3 Days in Tuscan Wine Country

Hire a driver, or rent a car, from Florence. The drive through the countryside is one that cannot be missed. The drive is quite windy, so take that into consideration with any motion sickness or other needs.

From Florence, stop at Antinori winery, one of the oldest family-owned wineries in Chianti and still making incredible wine. What I loved most about this property was the view and property itself. They really made an effort to blend the past with the future, and you can tell in every detail of the space. The tour, followed by a three-course lunch at the onsite restaurant, is the way to go. You learn so much about the property, the family, the wine of the region, and so much more. You end the tour with a tasting of four wines that the family thinks reflect what Antinori is known for. After that, take time to eat at the fabulous restaurant with a tasting menu and wine pairing.

Take your time driving the rest of the way to your hotel. I highly recommend doing dinner at your hotel this night so that you can enjoy your evening by relaxing and taking in all the gorgeous property has to offer. They will have a great local wine selection to choose from as well.

For day two, you will spend the whole day experiencing quintessential Tuscan activities that can be tailored to your interests. Start your day with a truffle hunt with an expert and his dog on private land. Here, you will get to explore the old growth forests of the Tuscan countryside while watching a well-trained dog hard at work hunting truffles for your three-course lunch. Once you are finished with your hunt and being regaled with stories from your host, you will enjoy a lovely lunch with wine pairing at a local restaurant with the most amazing staff and fresh, homemade dishes.

Once you are done there, you will be whisked away to a horse farm where you will meet your mount and be taken on a stroll through vineyards, rolling hills, and beautiful landscapes. Your horse ride will culminate with a private wine tasting and behind-the-scenes tour of a family-run estate that has been making wine since the 14th century. While you enjoy world-class brunello, you will have a perfectly paired charcuterie plate to snack on. If horseback riding is not your thing, I still suggest the wine tour, but we would add an olive oil tasting experience instead of horses.

If you rented a car, you will be in charge of driving yourself to and from locations. There are transportation options available and recommended, especially for a day of wine tasting.

Your last full day in the Tuscan countryside is going to be all about wine. Boutique wineries is the name of the game today. There will be so many options to choose from near your hotel and in the small towns. I recommend finding ones that showcase varietals you like or want to try. With over 300 Italian varietals to try, there is something for everyone. I recommend discovering whether you like Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, or Chianti Classico more—this is a super fun way to explore the different growing regions within Tuscany and the major categories of wine produced in each region.

One of my favorite wineries is Luteria. They are a third-generation winery showcasing wines from three different vineyards—each one bought by the next generation. They have a unique method of winemaking that shows the passion for the wine and the winemaking process.