Hi all! My husband and I are travelling to Tuscany for a few weeks in June. Our daughter is getting married outside of Siena (so exciting!) and we have a few days before and after. Before the wedding, we are staying in northern Chianti, just outside of Florence. After the wedding, we are staying south of Siena, in Torrita di Siena. We’d like to spend those days exploring a bit off the beaten track. An ideal day would include a beautiful drive on back roads, a visit to a winery or two, peeking into random churches, and a delicious and simple lunch outside in the coutryside or a small town. First, would very much appreciate recs for wineries and restaurants in northern Chianti or even to the east or west a bit. And second, the same for the Val d’Orcia. Finally, we are planning to explore to the east a bit, heading toward Arezzo, Sanselpocro, etc., seeking out the works of Piero della Francesca. Any suggestions for lunch along that route? Many many thanks!
It’s been 18 years, but my favorite Chianti town then was Castellina. I don’t know if it’s gotten too touristy now, but at least a place to consider if you get input from people who have been more recently.
Can you share the closest town you’ll be staying on the front end?
Strada in Chianti.
Thank you, Marshall!
I haven’t been since the early 2000’s but Badia a Coltibuono was one of my favorite visits. The grounds are gorgeous, great restaurant, wines, oils/vinegars.
You should check out the many Tuscany/Chianti threads that have a lot of recs on wineries, etc.
We had a very nice lunch at Taverna Squarcialupi, Typical Tuscan restaurant nestled in Castellina In Chianti, Siena, Tuscany
It was raining, but it looked like they had a nice outside terrace overlooking the valley.
Ristorante Albergaccio di Castellina:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/t25kMubU8zPNW22x8
Montefioralle is a cute town to walk around.
San Casciano:
Magazzino del Gusto https://maps.app.goo.gl/47w52RHU5tWMaW1T6
Terre di Perseto https://maps.app.goo.gl/H6fNSRAR6uRLpnrk6
La Sala del Torriano https://maps.app.goo.gl/SbkADfKcpnNCFEsa7
Lamole:
Le Masse di Lamole https://maps.app.goo.gl/qxkPuvNXEbszW8w5A
Dudda:
Botteghina di Dudda https://maps.app.goo.gl/bHKN21xTDTSWQorB7
Radda:
Osteria il Rifugio del Chianti https://maps.app.goo.gl/FiTN8im2cArFjCbr7
Fattoria Poggerino https://maps.app.goo.gl/p99pFpQ6Zx2x848R7
La Vin’Osteria https://maps.app.goo.gl/hvFfBKbnMkt6tT5g6
Lecchi:
Ristorante Malborghetto dal 1999 in Lecchi in Chianti
https://maps.app.goo.gl/AihtL283JdHMzoZX6
Thank you, Patrick! Can’t wait to look all of these up! I love the planning process. Almost as good as being there!
Thank you, Josh! I have Montefioralle on my list and it’s great to have a real life rec.
Thank you, Stephen! I have been enthusiastically perusing the threads, and all of these recs specific to where we will be are so helpful.
Thank you, Abbie. This place is stunning. Putting it on my list for sure.
Not quaint by any means but the Antinori headquarters is a pretty stunning facility just a bit south of Florence. It was quite controversial when built as the architecture is quite modern and the entire winery is built into the hillside. It is worth seeing in my opinion, There is a nice outdoor restuarant where you can get lunch and enoy a glass of Tignanello.
In Strada In Chianti there is a great traditional restaurant called Padellina, also Locanda del gallo in Chiocchio and Ristoro di Lamole . Enoteca Baldi in Panzano and Dario Cecchini’s places there. In Torrita I am not sure but you are close to Montepulciano so plenty of options there
Drive down to Pienza…the view will take your breath away. Then swing over to Montalcino and get a tasting at Enotecca La Fortezza. Once the owner figures out you are seriously into wine, new tastings magically appear.
Thank you!
Thank you!
I’ve been so curious about this place!