Chianti Wine Region
Chianti
The Black Rooster wine region between Florence and Siena. Drive the SR222 “Chianti Road” through vineyards and olive groves, then taste Chianti Classico and enjoy a Tuscan lunch at a winery.
Chianti is Tuscany’s most famous wine region, in the hills between Florence and Siena. It is known for Chianti Classico, made mainly from Sangiovese grapes, with a black rooster on each bottle label. The region is dotted with medieval castles, wineries in converted monasteries, and stone villages. The classic route is to drive SR222, the Via Chiantigiana, from Florence heading south through Greve in Chianti, with its triangular central square and famous Falorni butcher shop; Panzano, where butcher Dario Cecchini’s restaurant serves Florentine steak; Radda; and Castellina, all the way to Siena. The full route is about 70 km. Vineyards, cypresses, and olive groves alternate along the way, and every few kilometers there is a winery open to visitors. Recommended wineries include Castello di Brolio, birthplace of Chianti Classico, where you can visit the castle and gardens; Castello di Verrazzano; Antinori nel Chianti Classico, a modern architectural winery where guided visits start at about 40 euros and reservations are required; and the Badia a Passignano abbey winery. Most wineries offer tastings of 3–5 wines with cheese and cured meats for 15–40 euros, or guided visits with lunch for 60–100 euros, and these should be booked in advance through the website or by email. If you cannot drive, you can join a half-day or full-day winery tour from Florence, including tastings at two wineries and lunch, for about 70–120 euros, or take bus 365 to Greve. It is recommended to stay a night at a winery or farmhouse to see the vineyards at sunset. Italy enforces strict drink-driving rules (blood alcohol limit 0.5‰), so if you drive, someone else in the group should not drink. Some wineries do not receive visitors during the autumn harvest. Wine purchases can be shipped internationally through the winery.
Opening hours
Wineries mostly 10:00–18:00; reservations required; some closed Sundays
Nearby sights
- Monteriggioni
- San Miniato al Monte
- Piazzale Michelangelo
- Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens
- Basilica of Santa Croce
- Museo Galileo
- Uffizi Gallery
- Ponte Vecchio