Chianti Wine Tours from Florence

There is something about sipping Chianti on a vine-covered hillside in Tuscany, and you can do just that on a wine tour from Florence. From learning what Chianti Classico means to seeing the winemaking process firsthand, here are your options.

Half-Day Tours

Usually stopping at two wineries, half-day Chianti wine tasting tours from Florence give travelers the chance to experience the Chianti region but be back in the city by dinner. Lunch, on the other hand, is often included in a rural Tuscan country farmhouse, where you’ll sip Sangiovese after touring the cellar and viewing what goes into winemaking.

Full-Day Tours

For an immersive Tuscan wine tasting experience, spend a full day exploring the wine region. Combine a visit to local vineyards with walking tours of nearby hill towns to stroll the cobbled streets and learn the history of the Tuscan countryside. Visit some of Tuscany's UNESCO World Heritage sites while also sampling olive oil, cheese, salami, and wine; stand in Siena's Piazza del Campo; check out San Gimignano, or visit the city of Pisa. All tours include meals of classic, flavorful Tuscan cuisine.

Things to Know

• Half-day tours usually last 5 to 6 hours, while full-day tours run between 10 and 12 hours.

• The Chianti area is set about 45 minutes away from Florence by road through the rolling hills.

• Some tours focus exclusively on Chianti wine tasting, while others are true sightseeing tours that also include some wine. Decide which tours work best with your level of interest in winemaking.

• Keep in mind that most tours involve a fair amount of walking through various towns.

• Your full-day Chianti wine tour will likely include free time, so bring along some extra cash for souvenir shopping.

• Choose a convenient guided tour with included roundtrip transport from central Florence so you don’t have to worry about driving after a day of wine tasting (drunk driving penalties in Italy are severe).