Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine tours in Tuscany, Italy.

Drink A Toast To Italy’s Finest Wine In Its Homeland

It inspired Popes, princes and poets, and no wine-lover worth the name would want to miss a visit to its homeland. So come on, we're taking you to San Gimignano to taste the inimitable Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

The enological history of San Gimignano goes back a long way, possibly even to the Etruscans. Opinion is divided regarding where the vines came from originally, but that does not take away anything from the superior quality of the wine produced here.

Its value was greatly appreciated by the rich and the powerful during the Renaissance period, and it got its just dues when it became the first wine to be awarded DOC status in1966. Years later, this was upgraded to DOCG status, another fitting tribute.

Over the years, the viticulturists have carefully planned their yields and upgraded methods to see to it that the wines of the region live up to tradition and carry their name forward.

Made from the homonymous traditional white Tuscan grapes, Vernaccia is produced only in this circumscribed hilly area with an average altitude below 300 metres; and yellow, sandy and clayey soil. Efforts were made several times to produce it in other regions, but these had to be given up as lost causes, and San Gimignano maintains its monopoly.

The grapes are harvested from the middle of September to the middle of October. The white is the traditional wine produced here, though the grapes are mainly red. The process followed is gentle pressing in controlled low temperatures to maintain the unique bouquet, followed by fermentation, again at a controlled temperature, for 12 to 18 days, in cement or steel vats.

There are three main types of white Vernaccia -- the Tradizonale, Fiore and Carato. Then there are the reds, Cannaiuolo, Vinbrusco, Il Garrulo, Montenidoli and Sono Montenidoli.

The whites have been described as “powerful and full-bodied, with a rich, heady bouquet and a crisp clean taste that lingers long on the palate, a golden-hued wine that both warms and inspires”. Light and dry, with a slightly bitter aftertaste, it makes an excellent aperitif as well as an accompaniment for fish dishes. It is also served with white meat.

Vernaccia has an alcoholic strength of 11%, although a strength of 11.5%, and a one-year ageing give it the Reserve quality.

The San Gimignano area is also well known for the equally famous Chianti.

Our tour takes you through this exciting vine country, giving you a unique opportunity to see how the highly valued wines of this region are made.

The bonus is that you get to experience history. San Gimignano is a veritable museum town. In medieval times, its position on the Via Francigena, or the road to France, made it a prosperous trading point, dealing in wool, leather, textiles, saffron, oil, and of course, wine. Its architecture was majestic -- it was home to as many as 72 beautiful towers in the 1300s. Now just 14 of these remain standing, but even so, they lend distinction to the town.

Our tour starts at 9.30 a.m. from your hotel or villa in Siena or elsewhere in the province. We travel due north, and stop to visit Monteriggioni, a very small medieval village enclosed by defensive walls and towers.

Then we will drive on to San Gimignano. First stop: A small vinery where Vernaccia wine is produced. Here you can visit of the cellars and enjoy the experience of private wine tasting.

We move on then to the town.

At the heart of the town is an exclusive restaurant, which finds mention in even one of the most famous wine magazines. There you will be able to enjoy an exceptional lunch, accompanied by some great wine.

After lunch, there’ll be time to walk through the narrow, quaint medieval streets and browse among the handicraft shops that crowd the area. You may be able to pick up some typical Tuscan products like pottery, or alabaster, for which this area is famous.

After you’ve had your fill of sightseeing and shopping, you’ll be ready for the second wine tasting of the day. We will visit the cellars of another winery nearby and get to enjoy Vernaccia and Supertuscan.

By 5.30 pm, you’ll be dropped back at your hotel and villa, replete with good food, good wine and an experience to savour.

We would be glad to draft a customized itinerary for other tours in Tuscany for you if you so desire.

We are just an email away and would love to have your feedback.

Please note that all prices below are quoted taking into account a pick up and drop off in Florence. We can organise for the driver to come to your villa or accommodation in other areas of Tuscany and prices will be quoted separately upon request.

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