Montepulciano is a medieval hill town in southern Tuscany, about 65 km south-east of Siena. Its wine — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG — is one of Italy’s oldest designated appellations, made primarily from Sangiovese (called Prugnolo Gentile locally) and aged for a minimum of two years. The town is compact and walkable, its cellars cut directly into the volcanic tufa beneath the historic centre. Five family estates worth visiting for tastings are listed below.
Talosa
Talosa is a 33-hectare estate in Via Pietrose, owned by the Jacorossi family. The estate produces Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Chianti dei Colli Senesi DOC and extra-virgin olive oil. Its historic cellar opens onto Piazza Grande — the main square of Montepulciano — and can be visited without charge. Strict cultivation and hand-harvesting practices are standard across the estate.
Gattavecchi (Cantina Gattavecchi)
Located in Via di Collazzi, the Gattavecchi family have produced wine in Montepulciano for over a hundred years. The winery describes its approach as innovation balanced with deep respect for tradition and land — a formula applied across its DOC and DOCG range: Rosso di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Riserva bottlings.
Three tasting options are offered: two wines for €10; two Vino Nobile wines with local cheese, cold cuts and bread for €15; three Riserva wines with cheese, cold cuts and bread for €18. Beyond tastings, the estate runs a kitchen (“Lilian’s Kitchen”) with menus pairing wines and extra-virgin olive oil with local specialities.
Contucci
Contucci in Via del Teatro has the longest documented history of the five — the family’s wine production is traceable to at least the early 18th century, and a 1773 document names the Contucci among the “putative fathers” of Vino di Montepulciano. The estate has produced continuously for over a thousand years under various owners. Its wines include Sansovino, Rosso di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and extra-virgin olive oil. The cellar — vaulted brick arches lined with large barrels — is free to visit.
Tenuta Valdipiatta
Tenuta Valdipiatta in Via Della Ciarliana occupies a 75-hectare hilltop property with over 30 hectares of vineyards, giving it a panoramic position that makes the estate picturesque even before you taste anything. Founded in the 1980s by Giulio Caporali, the estate uses a philosophy of technical precision combined with respect for the land. Its DOCG and DOC wines include Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, the single-vineyard Vigna Alfiero, Vino Nobile Riserva, Rosso di Montepulciano and Vin Santo di Montepulciano.
Avignonesi
The largest and most visitor-focused estate in the zone, Avignonesi occupies Via Colonica and is now owned by Virginie Saverys, a Belgian entrepreneur who converted the estate to biodynamic and organic farming. The approach is explicitly terroir-driven: no herbicides or pesticides, vine management calibrated to express the specific character of each plot.
Tours and tastings run from May through October and include a walk through the vineyards, a visit to the cellars showing the wine-making process from fermentation through ageing, and a tasting of five or more wines. The estate also offers wine and Ferrari driving tours, cooking classes with wine-paired lunch, and hot-air balloon tours with wine-paired brunch. The flagship wine is Vin Santo di Pernice, produced from Grechetto Bianco grapes dried for three years before pressing — one of the most intense and longest-aged Vin Santo productions in Tuscany. The regular range includes Rosso di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Vin Santo di Montepulciano.
Practical Information
Montepulciano’s wineries are mostly clustered in and immediately around the historic centre — the town’s geography means you can walk between several of them. Tastings at Contucci and Talosa are offered free of charge; Gattavecchi and Avignonesi charge per session. Book Avignonesi tours in advance. A half-day visits two or three estates comfortably; a full day allows for lunch in the town and a drive through the surrounding countryside to appreciate the vineyards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a DOCG red wine made primarily from Sangiovese (locally called Prugnolo Gentile) grown around the hill town of Montepulciano in southern Tuscany. It must be aged for a minimum of two years (three for Riserva), at least one of which in wood. It is related to Chianti Classico but tends to be fuller-bodied with more tannin and a distinctive earthy character.
Is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano the same as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo?
No. Despite the similar name, they are completely different wines from different regions. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a Tuscan wine made primarily from Sangiovese. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is made from the Montepulciano grape variety grown in the Abruzzo region of central-eastern Italy.
Do the wineries require reservations?
Contucci and Talosa can generally be visited without a reservation — their cellars are open during standard hours. Gattavecchi is best booked in advance for the kitchen menus. Avignonesi requires advance booking for all tours and tastings, especially in summer.
How far is Montepulciano from Siena or Florence?
Montepulciano is about 65 km south-east of Siena — roughly one hour by car. From Florence the drive is around 120 km, about 1 hour 30 minutes. There are no direct trains; bus connections run from Chiusi-Chianciano Terme station (on the Florence-Rome line).
What other wines are made near Montepulciano?
The surrounding Val d’Orcia area also produces Brunello di Montalcino (to the west in Montalcino) and Morellino di Scansano (further south). The local DOC Rosso di Montepulciano is the lighter, younger sibling of Vino Nobile and is usually better value for everyday drinking.
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