When you dream about wine tasting in Italy what comes to mind? Is it cruising between the beautiful vineyards and magical rolling green hills? There are certainly many places like that in Tuscany. However, the wineries in Montepulciano completely stand out from the others! This village is not only world-famous for its vineyards, but the one-of-a-kind wine bars take you on a journey through the winding medieval streets. Join us as we show you why tasting wine in this town is an experience not to miss in Tuscany!
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7 Tips for the Wineries in Montepulciano
1. Stroll Through the Town Center
When searching for the best wineries in Montepulciano you actually want to head directly to the center of town! After arriving and walking through the San Donato gate, you’ll be welcomed to the city with winery after winery offering tastings.
What makes these wineries so unique is that the Montepulciano grape is obviously grown in the vineyards. Yet, much of the wine is stored and aged inside the walls of the town and sold out of each company’s storefront.
So instead of driving between the Montepulciano wineries, you can stroll through the medieval town sampling all the amazing flavors! How cool is that??
→ 14 Fun Things to Do in Montepulciano Italy
2. Explore the Underground Montepulciano Wine Cellars
While looking out over the town from the many panoramic viewpoints, you’ll quickly see that Montepulciano is surrounded by lush vineyards. From every direction, you’ll see long straight lines of vines growing grapes that eventually are turned to delicious wine.
So where is all the wine stored? Something that is completely mind-blowing about the wineries in Montepulciano is that there is an in-depth network of cellars built below the city. Connecting several of the largest Montepulciano wineries, you can explore some sections on your own or even set up a private tour of an individual winery.
Head to Ercolani, which is one of the most popular Wineries in Montepulciano. Here you can get a map of the cellars, learn more about the area, and of course, do a wine tasting! This is such a great way to learn about the process and taste some of the BEST wines in the world from Tuscany.
3. Paid & Free Montepulciano Wine Tastings
For any wine lover, the number of Montepulciano wineries and tastings can be overwhelming! So when walking around know that there is a range of different options. Some shops offer free tastings as a way to invite you to try the wines and pick one up to take home and enjoy later.
There are also tastings throughout town that aren’t free but will cost between 10-12 Euros per person. These tastings are often a little more in-depth explaining the different wines and history of the town. Whatever the case, popping into the different Montepulciano wineries and enjoying a mix of free and paid tastings is such a fun way to spend your day!
4. Wineries in Montepulciano vs Wine Bars
By now you know there are dozens of amazing places to buy and drink wine in town. The only difference is some of the wineries in Montepulciano simply sell it, while spots are wine bars.
One of the most fun things you can do in Montepulciano is stop at one of these amazing shops and try some delicious local wine! However, if you don’t have time, simply buy a bottle (or two) to enjoy later. Below we’ve listed some of our favorite wineries and wine bars to visit in town.
Best Montepulciano Wineries
- Ercolani
- De Ricci
- Contucci
- Talosa
- Crociani
- Gattavecchi
Fun Montepulciano Wine Bars
- La Dolce Vita
- Per Bacco
- La Bottega Del Nobile
- Consorzio del Vino
5. Bring Your Own Bottle to Fill Up
You can actually bring your own bottle and fill it up at some of the Montepulciano wineries! We were based in Montepulciano during our visit to Tuscany and found ourselves a few times at Ercolani.
For just a few Euros we could fill up wine from the massive vats on display and bring it home with us. The first time we had the idea is when we saw several locals doing the same. So if you’re wondering… The wine is still top quality and amazing getting it this way!
6. Ship Home Wine from Montepulciano
This is something else to consider or even plan for before visiting! Many of the Montepulciano wineries offer free international shipping with a minimum order. While this might feel extravagant it can actually be a great deal!
Many of the bottles are honestly cheaper than we would find in the U.S. for infinitely better quality. You can also mix a match with different wines from the same cellar. Save them for special occasions, give them as a gift to friends, or simply enjoy them at home to remember your adventures in Tuscany.
7. Plan to Spend a Night or Two!
Wine lovers that plan to enjoy sampling a bunch of different types should plan to spend a day or two! This is also the perfect town to base yourself from with places like Pienza, Siena, Cortona, and even Florence just a short drive away.
Honestly, there is nothing better than tasting Montepulciano wine and wandering around this magical medieval village. There are several historic hotels inside Montepulciano, or you can stay at one of the bed and breakfasts which are a quick walk from the city walls.
One of the best days we spent in Tuscany was relaxing at our hotel pool surrounded by vineyards. Later in the evening, we walked into town to do some wine tasting and go to dinner. If you couldn’t tell after all these tips, the wine from Montepulciano is more than worth the visit for! Here are a few recommendations for where to stay within the ancient walls of the town.
Where to Stay in Montepulciano Italy
Ultra Luxury – Palazzo Nobile di San Donato – Stay in a historical Renaissance building in the heart of Montepulciano. The beautiful suites include modern amenities with world-class art adorning the walls.
Bed & Breakfast – Il Tosco – This 15th-century property is just a short walk to the main square. Enjoy a delicious breakfast and private parking on site.
Bed & Breakfast – Meublé il Riccio – Have a traditional Italian experience along with some of the best views in town from your patio or balcony.
Guest House – Via Di Gracciano – Perfect location in the center of town with spacious rooms, and walking distance to all the Montepulciano wineries.
Studio Apartment – ManillaHouse – Apartments with full kitchens and living areas. A great alternative to hotels in Montepulciano if this is more your style.
Have any questions about the wineries in Montepulciano or want to share your own favorite vineyard? Let us know in the comments below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Italy Travel Planning
Flights: We always check Skyscanner and Kayak to search for cheap flights. That’s how we got from Rome to Venice for under $30 USD!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: We use Discover Cars to explore when traveling. Consider renting a car in one city and dropping it off in another for an epic Italian road trip!
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for thousands of activities around the world. Book a Florence winery tour, Capri Boat trip, or street food tour with a local guide in Rome!
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