Tasting Tour in One of The Most Beautiful Cellars in the World

Nestled in the heart of Montepulciano’s rich wine heritage, a captivating tasting tour awaits. Explore an 11th-century cellar carved from sandy tufa rock, where large oak barrels age acclaimed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Guided by knowledgeable experts, savor 3-6 exquisite local wines, including Supertuscan and Nobile varietals, perfectly paired with Tuscan specialties. Discover the De Ricci family’s winemaking legacy and be immersed in an unforgettable underground experience. What secrets lie within these ancient walls?

Key Points

• Experience a small-group tasting tour exploring the historic 11th-century wine cellar in Montepulciano, featuring Supertuscan, Nobile, and Nobile Riserva wines.
• Discover the unique underground setting carved from sandy "tufa" rock, which enhances the atmospheric experience of the family-owned winery.
• Enjoy a guided tour that provides insights into the local winemaking traditions and the De Ricci family’s enduring legacy of wine production.
• Savor a tasting of 3-6 local wines paired with Tuscan specialties, showcasing the complexity and depth of the region’s terroir.
• The tour offers a 95% traveler recommendation and Badge of Excellence, making it an intimate and immersive exploration of Montepulciano’s wine heritage.

The Renowned Montepulciano Tasting Tour

As one explores the historic wine region of Montepulciano, Italy, the acclaimed Tasting Tour stands out as a must-do experience.

With a 95% traveler recommendation and a Badge of Excellence, this small-group tour offers an intimate journey through the area’s wine heritage.

Visitors will explore a remarkable 11th-century wine cellar, learning about local winemaking traditions and the De Ricci family history.

The tasting experience itself features 3-6 local wines, including renowned Supertuscans and Nobile di Montepulciano, paired with Tuscan specialties.

Engaging guides and the unique underground setting create an unforgettable encounter for oenophiles.

Exploring the Historic Wine Cellar

Descending into the historic wine cellar, visitors are transported back in time. The rows of large oak barrels aging Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and other wines create an atmospheric setting, dating back to the 11th or 12th century. Guests learn about the local winemaking traditions and the De Ricci family history in this unique underground cavern carved from sandy "tufa" rock.

| Features | Details |

| — | — |

| Cellar Type | Historic, carved from "tufa" rock |

| Age | 11th or 12th century |

| Barrel Aging | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, other wines |

| Highlight | Unique, atmospheric underground setting |

The tasting experience provides a generous and informative glimpse into the world of Montepulciano’s renowned wines.

Discovering the De Ricci Family Legacy

While exploring the historic wine cellar, visitors uncover the captivating legacy of the De Ricci family. This family-owned winery boasts a rich history dating back generations.

Guests learn about:

1. The De Ricci family’s winemaking traditions, passed down over centuries.
2. The unique underground cavern, carved from sandy "tufa" rock, which has housed their cellars since the 11th or 12th century.
3. The careful aging process of their acclaimed Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and other renowned Tuscan wines within the towering oak barrels.

This immersive experience provides a fascinating glimpse into the enduring legacy that continues to shape the wines of this historic estate.

Tasting Tuscany’s Finest: The Wine Selection

During the tasting experience, visitors sample a carefully curated selection of 3-6 local wines. Typically, the tasting features Supertuscan, Nobile, and Nobile Riserva varietals.

The knowledgeable guide pairs the wines with Tuscan specialties like bruschetta with extra-virgin olive oil, providing a generous and informative tasting. Guests learn about the winemaking traditions and the De Ricci family history as they sip and savor the complex flavors in the unique underground cellar setting.

The tasting offers an immersive and memorable way to explore the rich viticultural heritage of the Montepulciano region.

Pairing Perfection: Tuscan Specialties and Local Wines

As visitors descend into the historic wine cellar, they’re greeted with the opportunity to pair the region’s finest local wines with classic Tuscan specialties.

The tasting experience includes:

1. Sampling 3-6 local wines, such as Supertuscan, Nobile, and Nobile Riserva.
2. Enjoying these wines alongside Tuscan bruschetta topped with extra-virgin olive oil.
3. Engaging in a generous and informative tasting, with knowledgeable guides providing insights into the winemaking traditions and De Ricci family history.

This harmonious pairing allows guests to fully appreciate the depth and complexity of the local terroir, creating a truly memorable tasting adventure.

An Immersive Underground Experience

Descending into the historic wine cellar, visitors are transported to a captivating underground realm.

Rows of large oak barrels line the sandy "tufa" rock walls, aging the renowned Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Guests learn about the local winemaking traditions and the De Ricci family’s rich history, immersed in the unique cavern setting dating back to the 11th or 12th century.

The experience offers a chance to taste 3-6 local wines, including Supertuscans and Nobile Riserva, paired with Tuscan specialties like bruschetta.

This intimate tasting showcases the region’s winemaking heritage, offering 3-6 local wines paired with Tuscan specialties.

This intimate, informative tasting showcases the region’s winemaking heritage in an underground oenological wonderland.

Accessibility and Booking Details

Is the Tasting Tour in Montepulciano wheelchair accessible? Unfortunately, no. The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible due to the historic underground wine cellar setting.

However, there are a few key details to consider when booking this experience:

1. A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
2. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start of the tour.
3. Transportation to and from the meeting point isn’t included, but there are recommended parking options nearby at Parking S. Donato or Parking P8.

Confirmation is received at the time of booking.

Customer Testimonials and Feedback

With an average rating of 4.8 out of 229 reviews, the Tasting Tour in Montepulciano has received overwhelmingly positive customer feedback. Highlights include the engaging guides, unique cellar experience, and delicious wines. Some criticism points to wine quality and tour length. Overall, guests praise the historical storytelling and intimate setting. Take a look at the summary of customer reviews:

| Positive Feedback | Neutral Feedback | Negative Feedback |

| — | — | — |

| Engaging guides | Tour length | Wine quality |

| Unique cellar experience | – | – |

| Delicious wines | – | – |

| Historical storytelling | – | – |

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Is the Tour and Wine Tasting Experience?

The tour and wine tasting experience lasts 3–6 hours, with guests tasting 3–6 local wines, including Supertuscan, Nobile, and Nobile Riserva, paired with Tuscan specialties in a historic underground wine cellar setting.

Can the Tour Be Customized for a Private Group?

The tour can be customized for private groups, but a minimum of 2 people per booking is required. The small group experience has a maximum of 15 travelers and offers a generous, informative tasting experience with local wines and Tuscan specialties.

What Is the Dress Code for the Wine Cellar Tour?

The tour doesn’t have a strict dress code, but visitors should wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and dress in layers as the wine cellar is an underground setting with a cool, consistent temperature. Casual, weather-appropriate attire is recommended.

Are Children Allowed on the Tour?

The tour is suitable for ages 18+ only. Children are not allowed, as the experience focuses on wine tasting. The tour operator requires all participants to be of legal drinking age in the local jurisdiction.

Can I Purchase Bottles of Wine From the Cellar?

Yes, visitors can purchase bottles of wine from the cellar. The tasting tour includes an opportunity to purchase the local wines you’ve sampled, so you can enjoy them at home.

The Sum Up

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Montepulciano’s rich wine heritage. Explore the captivating 11th-century cellar, where the De Ricci family’s winemaking legacy comes to life. Savor a selection of exquisite local wines, perfectly paired with Tuscan specialties, for an immersive underground experience you won’t soon forget. Accessibility and booking details make this tasting tour a must-visit for wine enthusiasts.