Tuscany
Wine + Culture Tour
Welcome to Tuscany
Hands down Tuscany is the most famous of Italy’s twenty regions — and not without good reason. We could just mention the Renaissance and stop there. But, there’s so much more! The Italian language was born from the Tuscan dialect thanks to Dante and his Divine Comedy. And then there is Tuscany’s sheer beauty: the proud cypresses standing guard over the rolling hills combed with vineyards and olive groves. Throw in a cluster of medieval hill towns, castles and abbeys, a viticulture that reaches back to the Etruscans, and a hearty cuisine, and you’ve got yourself paradise on earth.
Sangiovese is the queen of the grapes in Tuscany and is responsible for all the red wine stars of the region: Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Carmignano, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. And we can’t forget Vernaccia, a grape that makes a fantastic dry white wine that was the first wine to be bestowed with Italy’s DOC mark of quality, Vernaccia di San Gimignano. You will experience all of these varietals at truly special wineries on La Dolce Vigna’s Tuscany Wine Tour.
We’ll also taste the region’s acclaimed extra virgin olive oil and pecorino cheese, enjoy a light hike in the Tuscan countryside, learn how to cook traditional dishes, explore the Medieval town of Siena, and bask in the beauty of Pienza, which is considered to be an ideal urban expression of the Renaissance. Pack your camera and your taste buds!
Tuscany Tour Highlights
Each of our tours is designed to offer an authentic experience, where local traditions meet the pleasure of fine wine and rich heritage. From renowned wineries to charming villages, we’ll guide you through the people, places, and flavors that make every destination truly unique.
Taste Tuscany’s most important wines at historic and small family-run wineries handpicked by your sommelier guide
Meet Tuscan winemakers
Visit breathtaking Tuscan hill towns: Montalcino, Montepulciano, San Gimignano
Luxuriate in the thermal waters of an ancient roman bath town
Sample the region’s prized pecorino cheese
Enjoy a private city tour of Siena, the medieval rival of Florence
Get your hands dirty with a cooking class of traditional Tuscan recipes
Unesco World Heritage Sites in Tuscany
(Starred Sites are on the Tuscany wine tour)
Cuisine of Tuscany
Tuscany is for meat and cheese lovers. Meals typically start off with antipasto plates piled with different salumi and cheeses, especially the locally-made pecorino. Pici, a thick hand-rolled spaghetti, are often topped with different meat ragus. Florentine steak (bistecca fiorentina) is found on the menus throughout Tuscany, as are other cuts of beef, rabbit, hare, wild boar, etc. However, vegetarians, do not fear! Wineries and restaurants have delicious non-meat options. The region embraces garden vegetables and make delicious soups such as the white bean and kale-based ribollita. And, for dessert, Tuscany is known for its cantucci biscuits (often dipped into a class of Vin Santo) as well as the hearty panforte di Siena packed with fruit and nuts.
Your Extraordinary Accommodations in Tuscany
La Dolce Vigna knows the most intimate spots to stay while exploring Tuscany. Accommodations typically include a medieval palace in the heart of Siena, a converted monastery in Chianti and a boutique hotel in the spectacular setting of Val d'Orcia.
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Tuscany Tour Details
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We’ll meet in Fiesole at a charming country hotel and board our spacious minibus and head out to Montepulciano, one of Tuscany's breathtaking hill towns. Here we'll make two stops at artisanal wineries that produce the famed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and have a wander up the winding Medieval streets of the city center. Lunch will be a light spread at one of the wineries. After checking in at our boutique hotel in Valley d'Orcia, we'll head out to dinner in the Renaissance town of Pienza, where we will be greeted by a feast based on pecorino cheese and other local specialties.
Our second day begins with a visit to the enchanting Abbey of Saint Antimo, a former Benedictine monastery built 900 years ago. We'll then have a tour and tasting at a small, historical Brunello di Montalcino-producing winery. After having lunch in the town of Montalcino, we'll head to one of our other favorite family-run wineries in the area that also makes a phenomenal extra virgin olive oil before returning to the hotel. Dinner will be in a very special nearby town that could easily be the setting for a fairytale.
Today is dedicated to the Medieval town of Siena. We'll drop our bags off at our conveniently-located hotel and then have a guided tour of the city center followed by lunch in a traditional trattoria that serves Sienese specialties, such as ribollita (a Tuscan bean soup), pici al cinghiale (thick, homemade spaghetti with wild boar ragu) and of course a glass or two of the local wine. The afternoon is yours to explore the city. Dinner will be on your own. (You will be provided with some of my favorites).
This morning we'll drive to a nearby bite-size hill town, Monteriggioni, and walk along Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage route leading to Rome. We’ll enjoy a hearty and well-deserved lunch at a local osteria. We’ll next head to San Gimignano, an elegant Tuscan hill town prized for its Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which is a deliciously floral and fresh white wine. After a tasting at one of the best wineries in the area, we'll head to the historic city center with some time to walk around and see the sights. Dinner will be at a lovely trattoria in the main square, where our senses will be awed by concoctions of local ingredients such as saffron, honey and various pecorino cheeses.
Welcome to the heart of Chianti Classico! For the next two days, we will be the guests of some spectacular Chianti producers spread out in the four main communes: Greve, Radda, Gaiole and Castellina. Today, we'll explore the later three with lunch at one of the wineries. After checking into our lovely Tuscan farmhouse, we'll be wined and dined at a local fave.
Today, we'll take it easy. We'll have a leisurely breakfast and morning by the pool or walking the hillside vineyards. A light lunch will be served as we do a tasting at our agriturismo, which also doubles as a fantastic winery. After lunch, we will have a cooking class, making Tuscan bread (no salt) and a variety of other dishes for our last dinner together.
This morning, we make our way back to the Santa Maria Novella Train Station in Florence and say our fond farewells. Typically, we are back in Florence around lunchtime.
Other Tuscany Wine + Culture Tour Possibilities: Truffle Hunting, Thermal Springs, Classical Music Concerts, Olive Harvesting...the Tuscan sky is the limit!
We’ll meet in Fiesole at a charming country hotel and board our spacious minibus and head out to Montepulciano, one of Tuscany's breathtaking hill towns. Here we'll make two stops at artisanal wineries that produce the famed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and have a wander up the winding Medieval streets of the city center. Lunch will be a light spread at one of the wineries. After checking in at our boutique hotel in Valley d'Orcia, we'll head out to dinner in the Renaissance town of Pienza, where we will be greeted by a feast based on pecorino cheese and other local specialties.
Our second day begins with a visit to the enchanting Abbey of Saint Antimo, a former Benedictine monastery built 900 years ago. We'll then have a tour and tasting at a small, historical Brunello di Montalcino-producing winery. After having lunch in the town of Montalcino, we'll head to one of our other favorite family-run wineries in the area that also makes a phenomenal extra virgin olive oil before returning to the hotel. Dinner will be in a very special nearby town that could easily be the setting for a fairytale.
Today is dedicated to the Medieval town of Siena. We'll drop our bags off at our conveniently-located hotel and then have a guided tour of the city center followed by lunch in a traditional trattoria that serves Sienese specialties, such as ribollita (a Tuscan bean soup), pici al cinghiale (thick, homemade spaghetti with wild boar ragu) and of course a glass or two of the local wine. The afternoon is yours to explore the city. Dinner will be on your own. (You will be provided with some of my favorites).
This morning we'll drive to a nearby bite-size hill town, Monteriggioni, and walk along Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage route leading to Rome. We’ll enjoy a hearty and well-deserved lunch at a local osteria. We’ll next head to San Gimignano, an elegant Tuscan hill town prized for its Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which is a deliciously floral and fresh white wine. After a tasting at one of the best wineries in the area, we'll head to the historic city center with some time to walk around and see the sights. Dinner will be at a lovely trattoria in the main square, where our senses will be awed by concoctions of local ingredients such as saffron, honey and various pecorino cheeses.
Welcome to the heart of Chianti Classico! For the next two days, we will be the guests of some spectacular Chianti producers spread out in the four main communes: Greve, Radda, Gaiole and Castellina. Today, we'll explore the later three with lunch at one of the wineries. After checking into our lovely Tuscan farmhouse, we'll be wined and dined at a local fave.
Today, we'll take it easy. We'll have a leisurely breakfast and morning by the pool or walking the hillside vineyards. A light lunch will be served as we do a tasting at our agriturismo, which also doubles as a fantastic winery. After lunch, we will have a cooking class, making Tuscan bread (no salt) and a variety of other dishes for our last dinner together.
This morning, we make our way back to the Santa Maria Novella Train Station in Florence and say our fond farewells. Typically, we are back in Florence around lunchtime.
Other Tuscany Wine + Culture Tour Possibilities: Truffle Hunting, Thermal Springs, Classical Music Concerts, Olive Harvesting...the Tuscan sky is the limit!
Double Occupancy
$ 5,800 / Person
Single Supplement
$ 1,100
Special Note
Tuscany’s cuisine is very much based on meat (pork included), cheese, bread and pasta. While the tour can accommodate various food allergies and dietary restrictions, please note this might seriously limit your ability to enjoy local specialties. My Southern Italy Trips are better options for Vegetarian/ Vegan diets.
Inclusions
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Accompanying sommelier guide
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Comfortable Transportation + Driver from our meeting point to our farewell for all group activities
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6 Nights accommodations at charming boutique hotels or farmhouses + Breakfast
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All meals (except one) with sommelier-selected wine at top restaurants
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All guided wine tastings + activities (special events, private tours, guest experts, entrance fees, etc.)
Exclusions
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Flight to Italy
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Travel expenses before and after the tour period
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Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
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Anything not specified as being included. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Requirements
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You must be 21+ years of age.
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You must be in good physical condition as your trip will involve walking, hiking, and other physical activities.
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You must sign La Dolce Vigna’s travel agreement.
Wine Tour Details
Throughout the year, you will also receive helpful info such as tips on what to pack, a reading list, and articles related to Tuscany. A couple of months before the wine tour, you’ll receive a confirmed itinerary for the tour.
Deposit + Cancellation Policy
A deposit of $1500 per person is required at the time of booking to guarantee your space. Balance of the full amount is due 90 days prior the tour start date. If there are still spots available less than 90 days prior to the tour start date, the full sum will be due upon booking.
All cancellations must be received in writing. If made 90 days or more prior to the tour start date, a refund less the deposit will be made. If made between 89-31 days prior to the start date, you will be issued a credit in the amount of 50% of the total cost already paid, less the deposit and any and all costs/fees that La Dolce Vigna, LLC has already paid third party vendors, such as room reservations, etc., towards future trips or services. No refunds will be made for cancellations made 30 days or less prior to the tour start date, nor for a cancellation made during the tour.
We urge all clients to book travel insurance for their trip as we unfortunately cannot make exceptions for inclement weather or personal emergencies.
La Dolce Vigna reserves the right to cancel a tour. In this unlikely situation, you would receive a complete refund of your tour fees. La Dolce Vigna will not assume any other liability and is not responsible for any personal expenses as a result of a tour cancellation, such as airline tickets or personal hotel reservations.
Meet Your Guide: Leslie Rosa
Meet Your Guide: Leslie Rosa
Sommelier + Owner of La Dolce Vigna
After a decade of working in the art world for eminent institutions and artists in New York and London, I moved to Italy, fell in love with the diversity of Italian wine and became a certified sommelier with the Associazione Italiana Sommelier. As an art-curator-turned-sommelier, I founded my company to offer trips that give an in-depth look at the history and culture of a particular region through the lens of local wine, spirits, and food. Over the years, my portfolio of trips has grown from Italy and California to include other places I love: Mendoza, Argentina and Oaxaca, Mexico and now Somerset, England. When not leading tours, you can find me doing pop-up wine tastings, writing for the Slow Wine Guide, or getting lost someplace beautiful with my watercolor set.
La Dolce Vigna Difference
Our tours are always limited to a maximum of 12 people to assure you an intimate experience.
You will always have a certified sommelier guide to answer all of your wine-related questions on the road.
Our tours are centered around small, eco-conscious, family-run wineries that make truly outstanding wine, and are packed with cultural insights.
Be prepared to eat. A lot. We've picked out amazing spots for you, from the small, loved-by-locals osteria to the Michelin-starred restaurant.
Depending on the season and local events, we will custom organize the best and most insider experience for each group.
Rest assured that your tour price includes all meals (except one), activities, hotels, transportation from the moment we meet until our fond farewell.
For those of you who have been on other group tours, you know what we're talking about. Part of living la dolce vigna is taking the time to truly savor your experiences and surroundings. We've built in time for you to do just that at your own pace and on your own terms. Long live slow travel!
Besides helping local, artisanal economies through visiting small wine and food producers, eating at traditional trattorie and staying at boutique hotels, a donation on behalf of each individual that takes one of our tours will be made to 10,000 Gardens in Africa, a Slow Food initiative aimed at cultivating sustainable and healthy communities throughout Africa.
Any Other Questions?
Looking for a Private Wine Tour of Italy?
Look no further! In addition to our intimate group tours, La Dolce Vigna curates private wine tours—with or without a guide—based on your dates, travel style and interests. We will open the doors to authentic experiences complete with exceptional food and wine, colorful personalities, warm hospitality, not-to-be-missed cultural sites and many, many photo-worthy moments. (Trust us.)
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