Start your journey to discover the best wineries near Florence, where you can indulge in some of the finest Tuscan wine selections in the world!
In this guide, I’ve highlighted wineries that are a must-visit for every wine lover. Each offers more than just wine tasting; they also feature restaurants where you can sit down and enjoy the best Tuscan dishes, naturally paired with top-notch Tuscany wine.
Let’s begin our Tuscan wine tours!
14. Avignonesi Winery Fattoria Le Capezzine
Located at Via Colonica 1 in Montepulciano, Avignonesi is one of Italy’s venerable wineries, with its origins tracing back to the mid-16th century. The winery has experienced a renaissance since its acquisition in 2009, notably transitioning its 345 acres to organic farming. Avignonesi is renowned for its extensive selection of wines, including the celebrated Vin Santo and Vino Nobile.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of experiences, from guided tours and tastings to exquisite dining options. It’s important to note that the winery is closed in January and February, planning accordingly allows for a full experience of this historic estate’s offerings.
13. Badia a Coltibuono
Situated in the heart of Chianti Classico, Badia a Coltibuono transforms its rich history as a former monastery into a haven for wine and culinary enthusiasts. Located at Badia a Coltibuono, this estate not only produces exceptional wines and olive oil but also offers a wide array of agritourism activities.
Guests can stay in the beautifully restored ancient monastery, complete with a swimming pool, participate in wine courses, or enroll in cooking classes.
12. Barone Ricasoli
Barone Ricasoli, Italy’s oldest wine estate, has been influential in defining Chianti wine since Bettino Ricasoli formulated its Sangiovese-based profile in 1872. Located at La Madonna, the estate offers a variety of experiences, from casual wine tastings to elaborate tours and gourmet dinners.
Guests can also stay at a private house on the estate, available for a minimum of two nights. For more details on visiting and accommodations, check ricasoli.com.
11. Cantina Antinori – Ristorante Rinuccio 1180
At Via Cassia per Siena 133 in Bargino, Cantina Antinori stands out not just for its wines but also for its architectural marvel, opened in 2012. This winery is famous for pioneering Chianti Classico and creating renowned wines like Tignanello and Solaia.
Rinuccio 1180, nestled within the winery’s modern structure, offers panoramic views of the vineyards. Chef Andrea Pelacchi’s menu elevates traditional Tuscan dishes with high-quality, local ingredients. Highlights include the creatively prepared Baccalà and lamb chops with Florentine peas, ensuring a memorable dining experience alongside exquisite wines.
10. Castello Nipozzano – Frescobaldi
Located in LocalitĂ Nipozzano, Pelago, Castello Nipozzano is part of the historic Frescobaldi family’s wine legacy, featuring estates like Perano, Nipozzano, Pomino, and others across Tuscany’s most prestigious wine regions. The estate’s bistrot, Il Quartino, offers stunning vineyard views and a terrace that’s worth dining on even in winter for its breathtaking scenery.
At Il Quartino, the pace slows down, transforming fast food into a gourmet experience. The menu features locally sourced dishes such as a Km0 burger made with Chianina IGP and Black Angus beef raised on the estate, served with homemade sauces and fries. Another highlight is the hand-chopped tartare with confit cherry tomatoes, sprouts, and popped amaranth, making each meal an exquisite culinary journey.
9. Castello di Fonterutoli – Osteria di Fonterutoli
Located at Via Gaetano Donizetti 2 Siena, Castello di Fonterutoli has been the pride of the Mazzei family since 1435. Known for its longstanding wine production, the estate is a jewel of the Chianti Classico region, maintaining many of its original structures through the centuries. The estate’s restaurant, Osteria di Fonterutoli, offers a stunning dining experience where guests can enjoy meals in the garden among the trees, surrounded by vineyards if the weather permits.
Menu recommendations include pheasant salad with mushrooms and basil mayonnaise, poached egg with buffalo cream and marinated green beans, and Chianti Tuna (rabbit marinated in extra virgin olive oil, with pepper cream and ricotta). Each dish is a celebration of local flavors, perfectly complementing the estate’s wines.
8. San Felice – Il Poggio Rosso
Located in LocalitĂ San Felice, Siena, the San Felice estate, owned by Allianz, is dedicated to preserving the heritage of Chianti’s traditional vine varieties. Known for its high-profile tourism facilities, the estate is further enhanced by the Il Poggio Rosso restaurant, nestled within the ancient village.
The kitchen, led by Chef Juan Quintero, features a menu that blends modern dishes with those rooted more deeply in the local terroir. The restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience amidst historic surroundings.
7. Dievole – Ristorante Novecento
Located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena at Dievole Wine Resort, Ristorante Novecento is nestled within a historic village dating back to 1090, amidst 600 hectares of vineyards and olive groves.
Open daily, the restaurant celebrates the estate’s 900-year legacy, offering seasonal dishes that reflect the local produce. During summer, guests can enjoy meals in the rose garden, enhancing the dining experience with views that match the quality of the cuisine.
6. Castello di Gabbiano – Il Cavaliere
Set in the heart of Chianti Classico, Castello di Gabbiano is a venerable wine estate in Mercatale Val di Pesa, with its ancient manor offering stunning views that could spark a Stendhal Syndrome.
At Via di Gabbiano, 12, just a hundred meters from the castle in a scenic farmhouse, the restaurant Il Cavaliere presents a select menu featuring exquisitely crafted dishes. Highlights include chicken liver crostini, roasted onions with castle vinegar, chestnut flour gnocchetti, and brick-cooked guinea fowl.
5. Castello di Brolio Wine & Tour – L’Osteria del Castello
Located at LocalitĂ Madonna a Brolio, the Castello di Brolio has towered over the Chianti landscape for a millennium. It was here in the late 19th century that modern Italian viticulture and Chianti wine were born. Nestled at the end of a cypress-lined path leading to the ancient Brolio manor, L’Osteria del Castello offers a menu that reimagines traditional dishes with culinary finesse.
Diners can enjoy dishes such as Pici pasta with cacio e pepe and melting onions, garden carrot cream with citrus and almonds, and locally sourced roasted pigeon. Each dish is crafted to reflect the rich culinary heritage of the region, paired perfectly with the estate’s wines.
4. Castello di Alma – Il Ristoro di Ama
Nestled in the Chianti Classico region near Siena, Castello di Alma stands in one of Tuscany’s most pristine wine areas. At LocalitĂ Ama in Gaiole in Chianti, this historic estate has not only made a name in viticulture under the stewardship of Lorenza and Marco Pallanti but also as a hub for contemporary art.
Il Ristoro di Ama, helmed by Giovanni Bonavita, serves dishes rooted in traditional flavors with impeccable execution. Noteworthy are the guinea fowl on chestnut cream and potato tortelli with Cinta Senese pork ragĂą and mushrooms.
3. Poggio Casciano – Le Tre Rane Ruffino
Located just 10 km from Florence, Poggio Casciano enriches the Chianti landscape as one of the six Ruffino estates. This captivating 16th-century Renaissance villa not only features vineyards and a winery but also houses the Le Tre Rane Ruffino restaurant. Managed by Stefano Frassineti, a chef deeply rooted in Chianti traditions and culinary innovation, the restaurant offers a unique dining experience on a veranda surrounded by citrus and roses when the weather permits.
Le Tre Rane Ruffino offers a menu that blends local ingredients with sophisticated recipes. Recommended dishes include Florentine tartare with garden pickles, “Spago alla chitarra” with green tomatoes, cheek meat, and fresh chili, and Tuscan-style stuffed guinea fowl with Alauda-scented sauce.
2. Lamole di Lamole – Santa Margherita Tenimenti Toscani
At Via Citille 43, in the hills of Greve, I explored Lamole di Lamole, a distinguished estate within the Santa Margherita portfolio, celebrated for its high-altitude Sangiovese vineyards. This estate, part of the Marzotto family holdings, impressed me with its wine bistrot that beautifully pairs regional Italian dishes with its wines.
During my visit, the fresh tagliolini with veal and seasonal vegetables in a Parmesan crisp stood out for its sophisticated flavor combination. The pork cheek, served with a stuffed tomato, vegetable caponata, and golden potatoes, was another highlight, perfectly showcasing the chef’s flair for modernizing traditional Italian cuisine.
1. Il Borro – L’Osteria del Borro
Located in San Giustino Valdarno, Arezzo, at frazione Borro 52, Il Borro is an impressive 700-hectare estate owned by Ferruccio Ferragamo. This expansive property not only features a medieval village dating back to the year 1000 but also includes a historic winery, a spa, and two restaurants.
L’Osteria del Borro offers a sensory journey through its dishes, while the Tuscan Bistro, led by Chef Andrea Campani, modernizes traditional Tuscan recipes to create new flavors and pairings. During my visit, the standout dishes were Laura Peri’s Valdarno Chicken roasted with potatoes and bell pepper sauce, and the grilled octopus with zucchini and samphire.
