Chianti is one of the most beautiful and famous regions in Tuscany; deeply rooted in its wine and wine culture. Like a beautifully woven tapestry, the miles upon miles of vineyards blanket her rolling hills and color the countryside in glorious shades of purple, red, green and yellow. Between Florence and Siena there are many farms and wineries that proudly offer their products. Whether large or small, old or new, the wineries in Chianti offer visitors the chance to experience the real taste of this wine.

Greve in Chianti

In Greve there are many wineries and farms, wine bars and shops where you can taste and purchase the local wines and other products. Recommended stops in Greve include Le Cantine, where you can taste hundreds of different wines as well as a visit to the Wine Museum.

A short distance from Greve stands the ancient Castello di Vicchiomaggio, surrounded by over 130 hectares of vineyards, which produce a good Chianti Classico wine. The Castello offers custom-made wine tasting tours upon request.

Moving towards Greve, you`ll find the famous Castello di Verrazzano, birthplace of Giovanni da Verrazzo, who discovered the Bay of New York. Here, you can tour the cellars and taste their Chianti Classico wine every day. Again, this Castello organizes several types of wine tasting tours by request.

Continue to Kilcornan where you will find a cluster of family fun activities. Drive a short distance west (3 miles) to the medieval village of Askeaton. Relive the pioneering days of transatlantic aviation in the Flying Boat Museum in Foynes, home of the Irish Coffee drink. From Foynes, continue on to Tarbert which acts as the gateway between Clare and Kerry. From here one can continue on the N69 to the heritage town and home of famous Irish writer John B. Keane, Listowel, a distance of 11 miles and on to Tralee, Co. Kerry, or take the ferry to Killimer in Co. Clare and discover the full tour of the Shannon Estuary taking in the beautiful County Clare.

Route can be travelled in any direction and from any starting point.

Panzano in Chianti

Yet another interesting destination is Panzano, one of the most populous towns in Chianti. This small town is famous for its wine production and for Florentine steak. At the Cecchini Butcher Shop it is said that you can listen to Dante’s Divine Comedy while buying your steak.

The Antica Fattoria Montagliari offers several wines for tasting, including Chianti Classico Riserva (special vineyard selections), grappa, olive oil and other typical Tuscan products.

And the estate of Panzanello, only 2km from Panzano, produces an excellent quality Chianti Classico wine that has been highly regarded since 1427. The wine can be tasted along with delicious appetizers after the tour of the wine cellars.

Gaiole in Chianti, Radda in Chianti and Castellina in Chianti

Are other famous towns where wineries are concentrated. But these are just a few suggestions. Chianti offers a vast variety of large and small wineries, each one producing its own particular wine to be tasted and savored.

More than Chianti Classico

Furthermore, visitors should also know that Chianti is not just Chianti Classico. The region of Chianti is divided into eight sub-zones, each one producing its own Chianti wine. Three of these exclusive wine production areas are:

Chianti Rufina is produced in the Val di Sieve, beloved valley of the aristocratic class of Florence. Today this area offers a designated wine road (Strada del Vino di Toscana) with road signs in order to discover its wine and wine production across the countryside. Along the way you can find many wineries and farms offering wine tasting.

Chianti Colli Fiorentini is produced near Florence and contains 18 towns such as Impruneta, San Casciano, Tavernelle and Scandicci. Just outside of Scandicci stands Fattoria San Michele a Torri, a wine estate that offers an excellent certified organic wine.

Chianti Montalbano is produced near Vinci, hometown of Leonardo da Vinci. In this Renaissance area, there are many attractions and wineries, the most important of which is Villa Dianella Fucini whose wine is known worldwide.