Montepulciano Vineyard Tour with Tuscan Lunch
Swap the crowded lanes of the old town for a quiet corner of the countryside, where a family-run estate in the hamlet of Cervognano pours its Vino Nobile straight from the source. This montepulciano vineyard tour with tuscan lunch is a relaxed 90 minutes of tasting, vineyard walking, and a plate of local salumi and pecorino in a genuinely peaceful setting. If you want the personal, unhurried side of Tuscan wine, see how this experience compares with our other tastings before you book.
About This Vineyard Tour and Lunch
Taste Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and other estate wines poured by the family who makes them.
A small working winery in Cervognano, welcomed by Viola, the owners' daughter.
A light traditional spread of salumi, pecorino and bruschetta paired with the wines.
Vineyard rows and rolling hills, well away from the tourist crowds of the center.
An easy, unhurried visit that fits neatly into a day exploring the Val d'Orcia.
Rated 4.8 by early guests who single out the warm, personal welcome.
Check Live Availability & Prices
Spots at this small family estate are limited, so it pays to check open dates early. The live calendar below shows current availability and the latest price, with free cancellation if your plans shift.
Why Book This Countryside Winery Visit
Most first-time visitors to Montepulciano spend their whole day inside the walls, moving between the enotecas that line the main street. Those tasting rooms are lovely, but they are also busy, and the wine can feel a step removed from where it is grown. This tour takes you in the other direction, out to Cervognano, a small hamlet in the surrounding hills where a single family tends its own vines and makes its own Vino Nobile.
The difference is the setting and the pace. You are welcomed by Viola, one of the owners' daughters, and the tasting unfolds at the speed of a conversation rather than a queue. Because it is a genuine working estate, the wines you pour are the ones grown in the rows outside the door, and the light Tuscan lunch that follows is put together the way a local family would eat it.
What You'll See and Taste
Over the visit you move from vineyard to cellar to table, with plenty of time to ask questions along the way. Expect to sample:
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, the estate's flagship red built around the Prugnolo Gentile grape
- One or two everyday local wines that the family drinks and sells directly
- A walk through the vineyard rows with a look at how the fruit is grown and picked
- The working cellar, where the wine ages in barrel before release
- A light Tuscan lunch of salumi, pecorino cheese and bruschetta
- Honest talk about the vintage, the harvest and life on a small family estate
What's Included (and What Isn't)
What's Included
- Guided welcome and tour of the family estate with Viola
- Walk through the vineyard and a look at the working cellar
- Tasting of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and local wines
- A light traditional Tuscan lunch of salumi, pecorino and bruschetta
- Relaxed, personal setting away from the crowds of the old town
Not Included
- Transport to Cervognano; you will need a car or taxi to reach the estate
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Extra bottles to take home (available to purchase on site)
- Gratuities
What to Expect, Step by Step
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Welcome at the estate
Arrive at the family winery in Cervognano, where Viola greets you and sets the tone for a relaxed, unhurried visit.
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Vineyard walk
Step out among the rows to see where the Prugnolo Gentile grows and hear how the family works the land through the season.
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Into the cellar
Move to the working cellar to see how the wine rests in barrel and learn what separates Vino Nobile from an everyday red.
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The tasting
Settle in to taste Vino Nobile di Montepulciano alongside a couple of local wines, poured and explained by the family.
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Tuscan light lunch
Round things off with a plate of salumi, pecorino and bruschetta chosen to pair with the wines, in a scenic countryside setting.
Important Things to Know Before You Go
The estate sits outside the walls in Cervognano, so a little planning makes the day run smoothly. A few practical points:
- Location: the winery is in the countryside near Cervognano, a short drive from the historic center rather than in town.
- Getting there: you will most likely need a car or a taxi, so confirm the exact meeting point when you book.
- What to bring: comfortable flat shoes for the vineyard ground, a hat and water in summer, and a card for buying bottles.
- What to leave behind: heels or delicate shoes, tight schedules and any expectation of a slick commercial tasting room.
- Timing: the visit runs about 1.5 hours, so it slots easily into a wider day in the Val d'Orcia.
Insider Tips for the Countryside Winery Lunch
A handful of local pointers to get the most from your time at the estate:
- Come hungry but not starving; the lunch is a light Tuscan spread of salumi, pecorino and bruschetta, meant to partner the wine rather than replace a full meal.
- Aim for late May to June or late September to October, when the weather is kind and the vineyard looks its best.
- If you can, time your visit for the vendemmia in late September or October, when the harvest makes the vineyards most atmospheric.
- In July and August the heat peaks, so bring sun cover and water for the vineyard walk and go earlier in the day if you can.
- Ask about Vino Nobile itself; it is built mostly from Prugnolo Gentile, a Sangiovese clone, and was one of Italy's first DOCG wines back in 1980.
- Build a wider loop while you are out here: Pienza nearby is famous for pecorino, Montalcino for Brunello, and the whole Val d'Orcia is a UNESCO landscape.
Where the Estate Is
Who This Tour Is For
This visit suits travelers who want the authentic, personal side of Tuscan wine rather than a polished commercial tasting. It is a good fit if you are:
- Curious about Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and want to taste it where it is grown
- Happy to drive or take a taxi out to the countryside for something quieter
- Looking for a warm, family-run welcome over a slick tasting room
- Planning a wider day around the Val d'Orcia, Pienza or Montalcino
Not ideal for
- Travelers without transport who want to stay within walking distance of the old town
- Large groups after a big sit-down meal rather than a light tasting lunch
- Anyone on a very tight schedule with no room for a countryside drive
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cervognano and how do I get there?
Cervognano is a small hamlet in the Montepulciano countryside, a short drive from the historic center. There is no easy walk from town, so plan to arrive by car or taxi and confirm the exact meeting point when you book. If you would rather stay closer to the walls, you can compare this with our other tastings and pick one that suits your transport.
What wine will I taste on this tour?
You will taste Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, the estate's flagship red made mostly from Prugnolo Gentile, alongside one or two everyday local wines the family produces. It is a relaxed, personal pour rather than a rushed flight.
Is lunch really included?
Yes. A light traditional Tuscan lunch of local salumi, pecorino cheese and bruschetta is served to pair with the wines. It is a satisfying tasting-style meal rather than a full multi-course dinner.
How long does the experience last?
Plan for about 1.5 hours from welcome to the last pour, which leaves plenty of the day free. Many guests pair it with a stop in Pienza or Montalcino; you can see how it fits alongside our family wine tasting tour.
When is the best time of year to visit?
Late May to June and late September to October are the sweet spots for weather and vineyard views, and the harvest in autumn is especially atmospheric. For more on the wine itself, our Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine tour goes deeper into the grape and its history.
What Guests Say
Getting out to Cervognano was the highlight of our trip. Viola made us feel like family and the Vino Nobile was superb straight from the source.
So much better than the busy tasting rooms in town. The vineyard walk, the cellar and then salumi and pecorino with the wine. Worth the short drive.
A relaxed, genuine family estate. We tasted proper local wines, ate a lovely light lunch and never felt rushed. Bring flat shoes for the vineyard.