Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of Italy's great wines. Here's where to taste it best — from ancient city-centre cellars to hilltop estates with panoramic views.
The Ultimate Guide to Wine Tasting in Montepulciano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano — made from the Prugnolo Gentile grape (a local clone of Sangiovese) — has been produced in these hills since at least the 8th century. The poet Francesco Redi called it "king of all wines" in 1685, and it's been earning the title ever since.
Here's where to taste it best.
In the Historic Centre
**1. Cantina de' Ricci** · 📍 Map
One of the oldest and most atmospheric cellars in Montepulciano, built directly into the tufa rock beneath the town. The labyrinthine cellars extend for hundreds of metres, housing historic amphoras alongside modern steel tanks. Their flagship Vino Nobile Riserva is consistently excellent.
What to book: the classic historic-cellar visit and tasting is 75 minutes, with either 3 or 6 wines and a small plate of local products (€20/€30). For a deeper Sangiovese tasting, the "In Purezza" experience pours 4 Sangiovese-based wines over 75 minutes (€50). They also run a 3-course vineyard lunch at Tenuta Fontecornino with 4 paired wines, around 2 hours (€75). Reserve ahead, especially for lunch.
The Contucci family has been producing wine here since the 16th century. Their cellars beneath the Palazzo Contucci at the top of Via di Gracciano are among the most historically significant in all of Tuscany. Friendly, unhurried tastings — often with a family member.
What to book: the Contucci Experience lasts about 2 hours and includes Palazzo Contucci, the working historic cellars, the panoramic garden when weather allows, and 4 wines: Rosso di Montepulciano plus 3 Vino Nobile labels. It is €40 with a plate of local cured meats, pecorino and olive oil bread, or €25 with simpler snacks. It runs on selected days from April to early January and needs advance booking.
**3. Avignonesi** · 📍 Map
Once the creative powerhouse of Montepulciano wine, Avignonesi was pioneering biodynamic viticulture before anyone else was talking about it. Their estate outside town (San Felice) offers excellent tours and the chance to taste their legendary Occhio di Pernice vin santo.
What to book: choose between a relaxed tasting of 4 wines in the wine shop or on the terrace, a vineyard visit and tasting that includes the La Stella and La Tonda vineyards plus 4 wines, or the Grand Experience: vineyards, historic cellars and a roughly 3-hour restaurant lunch with 9 Avignonesi wines. Vin Santo, cheese and cured-meat additions are available on request. Prices are confirmed through their booking system.
On the Wine Road (Strada del Vino)
My personal favourite winery in the area. Caterina Dei makes wines of extraordinary elegance — her Vino Nobile is consistently one of the best in the DOCG, and the visit is personal and unhurried. The estate sits on a quiet road just outside town with gorgeous vineyard views. Book a morning slot and give yourself time to linger.
What to book: the EnoTour is the right starting point: a 1 hour 15 minute guided visit through the dramatic contemporary cellar, followed by a tasting of Dei wines. Tastings can be kept simple or expanded with local products, and the visit can be paired with lunch or dinner at their restaurant. Prices are not always published clearly online, so book directly and confirm the current tasting or restaurant option.
Run by Swiss owner Rudolf Bindella with Swiss-level attention to detail. The vineyards are farmed organically, the wines are clean and structured, and the Vallocaia estate makes for one of the most pleasant visits in the area. The single-vineyard "I Quadri" Vino Nobile is exceptional in good years. Stay for lunch if you can — the food matches the wine.
What to book: Bindella is one of the easiest estates to build a proper half-day around. The guided tour plus 4 wines and olive oil is 1.5 hours (€27); the 5-wine version is 2 hours (€35); the 6-wine version is €42. Lunch is by reservation, usually Monday to Friday: the seasonal 4-wine lunch is about 3 hours (€75), and there is a larger 6-wine lunch option around €145. If you do not want a full tour, you can also come for the restaurant, wines by the glass or a lighter pairing.
Named after the Renaissance poet born in Montepulciano, Poliziano is one of the top producers in the DOCG. Their Asinone cru is among the finest single-vineyard Vino Nobiles you'll find. Stunning location with panoramic tasting room.
What to book: Poliziano structures tastings by depth. The core tasting, "Essenza del Terroir", includes 5 wines and is €35 without a tour (about 1 hour) or €45 with a tour (about 2 hours). Higher-level tastings move into producer signatures and more detailed vineyard expressions, from roughly €55 without a tour and €65 with a tour. Book ahead; visits are reservation-only.
**7. Boscarelli** · 📍 Map
A family winery of great integrity, producing both traditional and modern-style Vino Nobile. The De Ferrari family have been farming these specific plots for generations. Tastings are personal and illuminating.
What to book: this is more small-family winery than polished hospitality machine. Their wine tour usually means vineyards, the winery and a guided tasting, with reservations required. They do open on some weekends, but do not rely on walking in. Contact them directly for the current tasting format, timing and price.
The most forward-thinking producer in the appellation. Salcheto has invested heavily in sustainability — they produce zero net CO2 and track environmental impact with forensic precision. The wines are equally precise: taut, mineral, long. Excellent value.
What to book: cellar tours and the wine shop are open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, including holidays. Options range from standard cellar visits to vertical tastings of old vintages, private winemaker tours and blind tastings. Their Indigeno restaurant is useful if you want to make it a longer visit; in summer it generally opens for lunch and dinner except Tuesdays. Confirm current tasting and restaurant prices when booking.
Hidden Gems Worth Seeking Out
A small, artisan producer that flies below most tourists' radar. The Crociani family makes tiny quantities of outstanding Vino Nobile from old vines. Tastings are by appointment and utterly authentic — you'll likely taste in the working cantina with the winemaker present.
What to book: book by email rather than expecting a fixed tourist timetable. The appeal here is the old-school cellar tasting: fewer theatrics, direct conversation, and a chance to understand a small Montepulciano producer at work. Ask what they are pouring that week and whether they can include older vintages or their Vino Nobile Riserva.
A modern estate with a beautiful contemporary tasting room, Icario has emerged as one of the most exciting new voices in Montepulciano. Their entry-level Vitaroccia is remarkable at the price.
What to book: Icario publishes the clearest menu of experiences. Simple tastings start with Silver: 3 wines, about 20 minutes (€20); Gold: 6 wines, about 45 minutes (€30); and Platinum: 7 wines plus DOP olive oil, about 1 hour (€40). Tour-and-tasting options start at €55 for 6 wines and olive oil, or €75 for the fuller 7-wine version with olive oil, grappa and local food. For a meal, "A Taste of Icario" pairs 5 wines with a 3-course lunch (€90), while the full Wine Lunch includes a winery tour, 7 wines and a 4-course lunch (€200).
**11. La Ciarliana** · 📍 Map
Organically farmed estate with a loyal following among Montepulciano insiders. Look for their Vino Nobile and the white Podere La Ciarliana — an unusual but delicious departure from the norm.
What to book: La Ciarliana is good if you want a more playful tasting rather than a formal cellar lecture. Their base "Demo vineyard, winery and wine tour" is 1 hour 30 minutes and listed at €35 per person. They also offer wine-learning games, food-focused tastings such as wine, cheese and extra virgin olive oil, richer merenda-style tours, vertical tastings and even vineyard hikes with a licensed guide. Open hours are typically 9:00 to 18:00, but experiences should be reserved.
**12. Tenute del Cerro** · 📍 Map
Owned by the SAI insurance group, Cerro is the largest producer in the appellation but maintains quality through rigorous selection. Worth visiting for sheer scale — their cellars are spectacular — and for the accessible, well-made range.
What to book: for Fattoria del Cerro, the most straightforward option is the Nobile tasting: a cellar visit, 3 Fattoria del Cerro wines and olive oil, about 1 hour 30 minutes. They also list broader estate experiences, restaurant options and cooking classes. Reservations are handled as requests rather than instant confirmations, so use it when you want a structured visit and are happy to book ahead.
Practical Tips for Wine Tasting in Montepulciano
- Book in advance for anything with lunch, a cellar tour or a named tasting. Walk-ins are mainly for simple enoteca tastings in town.
- Expect €20–€45 for most standard tastings and €75–€200 for lunch pairings or longer estate experiences.
- Allow realistic time: a simple tasting can be 20–45 minutes; a proper tour and tasting is usually 75–120 minutes; lunch pairings are normally 2–3 hours.
- Walk the Corso — many of the historic cellar doors in town offer simple tastings, but the better estate visits need reservations.
- Hire a driver or choose one estate for lunch if you want to drink properly. The wine-road estates are close, but the rural roads are narrow and winding.
- Confirm current pricing when you book. Wineries change menus seasonally, and not all of them publish prices clearly.
As guests at Molino Nobile, we can arrange private winery visits, tastings and lunch pairings at our partner estates, including cellars not normally open to the public. Just ask.
Related Reading
Planning a trip to Montepulciano?
Browse our handpicked villas — pools, vineyard views and everything on your list within easy reach.
