San Gimignano: Private Wine & Olive Oil Tasting Lunch

Summary

Organic wines olive oils and Tuscan lunch near medieval towers

You’ll join a Tuscan family just outside San Gimignano for an easygoing day: walk through vineyards, taste organic wines and six types of olive oil, and enjoy a homemade lunch under the sun. Expect laughter over local cheeses and real stories behind every glass—and maybe find yourself wishing you could stay longer.

What’s the experience like?

“Here, we let the vines do most of the talking,” Paolo grinned, waving his arm at the rows of Vernaccia grapes just outside San Gimignano. I liked him right away—he had that farmer’s tan and a way of explaining biodynamic farming that didn’t sound rehearsed. The air smelled faintly grassy, with something sharper underneath—maybe the olive trees? It was warmer than I expected for spring, but not in a bad way. We stood there for a bit while he told us how his family started all this, and I remember thinking how different it felt from any big winery tour I’d done before.

Lunch was set on a long wooden table under some kind of old pergola (I never know what’s growing overhead—wisteria? Grapevines?). There was bruschetta with their own extra virgin olive oil—six kinds, which seemed excessive until you actually taste them side by side. Paolo’s sister, Marta, poured our first glass of Vernaccia and laughed when I tried to pronounce “crostini.” She showed us how to match each oil or balsamic with whatever was on our plate. The cheese was from down the road, she said, and the cold cuts were from Casa Porciatti—I think I ate more than my share. There was this one pasta sauce—tomato but somehow sweeter?—that I still think about.

The wine tasting part felt relaxed, not like those rushed tastings where you barely get a sip before moving on. We tried four or maybe five different organic wines (I lost count after the Chianti Colli Senesi), each poured slowly with these little stories about the land or their grandfather’s favorite blend. At one point, the breeze picked up and you could hear church bells from San Gimignano in the distance. It made me want to linger longer than we probably should have. So yeah, if you’re looking for a private wine & oil tasting day trip from San Gimignano that doesn’t feel staged… this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wine and oil tasting with Tuscan lunch

• Introduction to farm and vineyard
• Taste 4-5 organic wines
• Taste 6 extra virgin olive oils
• Taste 3 balsamic vinegars
• Enjoy 4-course Tuscan lunch

Top questions

How far is the winery from San Gimignano town center?

The winery is just a few minutes’ drive from San Gimignano town center.

Is lunch included in this private wine & oil tasting?

Yes, a traditional four-course Tuscan lunch is included with your tasting.

Can vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions join?

Yes, but please advise of dietary restrictions at time of booking.

Are children or infants allowed on this tour?

Infants and small children can join; strollers are welcome.

Is this experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the farm is wheelchair accessible for guests who need it.

What wines are included in the tasting?

You’ll taste at least four organic wines such as Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Chianti Colli Senesi.

Who guides the experience?

An Italian or English-speaking family member will guide your visit personally.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed during your visit.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water on arrival, an unhurried wine tasting of four to five organic wines straight from Podere La Marronaia’s vineyards, six varieties of extra virgin olive oils (including flavored ones), three balsamic vinegars paired with food throughout a leisurely four-course Tuscan lunch—all guided by a welcoming local family member just outside San Gimignano.