Lucca: Tuscan Wine Tour by Van with Tastings & Lunch

Summary

Winding through lucca’s hills tasting wine stories and garden flavors

You’ll ride out from Lucca into rolling Tuscan hills for a day of real wine stories: walking vineyards with local farmers, tasting wines straight from cool cellars, then settling in for a countryside lunch matched with garden produce and cheeses. Expect laughter, honest flavors, and small surprises along the way—plus pickup and plenty of snacks to keep you going.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you open the van door and the air just smells different? That was my first moment outside Lucca — a kind of green, peppery scent I can’t really name. Our guide, Paolo, waved us in like we were old friends (he actually remembered everyone’s names, which still impresses me). The drive out of town was all olive trees and those soft hills that look fake until you see them up close. I kept thinking, “I should’ve had more breakfast,” because Paolo warned us: the wine starts early.

The first winery felt like someone’s backyard — chickens somewhere out of sight, a dog asleep under a fig tree. We wandered between rows of vines while the owner explained why his grapes taste “a little wild” (his words). I tried to repeat the grape variety in Italian; he grinned and corrected me gently. Inside the cellar it was cool and earthy — barrels everywhere, dust motes in the light. Tasting the wine right there, it was sharper than I expected. Maybe it was just being there that made it feel special.

After that came another short drive — Paolo telling stories about Lucca’s winemaking families while we passed fields with scarecrows dressed better than I do most days. The second winery had this long table set up outside with mismatched chairs and plates stacked high. Each wine came with something from their garden or a wedge of pecorino cheese (that cheese… I still think about it). There was laughter when I tried to say “salumi” properly — pretty sure I butchered it. No one minded. Sun on my arms, glass in hand, people talking over each other about which bottle they liked best — honestly, that part could’ve lasted all afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit wineries and enjoy lunch

• Pick up in Lucca by van
• Drive through Tuscan hills
• Walk in vineyard and visit cellar
• Learn about winemaking process
• Relax and enjoy light lunch
• Taste wines with local specialties

Top questions

How many wineries do we visit on this Lucca wine tour?

The tour visits two different wineries near Lucca.

Is pickup included for this Tuscan wine tour?

Yes, pickup in Lucca is included with your booking.

Are food allergies or preferences accommodated?

You can let them know about allergies or food preferences when booking.

What foods are served during the winery lunch?

The lunch includes products from the garden plus specialties like salami and pecorino cheese from Tuscany.

Is this Lucca wine tour suitable for families?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; infants and children can join using strollers or infant seats.

How long is each stop at the wineries?

The exact timing isn’t specified but there’s time for vineyard walks, cellar visits, tastings, and lunch at each stop.

Is transportation air-conditioned?

Yes, transportation is provided by an air-conditioned van.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in Lucca by air-conditioned van, guided tours through two Tuscan wineries with vineyard walks and cellar visits, plenty of bottled water to keep you going between tastings, generous pours of local wines at both stops (starting early!), snacks along the way plus a light countryside lunch featuring fresh garden produce and regional specialties like salami and pecorino cheese before heading back to town together.