Hello again,
just a quick question: does euro 21.50 for a winery tour and tasting seem a bit much? Being a frequent visitor to Napa Valley I find this sort of pricey ... but since I haven't been to Italy before maybe it isn't. The winery is Castello di Volpaia.
Looking forward to your opinions,
Beckie

We toured the Castello di Volpaia in the company of a very well informed guide in April 2000. The tour included a stroll through the village pointing out the concealed area in a little piazza where the grapes are deposited (which then go in a chute under the medieval street to the high tech production area concealed in a medieval building), a visit to the wine cellars, and a visit to the olive oil production area.

Then we went to a separate tasting room where we had a guided tasting of three wines with bruscetta and a chopped tomato topping.

It was a lovely experience. If your tour is similar, I think it's well worth it. It was one of the highlights of our stay in Tuscany.

Volpaia give a wonderful tour. You are allowed to spend as much time as you wish sampling the wine and some lovely food is offered. The fee of 21.50 is for a almost private tour. There is a sliding scale depending on weekday/weekend and how many people. 21.5 is for 1-2 people on a weekday.

We travel to Napa several times a year and find that in the past 7 years more and more wineries are charging for a tasting. It is not unusual for a high end place to charge $25 a person. As with Napa you will find a wide range in charges, from free to 90 Euro for 4 adults.

Susan

I agree, La volpaia is one of my favorite tours..and because it isn't Napa...you always pay for a tour, and this village is fabulous!

There MIGHT be some place you can stop for free tastings, but often there is a little non ENglish speaking Italian lady that pours the wine ( Vicchiomaggio comes to mind) but even there, you pay for the tour and tasting to tour the castle and taste.

At La Volpaia,stop by Carla's trattoria for lunch after, right there in the Piazza, or her sister's little Bar-- Bar-ucci.. for something lighter!

We visited Volpaia and paid a minimal cost for the tasting itself...without the tour. That is an option if you don't want the full tour (although it does sound worthwhile.)

I should add, though, that there are many wineries that don't charge for either tastings or tours. In fact, Volpaia is the only one we ever paid for. Just recently back from Piedmont and we arranged for tastings at Ca 'Rome, Einaudi, and Monti, and were received wonderfully and paid nothing (of course, we did buy a few bottles, but were never pressed to do so.) In Tuscany on a previous trip we also visited many wineries and never paid a thing (Castello de Brolio, and Rocca delle Mache have free tasting rooms; just a couple that come to mind.) At Castellare just up the road we had made an appointment and had a full tour of the cellers and vineyards, and a tasting. The key is to call ahead (or email) and make an appointment. If you just drop in, chances are there will be no one available to help you and most likely no one that speaks English.

That's right... tasting rooms give free tastings, but not tours.. if someone is there!!!
and you WILL find signs around..

I love just going to the Enoteca's around and having wine by the glass with some light food.. and enjoying wine as the Italians do..

Once again thank you to all who replied. I think it sounds like a worthwhile visit. What I've got to do is stop converting euro into Canadian and just go for it!
Beckie

I posted this a few days ago in a similiar topic

In the past I have made appointments by e-mail and confirmed by fax,I had help with my chianti trip(going with someone who lived in florence).I would contact Isole E Olena,
SanFelice,Fonterutoli(plus there osteria),Casa Emma you can start by going to the consortium webpage Chianti consortium

I recommend the book Brunello to Zibibbo by nicholas belfrage

Visiting Volpaia:
We'll be driving from Florence to Volpaia on a Saturday morning in October. How long will the drive take? Then driving from Volpaia to our villa rental in Siena (3 km outside Siena). Again, how long should a leisurely drive take?

Without stops the 222 can be done in 2 hours or so. But there will be much to stop to see.

Quote: "I would contact Isole E Olena,
SanFelice,Fonterutoli(plus there osteria),Casa Emma you can start by going to the consortium webpage Chianti consortium"

RobRainey, do you have the web link to this? I was unable to find it and I am so behind in my activity planning.. uggghhhh

The Chianti Classico map can be ordered here. And here's the Chianti Consortium.

I really like Casa Emma you can also arrange a meal with tasting at this incredible spot!
They also produce some fabulous items for sale, their soaps , rose syrup. Mosto cotto...
Paolo does the tastings... very professional and fun!
he was at Castello di Verrazzano wine bar in FLorence for ever!!!

Fonterutoli http://www.fonterutoli.it/default_eng.htm

San Felice
http://www.agricolasanfelice.com/iprodotti/ilchianti.html

Casa Emma

Thanks for all your replies. I do have the Chianti map, and just want to allow enough time to stop and linger.

Usually getting to Volpaia is the longer part... from FLorence without stopping it will take a little over an hour to get to La Volpaia, if you are making a reservation.. ask for one after lunch... drive lazily up to la volpaia, stopping in Greve Saturday ( it is their market day) an then have at LA bottega ( right there at LA volpaia)or Bar-Uccithe smaller bar right there in the Piazza and after the tour, head out to your villa.

Love October in Chianti!