Tuscany, Vineyards and Wine Tour from Rome

highlights

• Explore Tuscany’s wine country and sample exquisite local wines
• Delight in an exclusive Wine Tasting experience at an esteemed wine estate
• Travel in luxurious comfort in your private deluxe vehicle and personal English-speaking driver
• Visit Montepulciano that proudly reigns as King of All Wines, with free time for independent exploration
• Sample the local Vino Nobile di Montepulciano at local wine shops
• Stroll the medieval streets of Montalcino, admire the imposing fortress, and taste local wines at wine shops
• Relish a tasty lunch of Tuscan specialties at a local restaurant
• Pause briefly to admire the majestic medieval Abbey of Sant’Antimo
• Visit an esteemed Tuscan wine estate for an afternoon wine-tasting experience
• Convenient pick up and drop off right at your hotel in Rome
• Ideal tour for wine lovers who wish to explore the enthralling Tuscany’s wine country
• Our Tours are private just for you and your party for your tour enjoyment, comfort, and privacy
• ** This tour is offered AS IS and the itinerary cannot be modified or altered. The winery is reserved pending availability and after the tour itself is confirmed

itinerary

• Montepulciano
• Montalcino
• Sant'Antimo Abbey
• Winery Visit with Wine Tasting (Winery Fees NOT included in our tour fee)

description

Buongiorno and welcome to Stefano Rome Tours!  We invite you to indulge in an extended day trip to Tuscany from Rome discovering remarkable medieval Tuscan towns and savoring the local wines on our Tuscany Vineyards and Wine Tour to Montepulciano and Montalcino from Rome.

Visit the elegant historical hilltop town of Montepulciano, hailed as the "King of All Wines" for its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano favored for centuries by nobles and appreciated by wine connoisseurs worldwide.  Discover Montalcino, the majestic Tuscan town famous for its imposing fortress and exquisite Brunello di Montalcino. Revel in the sacred tranquility of the medieval Abbey of Sant’Antimo.  Complete your Tuscany wine tour with a visit to an esteemed wine estate for a relaxing wine tour and wine-tasting experience.

Your personal Stefano Rome Tours English-speaking Driver will pick you up at your hotel in Rome and whisk you on an exciting Tuscany Wine Tour to Montepulciano and Montalcino.

TUSCANY, VINEYARDS, AND WINE TOUR PRICES

Minimum 2 Adults from Rome Hotel:     650 EUROS
For up to 4 Persons from Rome Hotel:    680 EUROS
For up to 6 Persons from Rome Hotel:    700 EUROS
For up to 8 Persons from Rome Hotel:    750 EUROS

* Additional Winery Fees are approximately 25 Euros Per Person.
Wineries must be booked in advance pending availability.

* DATES on the Booking Form Calendar that are NOT Selectable, are NOT AVAILABLE.

MONTEPULCIANO - the "King of All Wines" 

From Rome, your Tuscany Vineyards and Wine tour begins with your journey north into the region of Tuscany to Montepulciano. This elegant hill town is a treasure trove of graceful palazzi, exquisite local wines, and the charm of a classic Tuscan medieval village. Montepulciano is truly an oasis of peace and tranquility, surrounded by splendid panoramas of Val di China landscapes, characteristic farmhouses, and vineyards as far as the eye can see.  

Legend tells us that Montepulciano was founded by the Etruscan King Lars Porsena of Clusium (modern-day Chiusi) as the Etruscan city of Nocera Alfaterna, with ancient settlements from as far back as the 4th-3rd centuries BC. Later, it was controlled by the Roman Empire, followed by Florence and Siena during the tumultuous Medieval and Renaissance eras. The vestiges of Montepulciano’s rich history are evident throughout the town,

As Montepulciano was built on the slope of the hill, you may enjoy visiting both the lower part of town and the upper part of town. The pedestrian-friendly main road of the lower part of Montepulciano is lined with impressive centuries-old palazzi, inviting wine shops for wine tasting, and shops that boast local products, fashions, souvenirs, and gorgeous hand-crafted ceramics. 

On top of Montepulciano, you have the opportunity to admire the splendid Piazza Grande surrounded by the illustrious Palazzo Comunale that resembles Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio,  the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the noble palazzi of Contucci, Nobili-Tarugi, and the Capitano. Situated nearby at the strategic high point is the 13th-century Medici Fortress (Fortezza Medicea) which today serves as a cultural center, and hosts various art exhibitions, conferences, and a popular wine shop.

 MONTALCINO - home of Burnello di Montalcino
 

Your Tuscany Vineyards & Wine tour continues to Montalcino, another treasured Tuscan hilltop town that overlooks the enthralling Valley of Orcia (Val d’Orcia) and picturesque vineyards from its lofty height.  

As with  Montepulciano, Montalcino’s roots also reach back to the ancient Etruscans who thrived in this glorious region for centuries before being conquered by the expanding Romans.  

Although the first written documents that refer to its modern name “Montalcino” appeared in the early 9th century, its ancient name was Monte Ilcinus, which derived from the oak trees that once covered this area. Today, Montalcino is well regarded for its prestigious local wine Brunello di Montalcino made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. 

While in Montalcino, you will enjoy free time on your own for lunch, stroll along the medieval streets lined with wine shops that sell the local red elixir, and admire the imposing 14th-century Medieval fortress that crowns the hilltop town.  Built over earlier fortifications, the fortress of Montalcino served as the last bastion of resistance of the Sienese Republic against Medici’s continuous expansion and conquests.

SANT’ANTIMO ABBEY - visit the sacred medieval abbey

After your visit in Montalcino, you will join your private driver through Tuscany’s winding country road surrounded by vineyards and bucolic hills until you will arrive at Sant’Antimo Abbey for a brief visit to this captivating medieval abbey.

Standing in majestic solitude in a field below the medieval hamlet of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, this historical abbey is perfectly situated among olive groves and pastoral fields.

The original abbey was constructed between the 8th-9th century AD with accounts of Charlemagne founding the monastery following a miraculous healing he experienced at this location when he traveled with his army and was struck by a pestilence.  The current Romanesque-style abbey was built in the 12th century with the original Carolingian chapel still evident.

Deemed a masterpiece of medieval architecture, upon entering the abbey its solemn and mystical atmosphere transports you to the middle ages and the abbey's austere monastic life. A peaceful silence permeates the unembellished travertine and alabaster walls.  Nowadays, Sant’Antimo Abbey houses a small community of diocesan priests and laypeople with established ministries whose daily services evolve around the Benedictine monastic spirituality.

Don’t miss the unique opportunity to also visit the abbey’s monastic pharmacy located in the ancient treasure chamber which sells a wide variety of food products such as honey, fruit jams candies, herbal teas, and artisan beer crafted according to centuries-old monastic herbal recipes. In addition, you will also find a selection of natural body care products made with natural essences, olive oil, and herbs. Browse the monastic pharmacy and select the perfect gift that loved ones back home will cherish.

TUSCANY WINERY - wine tasting and winery tour

Your Tuscany Vineyards & Wine tour completes with a 3:00 PM visit to a local esteemed wine estate located near the serene Sant'Antimo Abbey. You may book in advance a winery tour to learn more about the local traditions of winemaking and viticulture, and luxuriate in wine tastings inside the tasting room or on the terrace surrounded by vineyards and olive orchards. Your winery visit will last approximately 1.5 hours.

To offer our guests maximum flexibility in case some members of your party are not able to partake in wine tasting either for personal reasons or for not being of legal drinking age, winery fees are NOT included in our tour fee.

** WINERY FEES are approximately 25 Euros Per Person which also includes a tour of the winery. See BELOW for more information.

After your relaxing winery visit and wine tasting, you will join your private driver for a leisurely journey through the picturesque Tuscan countryside back to your hotel accommodation in Rome.  

Thank you for booking our Tuscany, Vineyards, and Wine Tour, and for choosing Stefano Rome Tours for your private tours and excursions in Italy.  We look forward to showing you the best of Italy!

Important Information

 
Please READ the important information below as well as Read & Accept our TERMS OF SERVICE and Privacy Policy prior to placing your reservation request(s).

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Payment can be made in Euro funds at the end of your journey directly to your driver, or you may prepay in advance via PayPal or Credit Card online when you Confirm your Tour.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

We kindly ask that cancellations be made at least 7 days in advance in writing via E-Mail.  Cancellations by phone, text, or 3rd party who is not the person who booked the service are NOT accepted.

** PREPAID SERVICES can only be Refunded the Net Rate we receive from your prepayment.  Net Rate is the actual service price minus the fees retained by PayPal/Credit Card that are not reimbursed to us in case of refunds. We can only refund the portion we receive from the PayPal/CC company.

** This Tuscany Wine Tour is offered AS IS without modifications to the existing itinerary, towns, or winery. If you wish to make any changes to this wine tour please send us an email and we will gladly assist you with a customized tour to suit your preferences.

WINE TASTING IN TUSCANY Price, information:

Winery wine-tasting with a tour of the winery is approximately 25 Euros Per Person payable directly to the winery.  (* winery fees can change without notice as it's at the discretion of the wine estate). 

Your winery visit lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Winery fees are NOT included in our tour fee in order to be able to accommodate guests who cannot partake in wine tasting. 

Your winery visit includes moderate walking and standing. You might find uneven natural terrain and inclines to negotiate.   Casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes are recommended on this tour.

Participants must be of legal drinking age (18 years)  to participate in wine tasting.

Wineries must be booked in advance pending availability. If this winery is booked on your tour date, we can suggest a different Tuscany wine tour from Rome.

YOUR STEFANO ROME TOURS DRIVER

This tour provides an English-speaking Driver who is NOT a Licensed Tour Guide or sommelier.  Your driver will be happy to provide general touristic information while at the vehicle, but will not be able to accompany you to sightsee away from the vehicle.

* Italy has strict laws and regulations aimed at protecting official licensed guides that make it unlawful for Drivers to act as tour guides or accompany guests to sightsee on foot away from the vehicle. In order for us to comply with Italy’s laws, Drivers are required to remain with the vehicle while guests sightsee on their own away from the vehicle.

* On this Tuscany, Vineyards, and Wine Tour by car you will SELF TOUR (unaccompanied by your driver) when away from the vehicle.

MEETING POINT to meet your Driver at your Hotel Accommodation:

From your hotel, your driver will meet you inside the lobby of your hotel or the area permitted by your hotel.

For Apartments or B&Bs without a lobby, your driver will meet you outside the main entrance of your Address.

* If your hotel or accommodation is located on a street or in an area that is restricted to vehicle traffic, your driver will park as close as lawfully possible, and meet you on foot at your Address to accompany you to your parked vehicle.

WHAT IS VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO?

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has also been elevated to the prestigious DOCG status - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita.

According to the stringent DOCG law, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano must contain at least 70% Sangiovese grapes from local vineyards, up to 20% Canaiolo grapes, and up to 20% other red varieties.

Vino Nobile must also be aged for two years in oak or chestnut barrels before being released, and it must age for three years for riserva labels. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has found its special place in wine collectors' cellars and dinner tables worldwide for its refined taste.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is frequently described as a medium-bodied dry, smooth, ruby red wine with tannic textures. The wine also has a notable bouquet of dark berries, strawberry, cherry, and plum, with subtle floral notes of violet and rose with hints of vanilla, cinnamon, spice, white pepper, and earth.

WHAT IS BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO WINE?

Brunello wine is a fairly new “invention” crafted in the mid-1800s when Clemente Santi aspired to diversify local wine production at this Il Greppo Tuscan estate creating methods appropriate for making wine suitable for aging.  His efforts and experiments produced a rich deep reddish-brown hue (“bruno”)  colored wine that was named Brunello.

According to production disciplinary, Brunello di Montalcino must age a minimum of 2 years in cask, and even longer for reserve wines.  Brunello is a medium-bodied red wine characterized by a strong robust structure with pronounced tannins, high acidity, and subtle flavors often described as wild berry, red plum, spice, chocolate, vanilla, and sweet tobacco. The wine’s flavors change with age as it’s intended to be aged for years, making it a more exclusive and expensive wine cherished by wine connoisseurs. Brunello di Montalcino was also the first wine to be granted the coveted Italian DOCG status ( Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita ).

PLEASE TASTE WINE RESPONSIBLY

We wish for all our esteemed guests to enjoy our Tuscany  Vineyards &  Wine tour from Rome. Only guests who are of legal drinking age in Italy can participate in wine tastings either at wine shops or at the winery. Guests who are not of legal drinking age or do not wish to participate in wine tastings can enjoy a leisurely visit to the winery.

* Please taste wine responsibly, and never on an empty stomach. Excessive consumption of wine may interfere with the enjoyment of your tour. In case excessive consumption of wine and/or alcohol results in your desire to return to your ship early, please be advised that you will not be reimbursed for the remaining portion of the tour, and will be charged the full fare of the tour as originally booked.