Brunello the Big Red Wine Tour
Discover the Excellence of Brunello di Montalcino
About This Tour
Join an intimate, small-group wine journey from Florence south to the breathtaking hills of Montalcino, nestled within the UNESCO World Heritage landscape of the Val d'Orcia. Celebrated globally as one of Italy's most prestigious red wines, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is crafted exclusively from 100% Sangiovese Grosso and aged by law for a minimum of five years before release.
On this full-day shared excursion (capped at just 8 guests for a relaxed, authentic experience), you will visit two premier, family-run estates with distinctly contrasting terroirs. Stroll through sun-drenched vineyards, tour historic underground barrel cellars, and discover the craftsmanship behind both fresh, vibrant Rosso di Montalcino and complex, cellar-worthy Brunello di Montalcino.
At midday, sit down at a boutique winery for a traditional multi-course Tuscan lunch featuring seasonal local specialties paired directly with estate wines. The afternoon includes leisurely free time to wander the cobblestone streets of medieval Montalcino, explore its 14th-century fortress, and admire panoramic vistas sweeping across southern Tuscany before your comfortable return drive to Florence.
Highlights
- Full-day tour with a small group (2-8 people)
- Visit two hand-selected wineries in the Montalcino wine region
- Guided tastings of Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino
- Traditional light lunch at a winery, paired with local wines
- Scenic stop at the medieval village of Montalcino
Itinerary
Pickup in Florence
Meet your sommelier guide in central Florence (Lungarno Cellini) and board an air-conditioned minivan for a scenic drive south through the Chianti hills towards the Val d'Orcia.
First winery — vineyard walk & tasting
Arrive in Montalcino to tour the vineyards and cellars of a boutique family estate, followed by a guided tasting of Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino.
Second winery — cellar visit & Tuscan lunch
Visit a second contrasting Montalcino winery, explore the barrel rooms, and enjoy a traditional multi-course Tuscan lunch paired with estate wines.
Montalcino village & medieval fortress
Leisurely free time to stroll through the cobblestone alleys of medieval Montalcino, admire the 14th-century fortress, and enjoy sweeping views across the UNESCO Val d'Orcia.
Return to Florence
Relax on the comfortable return drive through the rolling Tuscan landscape, arriving back at the Florence meeting point around 5:00 PM.
What's Included
- Comfortable, air-conditioned 8-passenger minivan transportation (Opel Vivaro / Renault Trafic) with licensed NCC driver
- English-speaking certified professional sommelier guide
- Guided visits to two hand-selected Brunello di Montalcino wineries
- Cellar tours and guided tastings of Rosso di Montalcino & Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
- Traditional Tuscan lunch paired with estate wines
- Intimate small-group experience (maximum 8 guests)
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Tips and gratuities
The Wineries
Meeting Point
Lungarno Cellini 33, Florence · Siena pickup on request
Tour Area
Cancellation Policy
| Notice before departure | Charge |
|---|---|
| More than 14 days | No charge |
| 48 hours – 14 days | 50% of tour price |
| Less than 48 hours | 80% of tour price |
| No-show | 100% of tour price |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Brunello di Montalcino need to age before release?
By law, at least five years from harvest, including a minimum of two years in oak (Riserva needs six years) — one of Italy's most tightly regulated wines.
What's the difference between Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino?
Both come from 100% Sangiovese grown in Montalcino, but Rosso is aged for only about a year and released much sooner. It's a more affordable, approachable way to taste the same terroir while the Brunello is still aging.
Which wineries will we visit?
We work with carefully selected family-run wineries in the Montalcino area. The exact estates may vary with availability, but each visit is chosen for its quality, character and welcoming experience.
Is lunch included, and can you accommodate dietary requirements?
Yes. A traditional Tuscan light lunch, paired with local wines, is included at one of the wineries. Please let us know about vegetarian, vegan, allergy or other dietary requirements when booking so we can check arrangements in advance.
How long is the drive from Florence to Montalcino?
The journey takes you through the Tuscan countryside to southern Tuscany. The full-day itinerary runs from 9:00 AM to approximately 5:00 PM, including the winery visits, lunch and the village stop.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour meets and finishes in Florence, at Lungarno Cellini 33. Siena pick-up may be available on request; please contact us before booking so we can confirm it.
Will I be sharing the tour with other travelers?
Yes — this is a small-group tour with a maximum of 8 participants, typically a mix of couples, friends and solo travelers. It is a good option if you would rather not book an entire private vehicle.
Can we purchase Brunello wine at the wineries and ship it home?
Yes, absolutely. Both boutique wineries we visit offer insured, temperature-controlled door-to-door international shipping directly to your home address in the United States, UK, Canada, Australia, and across Europe. They handle export packaging, customs clearance, and local transit paperwork directly, so your bottles arrive safely at your doorstep without you having to carry them on the plane.
What should we wear for the winery visits and lunch in Montalcino?
Comfortable smart-casual clothing is recommended. We suggest flat, comfortable walking shoes suitable for gravel vineyard paths, cool historic barrel aging cellars, and the cobblestone streets and fortress ramparts of Montalcino village. A light layer or jacket is also helpful, as underground wine cellars remain naturally cool year-round (around 14–16°C / 57–60°F).
Reviews
Vitor Mazzon
A really enjoyable tour, and Nico was an excellent guide.
Brunello the Big Red Wine Tour
William Kittle
Our guide, Andrea, had an excellent knowledge of both the areas we explored and the wines we tasted. He was engaging to listen to and, thanks to his great relationships with the wineries we visited, he was able to point out several interesting details and local highlights along the way. If you are staying in Florence and love Brunello, this is a tour well worth booking.
Brunello the Big Red Wine TourWilliam Kittle
Our guide Andrea knew the areas we passed through and the wines equally well, made easy conversation, and pointed out plenty of highlights thanks to his good rapport with the wineries we visited. If you're in Florence and Brunello is your kind of wine, this tour is well worth booking.
Brunello the Big Red Wine TourJesus Berrospi
We'd signed up for a shared tour to Montalcino, but ended up being the only guests that day, so it turned into a private outing with Andrea. It couldn't have gone better — two beautifully chosen wineries, wonderful food and wine, and Andrea's deep knowledge of Tuscany and genuine passion for sharing it made the day unforgettable. We'd recommend this tour without hesitation.
Brunello the Big Red Wine TourLisa Ritchie
This tour is perfect for anyone who genuinely loves the winemaking process and its history. We planned our Italy trip around food and wine, and Montalcino was the region we most wanted to explore. It turned out we were the only ones booked that day, so it became a private outing with Niccolò — a WSET-certified guide with real depth of knowledge — joined by Ippolita, the owner's daughter. A wonderful, personal day from start to finish.
Brunello the Big Red Wine TourTanya Adams
Definitely worth doing! This is our 2nd tour with Italy & Wine and I would highly recommend them. The experience from booking to drop off was impeccable. Andrea, our guide, was a wealth of wine knowledge & a delight to spend the day with. I am looking forward to going back & doing another tour asap.
Brunello the Big Red Wine TourLisa Leibig-Zimmerman
We learned a lot from Andrea and had a very enjoyable time. I really appreciate having a local talk to us about the wine, the area, the culture etc, and Andrea was especially considerate. Also, going out a bit further to experience the Brunello and see Montalcino was definitely worth the drive! It was a perfect ending to our Florence vacation.
Brunello the Big Red Wine TourKirsten Capobianco
What a wonderful birthday I had in charming Montalcino in great company ! Andrea was a joy & very knowledgeable about wine & the region. Fortunate to share this day with another great couple . All on the hunt for my Ferragamo & enjoying fantastic wines along the way! Met both winemakers & enjoyed all the wines. Highly recommend
Brunello the Big Red Wine TourGregory Parker
We had a fantastic day on the Brunello Big Red tour with Andrea. The whole experience completely exceeded our expectations. Andrea was the perfect guide for the day: knowledgeable, engaging, friendly, and enthusiastic about the people, the culture and the wine. We learned so much over the course of the day, visiting two excellent, yet very different wineries. Highly recommended!
Brunello the Big Red Wine Tour
