A Guide to The Best Wineries in Tuscany
Tuscany is one of those places that makes you slow down without asking, and nowhere is that more true than in its vineyards. I’ve spent a good amount of time in Tuscany over the years, staying in agriturismi tucked into the Chianti hills, driving the cypress-lined roads of the Val d’Orcia, and enjoying authentic Tuscan cuisine. And of course, with each visit, wine-tasting is an absolute must. These are the wineries I return to, recommend to my friends and family, and find myself daydreaming about.
If you’re planning a trip to Tuscany and want the full picture — the best hotels and villas, things to do, experiences worth booking, and everything you need to know before you go, my Ultimate Guide to Tuscany covers it all in one place.
Castello Brolio
Located in Chianti
If you are going to visit one castle in Tuscany, make it Castello Brolio. Dating back to the 11th century, it is one of the oldest castles in Italy, and the Ricasoli family has called it home since 1141 — nearly nine centuries of the same family, the same land, and an unwavering dedication to the wines it produces. Baron Bettino Ricasoli, who served as Prime Minister of Italy following the country’s unification, developed the Chianti formula here in the 19th century.
Book the Classic Tour: A guided morning at Brolio takes you through the 11th-century castle, the modern winemaking facilities, and the aging cellars, ending with a private tasting of Ricasoli wines. Tours run in English or Italian, meet at 10:15am at the castle ticket office, and are not suitable for children under 12. Add a four-course lunch at the Osteria di Brolio for an additional 60€.
Tenuta Torciano
Located in San Gimignano
Founded in 1720 by Bartolomeo Giachi, Tenuta Torciano is in its thirteenth generation under Pierluigi Giachi, and it runs with the kind of warmth that makes you feel like a guest in a private home rather than a stop on a tour route. That distinction matters enormously when you are traveling through a region that can skew quite polished and formal.
The tastings here tend to be generous in every sense — generous pours, generous food pairings, generous amounts of time spent actually talking about the wine. Tenuta Torciano is the perfect stop to pair with a day in San Gimignano, which is already one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Italy.
Book the Exclusive Barrel Tasting Experience: This private tasting at Tenuta Torciano takes you directly into the cellar to taste wines straight from the barrel — a rare opportunity to experience Tuscan wines before they are bottled. A knowledgeable guide walks you through the full winemaking process, from harvest and fermentation through to aging, while you taste wines at various stages of development and learn to identify fruit notes, tannin structure, and oak influence. The experience is paired with local Tuscan delicacies throughout.
Castello Banfi
Located in Montalcino
Castello Banfi is, by almost any measure, one of the great wine estates in the world. The American-owned estate covers over 7,000 acres in the Montalcino hills, and has been instrumental in bringing Brunello di Montalcino to the attention of a global audience since the late 1970s. It is large, yes, but it does not feel impersonal — the estate is anchored by a medieval castle that houses a wine museum and a genuinely excellent restaurant, and the tasting rooms are beautifully appointed without feeling corporate.
Book the Discovering Excellence Tour: A private guided tour departing at 11:00am from the Enoteca Wine Shop, covering the estate’s balsameria, vineyards, fermentation area, and aging cellars, followed by a tasting of five wines alongside Banfi’s extra virgin olive oils and balsamic dressing. The tour concludes with a four-course lunch paired with four Banfi wines in the estate tavern. The tour is approximately two and a half hours plus lunch, so be sure to plan your day around this visit.
Antinori nel Chianti Classico
Located in Chianti
Antinori nel Chianti Classico is one of the most celebrated wineries in Italy, and the estate itself makes a case for that reputation before you ever taste a drop. The winery, designed by architect Marco Casamonti, was built directly into the hillside so that the landscape remains almost entirely undisturbed from above — from the vines, the building reveals itself gradually, all clean geometric lines and glass set against ancient Tuscan stone.
This is the estate that essentially invented the Super Tuscan category, and Tignanello remains one of the most important bottles Tuscany has ever produced.
Book the Bottaia Tour & Tasting: The tour opens with a short documentary on the Antinori family’s centuries-long history and their role in Florentine society, accompanied by works from the family’s private art collection displayed throughout the itinerary. Guests are guided through the winery’s outdoor and indoor spaces with special access to the production areas, barrique and barrel cellars, and the large cask aging room. The tasting includes four wines and is held either in the suspended glass tasting room or the more intimate bottaia room. Tours last approximately two and a half hours, are conducted in English and Italian, and include other guests. Pricing is €75 per person.
Visit Antinori nel Chianti Classico
Highly-Rated Wine Tastings in Tuscany
For those who prefer to let someone else handle the driving and wine-tasting itinerary, these are the wine tastings I recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks in advance.
