Emilia Delizia organises wine tours departing from Florence and Siena. Our winery visits are guided by experts in the sector. Participants will learn how wine is made in Italy following our age old tradition. Each wine tasting will be accompanied with local gourmet food. Our company will be happy to organises tours for small groups with or without transport, we welcome tourists who are self driving. We can also equally accommodate larger parties or incentive travel. If you plan your holiday in Tuscany we can organise cookery lessons, cultural visits combined with wine, cheese and ham tours. Contact us to book now your culinary activity in Tuscany.

Wine tours and more from Florence.

If you are visiting Tuscany and you are interested in finding out what do during your holidays, you can also visit our section about what do in and around Florence.

History of winemaking in the Chianti area.

Italian wines are considered to be the most sought after in the world. If we talk about Tuscan wines, it has the collection of some exquisite wines of Italy. The region of Chianti in Tuscany has abundance of grapes and that is the main reason this area is called the ‘land of wine’. If we go into the history, 18th century saw degradation in wine production in the area because of insect called Phylloxera which destroyed the vines. Gradually the loss was recovered and the vineyards were built again.

Eight Primary Wines Producing Areas in Chianti

The wine making in Italy has to pass certain criteria and requirements before it can be accredited with DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) designation. The eight primary regions of Chianti that produce wines are: Chianti Classico, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Pisane, Rufina, Colli Arentini, Colli Senesi, Montalbano and Montispertoli.

Famous Vineyards and Wines in Tuscany.

Chianti Classico is considered to be the most famous wine in the area because of its fine quality. This wine is made from the species of vine called Sangiovese and many varieties of this vine are grown in Italy only. These wines are aged in containers for around 3 years for it to acquire the taste that is sought after by the consumers. Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino are famous wines all made from Sangiovese grape and are red in colour  while the Vernaccia di San Gimignano which is white in colour is made from Vernaccia grape and was the first wine to receive the designation of DOC. Not to forget Vin Santo wine which is also considered to be best when taken with dessert is made from the combination of various grapes in the region.

Super Tuscans and Wines Aroma & Flavour

Brunello di Montalcino is tight in the beginning and hence requires at least 4 years ageing so that it softens and becomes light. The onset of 1970 saw with it an emergence of a new kind of wine variety called ‘Super Tuscans’. Though these wines didn't follow the DOC criteria, yet it was believed to be of fine quality and was sold on a considerably high price. These red wine varieties when aged for 2-3 years gets a darker colour  The flavours of these wines are refined and its smell attracts a lot of consumers. Mostly these wines are aged for 3 years, but if it has to fall under Riserva wines then it has to be aged for 4 years. As far as alcohol content is concerned, it remains 12% by volume. In the northern and eastern areas, wine ripens with a slow pace and is more aromatic and lighter, as compared to the southern and western regions where the wines are richer and thick.

Wine Tasting Tour from Florence.

If you are on a visit to this place and do not have much time to go and taste the wines, you can very well ask to arrange a wine tasting tour for yourself wherein you will be taken to the main wineries in Chianti. These areas of Chianti in Tuscany have been known to the world through its variety of wines. Some superb quality of wines created by following certain fixed criteria and regulations has made Chianti in Tuscany quite renowned on the world map. If you are hungry check here to see where to eat in Chianti. Also we have plenty of resources to plan your holidays with day tours ideas from Florence.

Tours Of  Chianti Vineyards in Tuscany.

Wine has always been a treat and aroma-filled delight for people everywhere, with certain geographical regions historically known to give special grapes that add uniqueness to the flavor, giving birth to some wine-rich areas widely known around the world.

One of these areas is Tuscany, with the best Tuscan wine coming from the area of Chianti that is home to some of the most appreciated wines in the world. If you’re planning on visiting the area’s most famous wineries, we’re here to help you with a comprehensive guide that will make your Chianti visit one to remember.

 

1. Azienda Agricola Montefioralle Winery

Montefioralle is a small village on the hill above Greve in the Chianti region. If you’re on your way from Florence, get through the first traffic light in Greve and take the road bending to the right just before the gas station. From there, you will begin your uphill adventure taking you all the way to the village of Montefioralle and from there, you’re just minutes away from the winery. It was established in 1964 by Renato Sieni, a retiree who took over the vineyards from the local priest and began running it along with his son Fernando.

The first wine they produced was a Chianti Classico called Santo Stefano a Montefioralle and things went increasingly smooth, so when the church finally decided to give up the wineyard in the 90s, it was immediately bought by the Sieni family. It’s still a family business to this day with daughter Alessia joining her brother and father in running the winery, selling both Chianti Classico wine and olive oil. It’s a small vineyard with no more than 10.000 bottles leaving their cellar every year but it’s one of the best and most famous wines in the Tuscany region.

 

2. Castello di Verazzano Winery Visit and Tasting.

Also in Greve, at the heart of the Chianti region lies Castello di Verazzano. The wine making tradition here dates at least from back in 1150 when a manuscript mentions the “vineyards, situated in Varazzano”, but it became a property of the Verazzano family way before that in the 7th century. The castle was taken over in 1958 by the Cappelinni family, taking what was an old settlement in disarray and turning its fortunes around by restoring its former glory.

A crucial part of that was the restoration of the vineyards staying true to the historical features of the area. The ancient cellars date back to the 16th century and there’s a sense of witnessing history everywhere you go in and around the winery, though the current owners have managed to balance quality with care for the environment. The combination of historical significance and improved farming techniques, coupled with the entire area’s excellent wine quality, make Castello di Verazzano an absolute must-go for any wine lover wandering in Tuscany.

 

3. Liverano Wine tours.

When it comes to ancient places, there are few older than Liverano. First inhabited by the Etruscans in 500 BC, it was later occupied by Romans who gave the place its name, and even after the end of the Roman rule it was used as a border post during the local wars between Siena and Florence. After the Siena-Florence conflicts finally came to an end in the 17th century, Liverano turned into a farming village and by the end of World War II it was lying in poverty and almost deserted, despite its spectacularly beautiful natural landscapes. It was completely abandoned in 1953 and gained a new lease on life in the 90s, when restoration works began.

Today, Liverano is a fully working farm that aside from wine produces olive oil, honey, vegetables and fruit. The 38 acres of vineyards produce 9 different wine varieties, all combining the vast Tuscan history and tradition with modern techniques and state-of-the-art technology. The first vineyards were planted 20 years ago, and a dedicated team of professionals works hard to ensure Liverano wines will be enjoyed for many years to come.

 

4. Casanova Winery Tasting and tours.

At the heart of the Chianti region between Poggibonsi and Castellina, you’ll find Casanova of Sant’Agnese, a 20 hectar vineyard and farm that also has ancient roots. Although the first settlement dates back 1000 years, it was only in the 1800s that the Casanova farm was created at the hands of Abbot Sprugnoli, a very talented local chemist. He refined the production of fine wines and oils, and being a very religious man he gave his productions to local monasteries and congregations of the towns nearby. The legend also says Abbot had a special medieval wine making recipe with very powerful inebriating powers that he kept secret as its effects were beyond the power of a simple man.

Nowadays, Casanova Farm is one of the best places in Tuscany to go to for a special “wine tour”. The small farm hosts guests from all over the world boasts of the magic and taste of local wines like the Chianti Classico or the Super Tuscan. The tour lasts for an hour, and your guide Silvano will take you on a journey that most likely you’ll not forget any time soon. It is important to note that the wines produced here cannot be bought from anywhere else, so if you’re looking to taste the magic of the Casanova vineyard you’ll need to come visit the place for yourself.

 

5. Castello di Querceto Visits and tours.

Built deep into the Chianti forest, the Castello was constructed by Emperor Hadrian back in 123 AD, with the original purpose of defending the area around it and especially one of the Roman Empire’s most important roads, Via Cassia Imperiale. The castle we see today was built in the 16th century, after one of the era’s many wars almost completely destroyed the original building. Most of the current vineyards were planted here from 1975 to 1985, with an additional 20 new hectares recently added to the winery.

Staying true to the classic Chianti winemaking methods, the Castello di Quercetto produces excellent wine, with most varieties being red and only a small percentage of white. The estate wine shop offers tastings or the products, while also education tourists about the wines’ characteristics, diversity and flavor, and as an added treat you will be treated to a small snack made up of traditional Tuscan products. The tour also includes visits of the Castle’s outdoor spaces, and of course the wine making cellars, ageing cellars and the historic bottle collection consisting of classic 20th century pieces.