The birthplace of the Renaissance, the era during which Europe experienced a resurgence, a new awakening, will always occupy a special spot in history. That place can be identified as Italy, and Tuscany lies at the heart of this great nation. It can be said that Tuscany, with its roots reaching far back through the Middle Ages to the time of the Etruscans, is the cradle of Italian language and culture. It has given the world popes, painters, poets and politicians par excellence. It has also given the world its wines.

Viticulture flourished in the region since Etruscan times, and over the centuries, it has been developed into a fine art. Tuscan wines are a warming red for the most part, set off by a few bracing white ones. Here, wine is as much associated with the heights of religion and culture as with ordinary life. In other words, all kinds of wine are available, ranging from the special ones that are appreciated by the most exacting of connoisseurs, to those that are served daily at the table with simple meals.

Tradition is a hallmark of most Tuscan wines, produced under the most stringent tried-and-tested conditions. But innovation is not a stranger here, either. Some wine producers have dared to be different, experimenting with ‘foreign’ grapes, mixing them with strongly-entrenched local ones to yield a new breed of wine, aptly christened SuperTuscans.

The countryside, immortalized in paintings and poetry, is dominated by the vine. It is for the most part hilly, but there are pockets of other geographical types too. Here the Sangiovese vine thrives. The grape is the foundation on which most of the great Tuscan wines are based, for some it is the sole ingredient.

If you’re a connoisseur of fine wines, you surely will love a visit to the land of the Brunello, Chianti, Vernaccia de San Giminagno, and Vino Nobile di Monepulciano. And even if you are a casual tourist to this land steeped in culture, you will welcome a break from the churches and museums -- your eyes and mind will be able to better appreciate the richness of art and history if you give them a chance to take in the fresh air and sunlight of the Tuscan vineyards.

We at Castello La Torre will take you to the land of the King of Wines, or down the roads of the Black Rooster, or offer you a chance to experience the Wild West of Europe.

Our wine tours are day trips, organized with an eye on giving you a fulfilling, hands-on experience. You get to visit some beautiful country, explore exciting old cellars, learn first-hand how some of the world’s finest wines are made, and discern the qualities that make a great wine at wine-tasting sessions. You will also get the chance to visit extra virgin olive oil mills and taste some typical Tuscan cuisine. We take every effort to ensure your comfort, and our facilities include pick up and drop at your hotel or place of stay.

So do join us, we’ll take you places!