Five Chianti Wineries to Visit from Florence

The Chianti wine region begins about 30 minutes south of Florence by car and stretches down through the Sienese hills. The five estates below are among the most accessible from Florence and each offers a different combination of history, landscape, and wine. All require advance booking for tours and tastings.

Castello di Verrazzano

Originally an Etruscan and later a Roman settlement, Verrazzano has been producing wine for close to a thousand years. The estate offers guided tours through the vineyards and cellars, followed by tastings of the estate’s Chianti Classico. The castle itself — birthplace of explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, after whom the New York bridge is named — adds historical context to the visit.

Castello di Brolio

The Ricasoli family has owned Brolio since the 12th century, making it one of the longest continuously family-operated estates in Italy. Baron Bettino Ricasoli is credited with developing the modern Chianti formula in the 19th century. The estate offers tours of the castle, gardens, and museum, as well as wine tastings. The views over the Sienese countryside from the castle walls are among the best in Chianti.

Castello del Trebbio

A historic estate combining wine and olive oil production, with tour options that cover both. The setting is quieter and less well-known than Brolio or Verrazzano, which suits visitors looking for a less crowded experience. Tastings include both the estate’s Chianti and its extra-virgin olive oil.

Fattoria il Lago

A working farm and winery on the site of an old noble estate, close enough to Florence for a half-day visit. Wine and olive oil production tours are available, and the relaxed pace of the property makes it a good option if you want to spend time in the Tuscan countryside without a tight schedule.

Torre a Cona

A wine estate with a broader activity programme — cooking classes, dinners, and accommodation alongside the standard tastings. Better suited to a longer stay than a day trip, but the wine quality and setting make it worth including for visitors who want to stay in the Chianti countryside rather than returning to Florence each evening.

For guided and chauffeured Chianti wine tours departing from Florence and Siena, including transport between estates, see the full tour options.

Food Producers of Emilia-Romagna

If your interest extends beyond Tuscan wine to Italian food production more broadly, the high-speed train from Florence reaches Bologna in under 40 minutes. A Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar tour from Florence takes you inside working dairies and traditional acetaie in Emilia-Romagna — the region where Italy’s most protected food products are made. A different experience from a winery visit, and one that is difficult to organise independently.