Montalcino & Montepulciano: Brunello & Nobile Wine Day Tour

Summary

Rolling Tuscan hills, Sangiovese wines, and Pienza’s quiet streets

You’ll wind through Val d’Orcia’s golden hills with a local guide, sample Brunello and Nobile wines right where they’re made, walk Montepulciano’s cobbled lanes, and taste fresh pecorino in Pienza. Expect laughter over lunch and landscapes that linger long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Val d'Orcia and Wine Towns

• Pass by Val d'Orcia valley
• Visit Montalcino wine town
• Discover Montepulciano historic center
• Walk cobblestone streets of Pienza
• Taste local Pecorino cheese

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included on this Montalcino & Montepulciano wine tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your day trip booking.

Are wine tastings part of this private tour?

Yes, guided tastings of Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano wines are included.

Is lunch provided during the wine lover tour?

A traditional lunch is included, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available if requested at booking.

Will we visit Pienza on this itinerary?

Yes, there is a stop in Pienza for exploring and sampling local pecorino cheese.

Is this day trip suitable for travelers with limited mobility?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and infant seats are available upon request.

How long does it take to reach Montalcino from Siena?

The drive from Siena to Montalcino typically takes about one hour by minivan.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minivan, a private driver-guide offering live commentary throughout Val d’Orcia’s scenic routes, guided tours in Montalcino and Montepulciano with tastings of Brunello and Nobile wines at local producers’ cellars, a traditional lunch (with vegetarian or gluten-free options if needed), plus time to explore Pienza — complete with a tasting of its famous pecorino cheese before heading back.

What’s the experience like?

We set out from Siena early, still half-asleep, but the drive into Val d’Orcia woke me up fast — those hills really do look like someone painted them. Our guide, Marco, had this habit of slowing down just so we could catch the light shifting over the fields. He told us stories about movie scenes filmed here (I kept looking for Russell Crowe in the wheat). The van smelled faintly of espresso and dust from our shoes — somehow comforting.

Montalcino was our first stop. I’d read about Brunello wines before but tasting them at the source is different — deeper somehow? We met Lucia at her family’s winery; she poured with this easy pride and laughed when I tried to pronounce “Sangiovese Grosso.” The cellar was cool and earthy, almost echoey. I’m not sure if it was the wine or just being there, but everything felt a bit softer around the edges. Lunch came with more local reds and a view that made us forget to check our phones for once.

Later in Montepulciano, the old stones felt warm under my hands. There’s a kind of hush in those narrow streets — except when a Vespa zipped past or someone called out buongiorno from a doorway. Our guide pointed out details in the architecture I’d have missed (apparently Renaissance harmony is a thing you can feel). On the way to Pienza we stopped for pecorino cheese; honestly, I’m still thinking about that salty bite paired with honey. By then we were all talking like old friends, which surprised me. Maybe it was just the wine… or maybe Tuscany does that to people.