I'm a bit shy about calling up some winemaker and asking for a tour of his winery and then not being able to buy a case or two of his wine or in the worst case not liking it and feeling compelled to buy some out of politeness. Is there a list of wineries that have tasting rooms that maintain somewhat normal business hours? Thanks in advance and sorry about the multiple posts, but I'm not getting answers to these questions elsewhere.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
Posts: 53 | Location: Montana | Registered: 04 November 2003
The wineries will certainly not expect you to buy a case or two,if you like the wine buy as little as one bottle.The last two wineries we visited I bought one bottle between them,by their reaction and the way they treated us it was not considered impolite.RR
Posts: 6508 | Location: Culver City, CA, USA | Registered: 08 November 2002
If you're touring wineries in Chianti, this mapof the Chianti Classico region is an invaluable tool. The Monterinaldi winery will be happy to send it to you for free and I received it quite quickly after filling out their form. I believe (if I recall correctly) it indicates which wineries have open tasting rooms. This map is fantastic, it shows exactly where all the wineries are.
There are many with tasting rooms but many more where you need an appointment. Its not like Napa! The best thing is to pick just a couple of wineries that you know you like and make an appointment there. We never felt any pressure to purchase, but always did buy a bottle or two or three (never a case.)
Other wineries we found with tasting rooms that don't require an appt (off the top of my head) were Rocce delle Mache, Ricasoli, Volpaia.
You can stop at any winery that has a vendita diretta sign. That means direct sdales. They will almost always offer a taste first. Buy what you like. They will often have olive oil, cheeses or other farm items availble as well. Don't be shy. They are in business and tasting builds their sales. But if you don't like it you are not obligated to buy. Having said that, the last trip we bought two bottles of wine so bad that we tossed one (actually cooked with it) and gave theother away to the proter who helped us load our car as we left Rome. We were going to leave it in the room and he was so grateful that we gave it to him that he refused out tip on top of the swill.
i booked a tour of banfi and then was treated to a free tasting of nearly every wine they produce, thanks to the very nice intern from Cornell working the tasting bar. Everyone was very friendly and i only spent about $50.
Also went to Poggio but not for a tour, just for the tasting room and they were very gracious there as well. So don't worry about how much you spend.
We're staying near Castellina for a week and are planning on spending a day or two in the Montalcino area. Amelia Island, eh? Once rode a single speed cruiser from the resorts to downtown and back, thought I'd never make it back.
quote:Originally posted by BOB THE NAVIGATOR: Where will you be? If near Montalcino then you can do some fine tasting at Poggio Antico, Castello Banfi, and the enoteca at the Fortezza in town.
BOB THE NAVIGATOR rplittle@bellsouth.net
Posts: 53 | Location: Montana | Registered: 04 November 2003
Be sure to look at my link of Tuscan restaurant. Many are based around Montalcino and Castellina. I will be posting a Montalcino trip report in a few days. Restaurant reviews as well.
When dining in the area, look for Castello La Leccia chianti. Their super Tuscan Brucgiana is also superb.
In Montalcino, try Osticcio for a wonderful plate of Cinta Sinese (traditional breed prok products) with a 4 wine Brunello sampler.
If you arrive after mid February, you will be in time for the first of the super 99 vintage. Its underrated and starting to show well. Said to be an early developing vintage, it will give us something to drink while we wait for the 1997 and 2001's to mature. The 99 Rossi were stunning. Very dark and somber styled wines, big and full bidied.
Wow a Dean post about Castellina without mentioning Antica Delezia gelato (I am sure that I spelled that wrong) Just kidding Dean, but anyone in Castellina should definitely make a point to try this gelato. We saw a delivery truck driver pull up and stop in the middle of that goofy intersection right in front of the store, put the truck in park, get out and buy an ice cream cone, and then drive off while eating it! Please tell me how one drives a standard transmission truck and eats an ice cream cone on the windy roads of Chianti? It was too funny.
But back to the wineries--it does help to call a few days ahead of time if you want to visit the smaller places. We have had private tours with Guido Stucchi at Badia a Coltibuono, and also private tours at Casanova dei Neri and Altesino--all with a few days notice set up over the phone. Have also done a tour group tour at Fattoria di Barbi which was informative but somewhat impersonal. The smaller wineries may only have an English speaking tour on one day a week, and a German tour on another day. This is the case at Silvia Nardi, which I really wanted to visit this past trip. But like Dean says you can stop at any winery with the vendita diretta signs and taste and buy the wines.
Sommelier, where are you staying near Castellina? We rented a Villa Masetto a few km outside Castellina this past summer for a few weeks and had a blast. We visited a few wineries, but the one I remember most was Rocca Della Macie. It isn't far from Castellina and they have a great tasting room and are very friendly. They have some bottom end wines, but they also have a few that are very nice. Also stopped into Castellare unannounced and tried their excellent wines. I'm not sure if it was because we were there unannounced or what, but they were far from friendly.
Posts: 43 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: 03 February 2003
Castellare was one that we made an appointment for. Actually, the proprietor of our inn (La Locanda, in Radda) called and made the appointment for us that morning. We got a very friendly reception, from a young woman who spoke English quite well; she gave us a small tour and we tasted several wines and bought a few bottles of one of their special bottlings.
And yes, Rocca Delle Macie is right up the road. You can't miss the giant iron chicken in their courtyard! I believe we bought a bottle or two there as well.
Janet, I think our visit to Castellare was not as well received because of two factors. One, we didn't have a reservation. Two, we got there in the afternoon, right after the start of afternoon siesta. Perhaps I shouldn't have said they were less than friendly. They were gracious enough and indeed did let us try a few wines and some excellent olive oil. We bought several bottles and very much enjoyed their wines. So by all means go to Castellare and visit, just don't make the same tourist mistakes we made!!
Posts: 43 | Location: Pennsylvania | Registered: 03 February 2003
Generally I am agaist daytrips,at least as a way to see cities and museums etc.BUT i am considering a daytrip(From Florence) for enological reasons.It would involve renting a car for one day(Hertz?),do they have a easy in out location so I don't have to drive from the center? Florence to Mantalcino,morning winery visit, lunch in/near Mantalcino,visit to Chianti winery(Badia a Coltibuono?)PM,return car.Too ambitious? Just Mantalcino? RR
Posts: 6508 | Location: Culver City, CA, USA | Registered: 08 November 2002
quote:Originally posted by Callie: Wow a Dean post about Castellina without mentioning Antica Delezia gelato
Actually every post I make mentions Antica Delezie as it is on my Tuscan Restaurant List page as a 3 "*" (out of three) establishment. Out of 33 places reviewed, only 5 rate 3 "*" in my book, 2 of them gelaterie.
quote:Originally posted by Robert Rainey: Generally I am agaist daytrips,at least as a way to see cities and museums etc.BUT i am considering a daytrip(From Florence) for enological reasons.It would involve renting a car for one day(Hertz?),do they have a easy in out location so I don't have to drive from the center? Florence to Mantalcino,morning winery visit, lunch in/near Mantalcino,visit to Chianti winery(Badia a Coltibuono?)PM,return car.Too ambitious? Just Mantalcino? RR
Montalcino if a good 2 hours from Firenze Centro so I think 2 wineries and lunch is possible if both are in Montalcino or near the ss2. Badia Coltibuono would be about an hour detour off the Si Fi super strada. I would do say, Pertimali or Le Chiuse as the first stop, and Ciacci Piccolomoni as the second. You would get the bonus of a visit to Saint Antimo. Lunch could be Bocon di Vino or in town (Grappolo Blu or Osteria Porto al Cassero are both great). I think there is also a recommended spot called Pane e Vino??? on the road up to Montalcino
Robert, did you ever think of having a driver take you around.. not sure what the cost of a car rental is for the day.. but if you want to avoid the hassle and drink and taste to your hearts delight.. there are many companies who will pick you up in Florence, go to the wineries you want or ones they know etc and return you to Florence. I arrange this for my clients as part of my "Villas and Vino" program and would be happy to refer you to some of my very knowledgable drivers.. Rate is approx 150-200 Euros per person. I know there are also others listed on the slowtrav website..... just a thought...
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