Want to experience the best wineries in Italy? With so many vineyards, and so many wine regions in Italy to choose from, it can be hard to find one that gives you the true taste of La Dolce Vita. We’ve gathered up some of our favorites across Italy’s most famous wine regions to help guide your trip planning.
Wine has always played a significant role in Italy’s culture with evidence of winemaking dating back nearly 4000 years (for reference, Ancient Rome was founded about a millennium later). It not only reflects Italy’s rich agricultural history, but also its vibrant social scene.
In Italy, drinking wine is guided by one simple belief – sharing is caring. Whether you’re splitting a bottle with old friends or new, drinking wine with others is a way to extend an invitation of love, friendship and good memories.
For Italians, wine is not only a reflection of connection to a person, but connection to a place. Italians are proud of their heritage – yes, proud to be Italian, but also proud of the region and town where they grew up – and subsequently, the wine produced there.
This strong sense of place, or terroir, can be found in every bottle of wine and it is thought that even the soil from a specific wine-growing area can impart a unique taste to the wine. Each region is famous for a particular type of wine which is always named after the place where the grapes were from rather than the type of grape itself.
Tuscany
Known for its beautiful, rolling hills, Tuscany is home some of the best vineyards in Italy. Tuscany is known for its distinctive Sangiovese, a red wine grape varietal identified by its strong tannins, moderate acidity, and distinct notes of leather and tobacco (this varietal could be described as the human equivalent of a 1950s grandfather smoking a pipe in his library).
Tenuta Bossi
Just outside of Florence sits the historic Tenuta Bossi, a historic winery belonging to one of the most ancient families in all of Florence, the Gondis. Here, you can explore a stunning, Renaissance-era villa and taste their legendary Chianti Rufina. Chianti Rufina, named after a cool and mountainous subregion of Chianti, is a highly regarded wine that boasts a more elegant character than your typical Chianti and is generally more acidic and floral. And, if wine isn’t your forte, Tenuta Bossi also offers olive oil tastings from their own production.
It’s easiest to get to Tenuta Bossi by car, if you’re renting, but you can also hop on the regional train to Campiobbi and then take a cab for the remaining 15-minute stretch. Either way, it’ll take you 35-40 minutes if you’re departing from the Florence city center.
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Padelletti Winery
Located inside the historic center of Tuscany’s Montalcino lies Padelleti Winery, a family-run vineyard dating back to 1571. A tour of this winery includes visits to the fermentation room and aging room where you can discover how they produce their infamous Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino wines. Tastings happen at the end of the tour in a luscious garden overlooking Val D’Orcia, a stunning valley taking its name from the Orcia River.
Padelletti Winery is located in the town of Montalcino, in Tuscany’s idyllic province of Siena. Known for its scenic streets and impressive fortress, Montalcino is a beautiful place to spend a couple of days enjoying the picturesque views and getting a taste of local customs. If you’re coming from Siena proper, however, remember that it will take approximately an hour by car to drive into the hilly countryside.
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LISTEN: To our podcast on Wines of Southern Tuscany – Brunello di Montalcino and Beyond.
Castello di Ama
Named for the beautiful 12th-century castle in the farming hamlet of Ama in Siena, the winery of Castello di Ama boasts a rich history, stunning pieces of artwork, and of course, highly revered bottles of Chianti Classico. Tours are by appointment only, and while you’re there, don’t forget to check out the estate’s restaurant which serves a multi-course meal alongside their esteemed wines.
While Castello di Ama is located 30 minutes outside of Siena by car, we highly recommend you check out the suites at the winery for an overnight stay in their eighteenth-century manor house.
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Piedmont
Piedmont is a haven for the epicurean-oriented traveler. Containing 8 different provinces, Piedmont is Italy’s second-largest geographic area, and home to some of Italy’s most mouthwatering foods – think truffles, dried fruits and nuts, veal and soft cheese. What better to wash it down with? A glass of wine, of course.
Most famous for the red wines of Barbera, Barbaresco and Barolo, the Nebbiolo grape varietal is the most popular. Nebbiolo is so named because of the fogs that creep into the vineyards during harvest season (“nebia” means fog in Italian). Since Nebbiolo is such a difficult grape to grow, and because of its wines’ longer aging process, these wines are highly valued, with Barolo being known as “The King of Wines.”
LEARN: More in our podcast on Piedmont’s Barolo – King of wines
The grapes produce a wine that is noticeably high in tannins and alcohol, with notes of red berries, herbs and an ever so slightly sour taste. The perfect accompaniment to some of Piedmont’s classic dishes.
Tenuta Barac
Located in Alba, in the Langhe region of Piedmont, lies the famous Tenuta Barac, an organic winery known for innovative winemaking processes. Tenuta Barac’s resident sommelier will walk you through the story of the winery and explain the various stages of their production – from grape to bottle. At the end of the tour, you’ll be invited to a tasting of 5 wines, with cheese and cold cuts upon request. Whether you’re a seasoned wine drinker or just starting to learn about wine culture, we promise that you’re in for a treat.
Please note that all tours are required to be booked online and in advance.
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Agricola Marrone
With breathtaking views over Barolo’s Langhe region, Agricola Marrone offers an exclusive experience that includes not only a visit to their tasting room and aging cellar, but also a full lunch. Enjoy a traditional Piedmontese meal alongside your choice of 3, 4 or 5 different wines (according to your selection at booking).
The entire experience lasts approximately 3 hours and online booking is required in advance. If you’re traveling with young children, your hosts can provide an alternative lunch menu that your kids will also enjoy.
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Sicily
Venture south to beautiful Sicily for some of the best hospitality, and wine, around. Known for their three primary grape varietals – Nerello d’Avola, Frappato, and Nerello Mascalese – Sicilian wines have a unique, fresh and fruity flavor that remains structured and refined.
They’re also renowned for their regionally made, fortified dessert wines such as Marsala wine. Whether you sip it neat, or use it in cooking, it’s one of the products that make Sicily so exquisite!
Gambino Winery
Experience the best of Sicilian warmth and charm at the family-owned Gambino Winery. When you arrive, the hospitality manager will explain to you the significance of the winery’s territory and history, before guiding you through a multi-course meal and wine pairing. The winery produces red, white and rose wines, all of which allow you to taste the unique terroir of this volcanic region.
Please note that the easiest way to visit the winery is by car. If you are living out your White Lotus fantasies in Taormina, the winery is less than an hour away!
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DISCOVER: The island’s volcanic wine in our podcast Exploring Sicily’s Mount Etna wines.
Di Giovanna
If you happen to be on the west side of Sicily, don’t miss the chance to visit Di Giovanna. Enjoy a full tour of the winery and vineyard, before diving into a tasting that includes 5 organic wines plus olive oils and other local delicacies.
The winery is located between the towns of Sambuca di Sicilia and Giuliana. It’s easiest to reach the winery by car, and if you need any help with directions, the winery is happy to assist you. There is a parking lot on the lower level of the winery where you’ll be greeted by your tour guide.
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Veneto
While you may be familiar with Veneto due to highly popular Prosecco, a sparkling wine made from the Glera grape varietal, you might be less familiar with some of Veneto’s other highly regarded wines. Known for their diversity and complexity, the wines of Veneto offer everything from fruity and floral to spicy and tobacco-heavy. Truly, there is something for every palate.
Ruggeri
Located in the Valdobbiadene region in northern Italy and more specifically in Cartizze, a town regarded as the birthplace of Prosecco, Ruggeri offers an experience like no other. Walk through the vineyard and learn about the history and significance of this renowned area. Taste 5 of their elegant and well-balanced sparkling wines under the careful guidance of one of their resident sommeliers.
If you’re arriving from Cartizze proper, the vineyard can arrange for you to be picked up. Otherwise, the easiest way to reach Ruggeri is by car.
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Pieropan
Just west of Valdobbiadene lies the upcoming wine region of Soave, known for its white, aromatic and floral wines, and Valpolicella, famous for its red, fruity and balanced wines. Pieropan produces both reds and whites, which means that you get the full Soave wine experience. Pieropan itself is a 4th generation owned winery that has dedicated itself to preserving its heritage and authenticity, while embracing innovation – especially when it comes to sustainable and organic winemaking and even the development of the building itself.
This winery is stunning and modern, and conveniently located just outside the town walls of Soave proper (walkable from the city center). If you’re not staying in the center of Soave, you can easily take a bus from the nearest train station.
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Puglia
If you haven’t been to Puglia, the boot of Italy, yet, it’s time to add it to your bucket list. Not only is it a stunning and less-traveled part of Italy, but it’s home to some of the best wines around. Think rich and intense flavors and full-bodied reds – the perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Masseria Torricella
Start your experience with a guided tour of Masseria Torricella’s vineyards before heading into this beautiful organic winery for a full tasting, complete with 6 different types of wines and multiple Apulian delicacies. This winery, founded in 1946, is available for just cellar and tour visits, but, if you’re really looking to treat yourself, they also offer multiple types of rooms, all tastefully furnished, for overnight stays.
Not sold yet? Masseria Torricella also has a swimming pool and a spa, which is nestled inside an old Franciscan monastery. Don’t mind if we do.
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LISTEN: To our podcast episode on How Puglia is redefining its wine culture.
Feudi Guagnano
Looking for something different? Feudi Guagnano is a winery known for its deep dedication towards preserving and revitalizing the region’s viticulture. Located in Salento, they offer unique wine-tasting experiences that pair their local wines with different experiences depending on the time of year. The latest, a wine tasting at Sunset overlooking their beautiful region.
Be sure to book in advance, online. There is a minimum of 4 people required to book, so it’s the perfect opportunity to bring old or even new friends that you meet during your travels.
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Campania
Known for the city of Naples, the scenic Amalfi coast, and numerous archaeological sites, Campania also produces some stellar wines (as if we needed another reason to go). With bottles ranging from light and minerally whites to high-tannin, bold reds, Campania is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in Italy and home to over 100 grape varieties.
Cantina Del Vesuvio
Spending any time near Pompeii, just a hop skip and a jump away lies the organic winery Cantina Del Vesuvio. Close to the famous volcano and overlooking the picturesque gulf of Naples, you’ll have the opportunity to tour the winery and its vineyards and learn about the history of this family-owned establishment. Finish off your experience with a luxurious 3-course lunch paired with 5 of their organic DOP wines.
Like many wineries in Italy, it’s easiest to rent a car to reach this winery. Driving, it only takes 15 minutes to reach from the archaeological site of Pompeii and is a perfect way to recharge. But, if you don’t have access to a car, it is possible to take public transit from Pompeii and will take less than an hour to get there.
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Tenuta San Francesco
Looking for a more hands-on experience? Get the full taste of Italy by booking an experience with Tenuta San Francesco where, in addition to doing a tour of the winery, 17th-century cellar, and their 300-year-old vineyards, you also get to do a cooking class. Spend the day with the winery’s owners to learn how to prepare a typical, 5-course Italian meal. Toast your culinary success with 3 different Amalfi Coast wines and 1 sparkling wine.
The entire experience lasts just four hours and needs to be booked online in advance. Whatever you do, come hungry so you can enjoy the feast.
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While you might know Italian wines, there is no better way to taste them than to fully immerse yourself in the place where they’re produced. Whether you’re a wine expert, or entirely new to wine, you’re sure to be wowed by these wine tasting experiences. Be sure to book in advance to reserve your place for all these winery experiences.
Italian Wine Tasting FAQ
What is DOC and DOCG?
When you’re looking at a wine bottle, look for a label that says DOC (designation of controlled origin) or DOCG (guaranteed designation of controlled origin). These acronyms indicate that wine is made from a specific grape within a specific area of a broader region.
For example, if you see a wine that says Chianti DOC, you will know that this is a bottle of wine made using Sangiovese grapes from the region of Chianti in Tuscany. A lot of this knowledge is based on just memorizing what grapes grow in what regions, but the more wine you drink (and the more wineries you visit), the more familiar you’ll become.
What should I wear to a wine tasting?
We like to wear something comfortable, yet stylish when we go to a wine tasting. You want to be sure that you’re being respectful to your hosts (who are sometimes not just managers, but owners of the winery) to show that you appreciate their work and their art.
Think nice jeans, skirts, sports jackets, button-down shirts, etc. Whatever you decide to wear, just be sure to choose something comfortable for your feet! As much as we all love to take cute pictures in the vineyards, heels won’t do so well if you’re walking on soft dirt or grass.
Can I spit at a wine tasting?
Yes! It’s possible that you might not like every wine you taste or you might not want to feel the after-effects of the alcohol, and that’s more than okay. Wine tasting is all about trying new wines, opening up your palate and honoring your limits.
It’s common for hosts to leave a spit bucket at the table for you to politely, and quietly, spit out your wine after you sip it. Don’t feel like you’re doing anything wrong – it’s entirely acceptable and expected!
What are some common wine words that I should know in Italian?
It’s fantastic that you want to pick up a bit of Italian when you’re at a wine tasting. Here’s a list of some common words used in a wine context.
A glass / a bottle – Una bicchiere / una bottiglia
Red / white / rose wine – Vino rosso / bianco / rosé
Dry – secco
Sweet – dolce
What should I order with this wine? – Cosa ordinare con questo vino?
Our team of writers and creatives at Untold Italy are experts in keeping you informed and inspired about travel in Italy. Our team collaboration involves writers, photographers and editorial staff dedicated to sharing accurate Italy travel information.
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