Montepulciano is a great choice for travelers who want to get off the main tourist trail. The town sits on a ridge in southeastern Tuscany, about an hour from Siena and Arezzo. It’s less crowded than the Chianti area, but many wine lovers find it even more interesting.
Montepulciano is known for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a famous red wine made from Sangiovese grapes grown on the nearby hills. With its medieval streets, underground wine cellars, and beautiful views of the Val d’Orcia, it’s one of the best places in Tuscany for a day trip or an overnight stay.
Here’s how to make the most of your wine tour.
What Makes Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Special
Before we get into the details, it helps to know a bit of background. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of Italy’s oldest named wines, with references going back to the 8th century. It received DOCG status, the highest level in Italian wine law, in 1980. The wine is made mostly from Prugnolo Gentile, a local variety of Sangiovese, and is known for its earthy flavors, firm tannins, and aging potential.
People often compare it to Brunello di Montalcino, which is made nearby, but Vino Nobile is usually easier to enjoy when it’s young and is more affordable. A bottle that costs $60–$80 in the US can often be tasted at the winery for much less. That’s a great reason to visit.
How Wine Tours Work in Montepulciano
Montepulciano’s wine tours feel more personal than in some other regions. Most top wineries are family-run, and many welcome visitors without a formal booking. Still, it’s a good idea to call ahead or reserve online, especially during spring and fall.
A typical visit includes a tour of the cellar or vineyard, tasting three to five wines (often including Rosso di Montepulciano, the younger version of Vino Nobile), and a chance to buy bottles at good prices. Visits usually last about 60 to 90 minutes.
In the town center, several producers have historic cantine, or underground cellars, carved into the tufa rock underneath the old streets. These cellars are some of the most atmospheric tasting rooms in Italy, and just walking down into one from the main street is a memorable experience.
Top Producers to Visit
Boscarelli is one of the most respected wineries in Montepulciano and sets a high standard for the region. It’s family-run, and English-speaking staff are available for tours. The wines, especially the single-vineyard Nocio dei Boscarelli, are some of the best examples of Vino Nobile. Visits are by appointment and feel relaxed and personal. If you can only visit one winery, make it this one.
Avignonesi is a larger estate with a beautiful property and a well-planned visitor experience. It’s known for its Vino Nobile and for Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice, a famous Italian dessert wine made from Prugnolo Gentile grapes and aged for years in small barrels. Avignonesi offers structured tours and tastings that are great for visitors new to Italian wine. The estate also focuses on sustainability, and the vineyard views are stunning.
Poliziano is another top producer known for making consistently good wines. The estate is named after the Renaissance poet Poliziano, who was born in Montepulciano. The wines combine tradition and refinement, and tours here give you a clear look at how Vino Nobile is made from vine to bottle.
De’ Ricci has one of the most impressive underground cellars in the town center, a maze-like space beneath the main street that’s centuries old. It’s a great choice if you want to combine a walk in town with a tasting, without needing to drive to a winery. The wines are good, and the setting is truly memorable.
Contucci is another historic cellar in the center of town, located in the basement of the family’s palazzo on the main square. The Contucci family has made wine here since the 15th century, and visiting feels as if stepping back in time. You’ll taste wine in a real working cellar that hasn’t been set up just for photos, which is a nice change.
How to Book From the US
For bigger wineries like Avignonesi and Poliziano, booking on their websites is easy. Most have English-language booking systems and offer different tour and tasting options at various prices. Standard visits and tastings usually cost $25–$50 per person, while private tours with food pairings range from $60–$120.
For smaller family producers like Boscarelli, email is often the most reliable booking method. A simple note in English explaining who you are, how many people are in your group, and when you’d like to visit will almost always receive a warm reply. Book at least two to three weeks ahead in spring and fall; a week ahead is usually sufficient in winter and early spring.
If you’d prefer to have someone else coordinate the logistics, several tour operators offer guided wine experiences in Montepulciano from Florence or Siena. These typically run $80–$150 per person for a half-day and include transport, which is worth considering if you’d rather not drive or want to drink freely without worrying about getting back. The downside is less flexibility and a faster pace than going independently.
Helpful Tips for Your Visit
Bring a cooler bag or ask your hotel to store your bottles. You’ll probably want to buy wine, since cellar-door prices are very good and many producers sell wines you can’t find in the US. A soft cooler bag fits easily in your luggage and will keep your bottles safe on the way back.
Try to visit during the harvest. September and October are the most atmospheric months, with grapes on the vine or being picked, cellars filled with amazing smells, and some estates offering harvest experiences. Book well in advance if you want to visit at this time.
Combine your visit with a drive through the Val d'Orcia. Montepulciano is at the northern edge of this beautiful region, which has some of the best roads in Europe. After your wine tastings, drive south toward Pienza and Montalcino. The road through the Crete Senesi is worth taking, even if you don’t stop along the way.
Be sure to explore the town itself. While the wine is the main attraction, Montepulciano’s hilltop old town, with the Piazza Grande, the Duomo, and views from the town walls, is worth at least an hour of wandering before or after your winery visits. It’s one of Tuscany’s less-touristy hill towns and has a quiet, authentic feel that many famous spots have lost.
Montepulciano is especially rewarding for travelers who plan ahead. Learn a bit about Vino Nobile, book visits at one or two wineries, and leave time in your afternoon for a scenic drive through the Val d’Orcia. This is truly one of the best experiences Tuscany has to offer.
