On Your Own in the Tuscan Wine Country
As savvy wine drinkers from the four corners of the world gain an appreciation of Italy's superb range of wines, travellers' appetite and fascination with Italian wineries will continue to increase. Discover the treasures of Italian wine country while they still possesses their quaint and picturesque charm.

CHIANTI CLASSICO: If you've had enough of city life, rent a car and take to the road — the Via Chiantigiana, that is. Spend a day or two making a leisurely journey along this scenic road winding through wine country. The Via Chiantigiana connects Florence, in the North, with Siena, in the South. Along the way, you'll pass through the Chianti valley, rich in history, with its production dating back to the 1300s, and richly saturated with vineyards and wineries. Put together your itinerary any way you like. The Black Rooster Consortium presents the sights and tastes of the Chianti winegrowers on their site. Beyond listings of all the wineries, you'll find articles of interest in their online Chianti Classico Magazine.

BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO: This incredible wine region takes a little more effort to reach as it remains tucked into the South of Tuscany. But it is a region that merits and so does its amazing wines. So maybe it would be an idea to take a couple of days out of the calendar and overnight in Montalcino - a night of two if you have the time.
A few wineries in Montalcino have tasting rooms and it is possible to go without appointment within opening hours. Most wineries require appointments for visits. You can fix appointments through email by contacting the producers individually. For a full list see the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium web site.

Visit the Tuscan Wine Tour forum to ask questions about visiting the wineries of Tuscany