From March to May you'll have the best time for wine tastings and guided tours of Italy. Variations in spring weather in Italy keep the different wine-growing regions distinctive in taste and image. In spring, crowds have not yet taken to rural roads in search of hidden wineries or famous villages, and winegrowers have returned to their fields to take care of the new growing season. Most wineries in Tuscany are open to the public, however, it is recommended to book your winery tours in advance by calling or emailing them.
You can use the Book Tour button when browsing my winery catalog. From Milan to Mount Vesuvius, Italian vineyards dot every hill, valley and plain. Grapes are almost a national treasure here, and more than 310,000 wineries celebrate their vibrant and varied flavor. With all that selection, you might wonder: “Where are the best wineries in Italy? That's why we turn to experts from our tours in Italy to learn about the five best places you can't miss.
Let's break it down by wine region. Marchesi di Barolo could easily be called one of the best wineries in Italy. Set on 430 stunning acres in Barolo, the wineries overlook Marquis Falletti Castle. He and his wife founded this Italian winery more than 200 years ago and, when they died, they created a foundation called “Opera Pia Barolo” to help the city's underserved communities.
To this day, Marchesi di Barolo wine sales continue to support the foundation. Stroll around Beneveto and you'll find La Guardiense, one of the largest agricultural cooperatives in Italy. Together, nearly 1000 farmers grow their own Falanghina and Aglianico grapes on 3,700 acres of rich, rolling hills. Each farmer's harvest reaches the town of Guardia Sanframondi, where La Guardiense winery works its magic.
Ricardo Cotarella, one of Italy's best-known winegrowers, brings each grape to the bottle in the most sustainable way possible. The entire winemaking process runs on its innovative solar energy system. Fortunately, there is an organization in Italy that helps us keep track of what Italian vineyards will allow visitors to book tastings in advance. The Chianti Classico vineyards are located at higher altitudes than Chianti and produce wines with higher acidity and herbal aromas.
The vineyard is located just below Montalcino, a postcard-perfect town perched on a sun-drenched hill, the ideal place to create the area's famous Brunello di Montalcino wines. Stay in the beloved village of Riquewihr and enjoy a wine tasting at the many wineries located along the 38 vineyard trails on the so-called “Route de Vin”. And as you would expect from an industry that relies so heavily on the natural environment, a growing number of Italian wineries are making a committed move towards more considerate operations, from organic practices in vineyards to environmentally friendly architecture. Even so, September is a wonderful time to visit, as the vineyards are beautiful and there is excitement in the air in the wine-growing villages with the start of the harvest.
From cooking classes and vineyard tours to sunrise hot air balloon rides and private meals, Avignonesi is on a mission to showcase its farm and its products in the most dynamic way possible. Some visit some vineyards, others stick to one and include a detailed tour and lunch, and others focus on tasting wines from all over Italy without leaving a big city, enjoying a class at a wine shop. While Tuscany may be the beating heart of wine production in Italy, this is not to say that the rest of the country is lacking; the island of Sicily, in particular, is home to a significant number of beautiful vineyards and wineries. As with many of the most beautiful wineries and vineyards in Italy, nature can take first place in Castiglion del Bosco.
The visit will include a guided tour through its impressive vineyards, followed by a trip to the wineries for an explanation of the entire winemaking process. .
