The Best Tuscany Wine Tour You Can Take From Siena

When planning an Italian vacation many people have Tuscany at the top of their wishlist. Florence is one of the world’s greatest cities but with that title comes the crowds. To get a true feel of Tuscany you should check out some of the smaller cities like Siena as well as get out into the countryside of Montalcino and Val d’Orcia. The rolling hills of Montalcino are also home to Brunello, one of Italy’s most celebrated wines. Tuscan Organic Tours aims to show you the true spirit of Montalcino, its people and its wine.

This post was sponsored by Tuscan Organic Tours, Podere Le Ripi and  Molino di Sant’Antimo but as always all opinions remain my own.The Casual Travelist contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase or book a hotel through these links the Casual Travelist receives a small commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you.

Tuscan Organic Tours

Tuscan Organic Tours aims to take you off the well worn tourist path to show you the real Tuscany through it’s private wine and food tours. There are many group wine tours with big buses that stop at more commercialized wineries; Tuscan Organic Tours offers private tours to small family owned wineries that focus on organic practices and traditional techniques allowing a more intimate and personal experience. I first met Giacomo when I took the Chianti Wine Tour from Florence and I was intrigued when he told my about his Biodynamic Brunello Wine Tour. The tour starts with a private pick up from your villa, hotel or resort in the town or province of Siena and shows the best of Montalcino.

Podere Le Ripi

The first stop on the Byodynamic Brunello Wine Tour is Podere Li Ripi, an organic winery that was the dream of Francesco Illy (of Illy Coffee fame). Podere Le Ripi’s vineyards and farms lies in the heart of the Val d’Orcia and takes inspiration from Montalcino’s agricultural heritage. They also utilize organic practices to promote harmony between the land, the vines, the winemakers and time to produce a wine that is truly representative of of it’s terroir.

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Channeling Leonardo da Vinci Podere Le Ripi utilized the golden ratio and traditional techniques in the construction of their wine cellar. The golden ratio (1:1,618033) can be found throughout nature, from strands of DNA to the spiral of galaxies as well as some of history’s greatest architectural wonders including the Parthenon. Utilizing 750,000 bricks made of Tuscan clay and lime and the symmetry of the golden ratio Podere Le Ripi built their cellar to allow their wines to fully age in harmony with their surroundings. The result is a wine that allows the fullest expression of Montalcino.

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After touring the cellar it’s time to taste. Tuscan Organic Tours offers two different tours at Podere Le Ripi. A standard tasting will consist of 3 wines, many of which are the same varietal but different vintages known as a vertical tasting. With this vertical tasting you’ll get to sample from the winery’s Super Tuscans, Rosso di Montalcinos and Brunellos. The Deluxe Tour allows the chance to try the Vertical Bonsai tasting along with a selection of 5 top wines (along with additional lunch courses to pair with them) plus tasting straight from the barrel in the cellar. Bonsai wines are from Sangiovese grapes are planted in an unconventional manner very close together. This forces the root systems further down and produces a more elegant wine that ages exceptionally well.

Tuscan Garden Experience at Podere Le Ripi

“Did you know that in order to be a Great Winemaker you must be a Great Farmer first?”

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Historically Montalcino was not a land of wineries, but rather a land of simple farmers. Podere le Ripi pays homage to the Tuscan agricultural tradition with their Tuscan Garden Experience. A perfect learning experience for families, the Tuscan Garden Experience lets you get your hands dirty in a fun game where you get to know the plants and farm animals that call Podere Le Ripi home. From picking vegetables to feeding farm animals the Tuscan Garden Experience is a great family friendly activity.

Molino di Sant’Antimo

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The second winery on the Byodynamic Brunello Tour is Molino di Sant’Antimo. In operation since 1980 by the Vittori family, today the winemaking tradition has been passed to sisters Valeria and Giulia who take upmost care in producing some of Tuscany’s finest Brunellos and Toscanas and even Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. A visit to Molino di Sant’Antimo starts with a behind-the-scenes tour of wine production, from picking to pressing and fermentation.

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Afterward you’ll head up to a 19th century farmhouse for a 3 course farm to table lunch, prepared by Valeria and Giulia’s mother, along with wine pairings from Molino di Sant’Antimo’s cellar (typically their Chardonnay, Rosso and Brunello). In my opinion there is no better way to spend an afternoon in Tuscany than enjoying a meal lovingly prepared by the hands of an Italian nonna while sipping a glass of wine.

Abbey Sant’Antimo

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Fully sated from the Tuscan feast it’s time to explore. The Abbey Sant’Antimo is a fascinating Benedictine Monastery that dates back to the 9th century. It’s believed that Charlemagne himself commanded the construction of a chapel located near the pilgrimage road known as the Via Francigena in order to pay honor to God. It was here that Charlemagne’s returning troops encountered an herb that cured a sickness that had befallen many soldiers. Today the Abbey offers Gregorian chant concerts, a monastic pharmacy and even a guesthouse.

Montalcino

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The final stop of the day is the beautiful Tuscan hilltop town of Montalcino. This charming medieval town is anchored by an imposing 14th century fortress, situated on the highest point in town. Climbing the ramparts of La Fortezza di Montalcino offers spectacular views of the Val d’Orcia; rolling Tuscan hills dotted with vineyard, olive groves and winding roads lined with cypress. The historic center of Montalcino is filled with narrow cobblestone alleys filled with shops and cafes and is punctuated by the Piazza del Popolo, Montalcino’s 600 year old main square.

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