Montepulciano Food Tour: Local Wine, Cheese & Cellar Tasting

Summary

Walk Montepulciano’s alleys tasting wine cheese & pici pasta

You’ll wander Montepulciano’s historic center with a local guide, tasting Pecorino cheese from Pienza, handmade pici pasta, salami, and bruschetta with fresh olive oil. Explore an ancient underground wine cellar and sample Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG—plus plenty of stories along the way.

What’s the experience like?

“Here, you never rush the Pecorino,” our guide Francesca grinned as she sliced into a wheel right in front of us. I’d never thought much about cheese texture before, but there was this faint grassy smell and the rind felt almost waxy under my thumb. We’d only just started our gourmet walk through Montepulciano’s old town center and already I was thinking—maybe lunch should always start with cheese.

The streets here are narrow and kind of echoey, especially when someone laughs (which happened a lot—Francesca has this way of making you feel like you’re in on every local joke). We ducked into a little shop for salami and bruschetta drizzled with olive oil so green it looked fake. I tried to ask about the olive harvest in my best Italian; the shop owner just smiled and handed me another piece. The main keyword for this tour is definitely “food”—but honestly it’s also about people letting you in for a minute.

I didn’t expect the underground wine cellar to be so cool and quiet. The stone walls made everything smell faintly earthy, like wet leaves after rain. Tasting Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG down there felt different—less like a tourist thing, more like some old ritual. Francesca explained how the barrels have been there longer than most of us have been alive. I still think about that view from the cellar steps: rooftops stacked up against the sky, sunlight bouncing off terracotta tiles. It wasn’t perfect weather but somehow that made it better—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Gourmet walk in Montepulciano

• A guided gourmet walk in historic center
• Taste local specialties at product store
• Lunch at traditional restaurant
• Visit underground wine cellar

Top questions

How long does the Montepulciano food tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified, but it covers several stops around Montepulciano’s old town center including tastings and a guided cellar visit.

Is there a wine tasting included on this tour?

Yes, you’ll visit an underground historical cellar for a guided tasting of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.

What foods are tasted during the gourmet walk?

You’ll taste Pecorino cheese from Pienza, handmade pici pasta, local salami, and bruschetta topped with extra virgin olive oil.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Does the tour include a local guide?

Yes, an expert local guide leads the walk through Montepulciano’s historic center.

Are public transportation options nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the meeting point.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through Montepulciano’s old town center with stops at local tasting points for Pecorino cheese from Pienza, handmade pici pasta, salami, and bruschetta with extra virgin olive oil. You’ll also enjoy a guided visit to an underground historical wine cellar with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG tasting—and leave with a small Valdichiana Living gadget as a keepsake.