Nocio 2016</a></h4>Incredibly bold and tannic, this 100% Sangiovese has tantalizing notes of cherry, plum and blueberry at first sip, which evolves into earthy tones of tobacco, oak and balsamic for an austere finish.This wine offers an intense yet delightful sharpness that’s best paired with red meat, poultry or game.<h4><a href="https://www.internationalwinereport.com/latest-reports/5332-2011-biondi-santi-brunello-di-montalcino-2011">Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino 2011</a></h4>These wines are 100% Sangiovese from a special clone of the grape known as Brunello, which was identified by Ferruccio Biondi Santi in the late 1800s. The 1955 vintage was named one of 12 wines of the century by Wine Spectator magazine.<h4><a href="https://www.fontodi.com/Flaccianello.html">Flaccianello della Pieve 2006</a></h4>One of the best producers in the Chianti Classico region, Fontodi is nestled in a coveted location that receives the perfect amount of sun exposure thanks to its amphitheatre-shaped valley.This is made with 100% Sangiovese, one of Italy’s most desired red grape varieties. Its velvety texture and enticing scents of blackberry, plum and sweet cherry blend perfectly with its earthy undertones of sweet anise, toasty oak and olive tapenade for a medium to full-bodied flavour.<h4><a href="http://www.tenutedelcerro.it/fattoria-del-cerro">Fattoria Del Cerro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2014</a></h4>Easy drinking but quite complex for the price, this wine is made with 90% Sangiovese, known locally as Prugnolo Gentile, and 10% Mammolo, a somewhat obscure grape whose name means “violets.”<h3><a href="https://en.frescobaldi.com/wines/montesodi/">Castello di Nipozzano Montesodi 2012</a></h3>From the Frescobaldi family, leaders in the Chianti region for 700 years, with six estates in Tuscany, this wine is 100% Sangiovese.&nbsp;Know what pairs well with each of these wines? Days on the bike, or on the trail, flowing past vineyards, under the Tuscan sun. From our <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/small-group/super-tuscan-biking">Super Tuscan Biking</a> and <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/small-group/tuscany-wine-country-biking">Tuscany Wine Country Biking</a>, to <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/small-group/tuscany-umbria-walking">Tuscany &amp; Umbria Walking</a> or <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/small-group/tuscany-wine-country-womens-multi-active">Tuscany Wine Country Women's Multi-Active</a>, we have a trip to suit every taste.&nbsp;

Discover eight exceptional Tuscan wines—from Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico to Super Tuscans and Vernaccia—celebrating the diversity of Tuscany’s wine regions.

8 Superb Tuscan Wines You’ll Love | Best Wines from Tuscany

Discover Tuscany

We come here for the same reasons Shelley, Stendhal and Twain did. To behold the astonishing light, breathtaking views and learn the secrets of a life well-lived. Passing vines tended by generations of winemakers and savouring traditional cuisine made from the freshest and tastiest local ingredients, this is the region you imagine when you think of Italy. Home to olive groves and cypress trees, Roman battlefields and Renaissance churches, and a who’s who of charming villages. It can’t help but capture your soul.

A journey through Tuscan art, wine and scenic landscapes

Cycle Val d'Orcia and Chianti, walk hill towns on small group or private bespoke trips through Tuscany, with private estate stays and cellar access.

Tuscany Bike & Walking Tours | Butterfield & Robinson

Explore Pienza and Siena with Carlo, a Tuscan native, and expand your palate with local wine-maker Elisabetta. From tiny Montefollonico to lordly Montepulciano, Tuscany embodies the good life. Revel in a cyclist’s paradise as our friends reveal its many charms.B&amp;R Experience Designer Courtney Mundy has been named a Top Travel Specialist by Condé Nast Traveler.

Incredible Rides

Exclusive Access

Authentic Food

Tuscany’s calling—and this self-guided spin lets you answer at your own pace. Cycle past cypress-lined hills to storybook towns like Pienza and Montepulciano, sip from sun-soaked vineyards, and feast at trattorie that know their way around a wild boar ragu. With local tips for living la dolce vita, Tuscany never felt so personal.

Your pace, our routes, Italy's pleasures

The itinerary below is a sample and is subject to slight changes in routes, accommodations and activities. Please download the itinerary for your selected departure for precise details.

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$6,395 based on two travellers. $5,995 based on four travellers. $5,795 based on six travellers.

Ride from Pienza to Siena on a tailor-made Tuscany cycling itinerary. Chianti estate access, hilltop town stops and a converted Tuscan monastery as your base.

Tuscany Cycling Tours: Pienza to Siena, Chianti & a Monastery Stay

Our Super Tuscan has been finely crafted for the traveller who delights in truly exquisite accommodation, exceptional wine and wants to suss out the idyllic countryside through a well-structured blend of activity—pedalling past hilltop hamlets, ambling among vines tended by generations of winemakers and (optionally!) rising to salute the famous Tuscan sun on a yoga mat. In between, you’ll savour traditional cuisine made from the freshest ingredients. It’s a robust build. Fancy a taste?B&amp;R Experience Designer Courtney Mundy has been named a Top Travel Specialist by Condé Nast Traveler.

One-of-a-kind Hotels

Local Wines

Think of this as the Super Tuscan of trips—bold, balanced, and built to impress. Pedal through olive groves and hilltop hamlets, sip with winemakers whose vines have stories to tell, and savour meals so fresh they practically introduce themselves. With luxe stays and medieval magic around every bend, this ride goes down very, very smoothly.

Embodying the finest of the region

Feel the rhythm of Tuscany

Featured stays

Haven't found the perfect itinerary yet? No journey should be one-size-fits-all. With our bespoke trip planning, you have the freedom to curate a travel experience that fits your unique interests and desires.

Our Super Tuscan has been finely crafted for the traveller who delights in truly exquisite accommodation, exceptional wine and wants to suss out the idyllic countryside through a well-structured blend of activity—pedaling past hilltop hamlets, ambling among vines tended by generations of winemakers and (optionally!) rising to salute the famous Tuscan sun on a yoga mat. In between you’ll savour traditional cuisine made from the freshest ingredients. It’s a robust build. Fancy a taste?

Spend 5 nights cycling Chianti Classico in a small group. Estate tastings, truffle hunts and a converted Tuscan monastery — the Super Tuscans, on two wheels.

Super Tuscan Bike Tour: Chianti Classico Estates & a Converted Monastery

Certain things can’t be compromised, like sublime hotels, unique walking routes, delightful dining experiences and exclusive tastings. Schedules? Those you can bend to your will. Tour around Cortona with local gem Giovanni for an entertaining history lesson, taste wine at La Bandita Townhouse and simply relax in the piazza when the mood strikes—the choice is always yours.B&amp;R Experience Designer Courtney Mundy has been named a Top Travel Specialist by Condé Nast Traveler.

UNESCO Site

Historic Sites

In Tuscany, the only thing even remotely rigid is the pasta al dente. Wander at your own pace from Cortona’s cobbled streets with our storytelling friend to sipping wine at La Bandita Townhouse. Skip the schedule, linger in the piazza, and live like the Tuscans do—indulgently, emphatically and gloriously free of stress.

Stroll through Tuscan splendour

Walk from Pienza to Cortona through the Val d'Orcia on a tailor-made itinerary. Truffle trails, medieval hill towns and Tuscan tables most visitors miss.

Tuscany Walking Tours: Pienza, Cortona & Val d'Orcia on Your Terms

Savour a feast prepared by our local friends—and enjoy it in their backyard. Take in the evening energy of Siena and join in the laughter radiating from the piazza. Dine under the stars, at a winery, on a meal prepared by our private chef. We don't just visit Tuscany—we bring its story to life.Please note the hotel lineup for 2024:May 5th: Villa di Piazzano, Grand Hotel Continental, Pieve AldinaFor all other departures: Villa di Piazzano, Grand Hotel Continental, Le FontanelleFor information about the hotels assigned to your departure, kindly contact your Travel Advisor. You can also download the detailed itinerary to view the complete hotel lineup.

Exceptional Wines 

Tuscany was made for two wheels. From the vine-striped ridgelines of Chianti Classico to the chalk-pale crete approaching Siena, then south through Montepulciano's hilltop streets and on into Umbria — this is the long version of Tuscany, the one they left out of the guidebook. Ride with friends who have been making biodynamic wine in these valleys for generations. Stay at COMO Castello Del Nero and Villa di Piazzano. Sit down to dinners that happened to be exactly what you'd order if you knew. This is where the word dolce actually means something.

Explore Italy's most exalted region

Savour a feast prepared by our local friends—and enjoyed in their backyard. Take in the evening energy of Sienna and join in the laughter radiating from the piazza. Dine under the stars, at a winery, on a meal prepared by our private chef. We don't just visit Tuscany—we bring its story to life.

Spend 5 nights biking Tuscany's estate-lined hills in a small group. Chianti direct from the cellar, private villa access and routes no map puts you on.

Tuscany Bike Tour: Private Hilltop Estates, Chianti & Cypress Roads

Savour a feast prepared by our local friends—and enjoyed in their backyard. Take in the evening energy of Sienna and join in the laughter radiating from the piazza. Dine under the stars, at a winery, on a meal prepared by our private chef. We don't just visit Tuscany—we bring its story to life.



Iconic Italy

In a verdant land of stone villages, sunlit vineyards and landscapes that beg you to slow down, pedal past cypress-lined lanes, sip Chianti where it’s born and wander Renaissance cities that never lost their magic. From Florence’s masterpieces to Pienza’s perfect pace, this is a region built for lingering—and for living very, very well.

Bike from Florence into Chianti's vineyards on a tailor-made Tuscany itinerary. Private estate visits, truffle hunts and Tuscan tables that reward those who

Tuscany Private Tours: Florence to Chianti, Private Estates & Truffle Hunts

While we’ve been travelling to Tuscany for decades, this is the first release in our challenging trip series. We’ve paired famous race trails with the&nbsp;crème de la crème&nbsp;of gravel bikes. The payoff is not just the challenge of riding along gravel with heart-pounding ascents and thrilling descents, but also the unbelievable places it takes you.

In Tuscany and Umbria, slow down to a gentle pace of life and wander from golden-hued horizons to lush, verdant lands. Your journey begins tracing the hills of Montepulciano and Val d’Orcia, travelling along age-old routes that were carved into the landscape step by step. Pass vines tended by generations of winemakers and travel through Pienza, a picturesque Renaissance town. In Umbria, indulge in local cuisine and crostata made with our friend Agnieska, and spend a day exploring&nbsp;endless olive groves, flowering meadows and forests. At the end of each day, spend time relaxing at your beautiful hotels—from the brand-new Casa Newton to Monastero di Cortona, a converted monastery, and Hotel Castello di Reschio, a thousand-year-old castle.

Great Walks

Walk your way through Tuscany and Umbria, where every trail feels like a love letter to slowing down. Trace ancient paths through Montepulciano and Val d’Orcia, bake crostata with our friend Agnieska, and wander olive groves that roll on forever. With castle stays, Renaissance towns, and a thousand golden horizons, this is Italy at its most soul-soothing.

From the Golden Land to the Green Heart 

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Spend 5 nights hiking between Cortona and Umbria's green valleys in a small group. Truffle-hunter trails, hilltop medieval towns and a converted monastery as

Tuscany & Umbria Walking Tour: Cortona, Truffle Trails & a Monastery

B&amp;R’s Women’s Only trips are designed by women, for women to experience new regions, cultures and communities from female perspectives. Venture straight to the heart of Italy through the regions of Tuscany and Umbria, laden with history, cuisine and natural beauty. Wander on foot and by bike through the Tuscan landscape across fields of wheat, rolling emerald hills, stretches of sunflowers and sun-drenched vineyards&nbsp;connecting from one picturesque village to the next. Immerse yourself in your peaceful surroundings with&nbsp;morning yoga and step into our friend Margot’s estate to savour exquisite wines. Cross into Umbria via shady wooded paths and hills blanketed in wildflowers to your hands-on&nbsp;crostata&nbsp;cooking class. Retreat to Reschio, Italy’s finest hotel, and explore its enchanting grounds before dining in the castle. By the end of this journey, you’ll feel a deep connection to this serene and magical corner of Italy.

Local Connections

Luxurious Stays

Active Adventure

Cycle, stretch, sip, repeat—this is Italy at its most rejuvenating, reinvigoratinng and remarkable. Pedal through sunflower fields, wander wildflower trails, and find your flow with morning yoga. Bake crostata in the hills, toast fine wines at Margot’s estate, and retreat to dreamy Reschio, one of Italy's best hotels. It’s a multi-active escape with just the right dose of magic (and vino).

Wander through the idyllic countryside

Tuscany & Umbria Women's Multi-Active | Butterfield & Robinson

Authentic Cuisine

Tuscany is where vineyard-laced hills meet timeless towns and every meal tells a story. Ride through Chianti’s golden landscapes, walk through vineyards guided by passionate female winemakers, and linger over long lunches with women who’ve perfected the art of Italian hospitality. From homemade pizza in the vines to private tastings in storied cellars, this is Italy at its most soulful.

Spend 5 nights biking and hiking Val d'Orcia in a small women's group. Cypress hill roads, private farmhouse access and a Tuscany that rewards those who go

8 of Our Absolute Favourite Tuscan Wines

By Courtney Mundy

Tuscany

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