Chianti wine route. In search of the "drunk road"
We managed to come to the famous Chianti Valley in Italy not in the most better weather. You can never trust forecasts... This summer does not please Italy at all with hot and sunny weather, it should be noted. At first we were upset when we saw the sky in clouds. But gradually the blurry landscapes of Tuscany, blurred by high air humidity and periodic rain, simply enchanted us.
The views were like paintings by old masters! It’s as if the bright colors of summer have slightly lost their brightness over time...
I deliberately did not improve the brightness in the photographs using Photoshop.
The first breaths of autumn can already be felt in Italy.
It arrives at the end of October, but already at the end of August we saw slightly yellowed trees.
Endless vineyards with juicy clusters of almost ripe fruits and olive groves on the rounded Tuscan hills - this is the Chianti Valley.
The ancient Etruscans grew grapes here.
Medieval castles and farmhouses, which often house cozy hotels; small wineries where you can try all of the above wines, as well as local sausages and cheeses - you can get stuck here for a long time.
The Chianti Valley produces the famous Classico Chianti wines from Chianti grapes. As well as Brunello di Montalcino and San Giovese wines from San Giovese grapes. The taste of wine varies significantly in different parts of the Chianti Valley.
The Chianti Valley is located within the cities of Prato and Pistoia, and covers an area of about 90,000 hectares. We drove through the central part, called Chianti Classico. In addition to the central part, there are several other areas in the Chianti Valley:
Chianti Montalbano is located near the town of Montalbano north of Florence.
Rufina is located in the northeastern part of the valley.
Colline Fiorentini - south of the central part, in the Siena Hills.
Colline Aretina - east and southeast of the city of Arezzo.
Colline Pisane is west of Chianti Classico, near Pisa.
Coline Montespertoli is located along the hills of Montespertoli in the western part of the valley.
The symbol of Chianti is the black rooster, depicted on all wine bottles and numerous souvenirs. The rooster was elevated to the rank of a symbol in the 13th century, when Siena and Florence were actively sorting out relations over the borders of their territories. Then the black rooster of Florence crowed before that of Siena, bringing victory to his city. (How simply territorial disputes were sometimes resolved in those days...)
After such a “cockerel” victory, the cities of Castellina and Gaiole united into the Military League of Chianti Classico and placed the image of a cockerel on their flag. We drove through the territory of this former league by car.
Classic Tuscan landscapes with cypress trees have never left anyone indifferent.
We stopped literally at every kilometer to take a couple of shots.
The Chianti Valley has amazing, intoxicating fresh air.
In addition to its vineyards, the Chianti Valley is famous for its olive groves and the olive oil produced here.
Sometimes cities and towns suddenly appeared among the vineyards. The capital of Chianti Classico is the city of Greve. Without exception, all the grays in this area are called with the ending “in Chianti”, so most often when communicating in the valley this ending is omitted. seen from afar, it turned out to be quite large, some towers were visible in the central part. We will definitely visit someday!
First impressions are always the strongest. The Italian Chianti Valley in my memory will now forever remain in a shroud of rain.
The sun came out only once, showing what the valley looked like in bright light.
We will definitely come back here in sunny weather!
Traveling through the Chianti Valley and Siena in September is a great trip to historical region Tuscany.
Prices and options for Tuscan travel
- VISA TO ITALY - with delivery
- WHEN -
- TRAVEL INSURANCE ITALY –
- HOW TO GET THERE - the capital of the historical Italian province of Tuscany is Florence, this is where the airport is located, the area is entangled bus routes and railway lines. There is also an international airport in Pisa, from which you can always reach Florence in an hour.
- AIR TICKETS TO TUSCANY –
- TRANSFER —
- TRAIN TO TUSCANY - yes
- BUS TICKETS –
- TRANSPORTATION - while exploring the original towns of Siena and Chianti, you can walk or use public transport To explore all the sights of the region, it is still more convenient to rent a car.
- CAR FOR RENT –
- TRAVEL FRIENDS - to Siena and Chianti
- WEATHER - The climate of Tuscany is quite mild, it is warm here in September, and the average air temperature during the day rarely drops below +24 ... 25 ° C.
- WHERE WE WILL BE - Florence, Radda in Chianti, Badia a Coltibuono, Greve in Chianti, Siena, Collegiate, San Gimignano, Montalcino, Montepulciano, San Agostino.
- EXCURSIONS - to Greve, Gaioli, Florence, Siena, Radda.
- ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD - While vacationing in Siena and Chianti, you can choose a cozy tiny hotel in the cities of Siena, San Gimignano, or Greve in Chianti, accommodation is possible in picturesque rural guest houses-estates. There are many Italian restaurants open in Chianti, where you can get acquainted with national Tuscan cuisine.
- GUIDE GUIDES - .
- HOTELS - , or .
The luxury of Tuscany - the provinces of Chianti and Siena
Can be examined original corners region of Chianti, explore the surroundings of Radda (formerly former capital League of Chianti Towns), there is a medieval abbey nearby called Badia a Coltibuono, and in the evening it is better to go to Siena and have dinner at a restaurant in Piazza del Campo.
Day 4-5 – Siena
Stroll through ancient Siena, visiting the Palazzo Publico, the Duomo, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Civico Museum. On the fifth day, visit Siena's Pinacoteca, explore the interiors of the Church of Santa Catarina, and then head to the ruins of the medieval Abbey of San Galliano.
Day 6-7 - Collegiate, San Gimignano, Montalcino, Montepulciano, San Agostino
On the way back to Florence, visit the charming towns of San Gimignano, Collegiate, Montalcino, San Agostino, Montepulciano, Tuscan villages, and admire the vineyards. , then you can spend the night halfway and continue your trip to Tuscany in the morning.
Upon returning to Florence, our trip through the Chianti Valley and Siena was completed. We didn’t see much in Tuscany, so maybe we’ll come back again. New travels to you!
Chianti Classico is the region between Florence and Siena, which includes the villages of Greve, Panzano, Gaiole, Radda and Castellina.
Greve in Chianti
Greve in Chianti / Shutterstock.com
Our journey cannot fail to begin in Greve, the entrance gate of the Chianti region. This lively town is famous for its quaint triangular square, where local farmers have sold their wares since the Middle Ages. The square is framed by porticoes on all three sides; they provide shelter from the heat or rain while shopping. In the center stands a monument to Giovanni da Verazzano, the designer of New York Harbor. In the narrow part of the square there is medieval church Santa Croce, which houses several masterpieces of ecclesiastical art, including the triptych “Our Lady and Saints” by Bicci di Lorenzo.
In Grezzo you can taste traditional Chianti products and wines. Under the porticoes you will find local artisan shops, wine bars and restaurants. Don't miss the Falorni butcher shop, which offers a range of local delicacies. A stone's throw from the square is the Wine Museum.
Panzzano in Chianti
Panzzano in Chianti / Shutterstock.com
The densely populated town of Panzano is located a few kilometers from Greve. Since the 12th century, Panzano has played an important role in the defense of Florence. Panzano Castle was a strategic point during the wars between Florence and Siena. Traces of the castle are clearly visible in historical center. Nowadays, the center is dominated by the building of the Church of Santa Maria, founded in the 13th century, but significantly rebuilt in the 19th century in the neoclassical style. It is worth taking a walk through the city center, which has preserved the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, and drinking a glass of wine in the central square. Here you will also find many restaurants and wine bars where you can taste local products. Stop by the old butcher shop Cecchini, where they sell the famous Florentine steak.
A little further is the Church of San Leolino, the first mention of which dates back to 982. Despite its Renaissance appearance (an elegant stone portal and arched gallery), its interior has been preserved in its original form, typical of a Romanesque three-nave basilica. Inside you can admire the framed masterpieces of church art by local masters.
Castellina in Chianti
Castellina in Chianti / Shutterstock.com
Moving further towards Siena, you will find yourself in Castellina in Chianti, a town so ancient that its origins are lost in the darkness of centuries. In any case, the tombs in Montecalvario indicate that people lived here already in Etruscan times. Geographical position at the intersection of four districts of the Chianti region, they made the town an important military point, a strategic point between Siena and Florence. Since the period of the medieval wars, the Rocca fortress has been preserved here, dominating the central part of the city, and a covered passage (via delle Volta), crossing the city right through. Its windows offer breathtaking views. Walking around the city, you will see many magnificent palazzos that belonged to noble Sienese and Florentines. Don't miss the Church of San Salvatore, rebuilt after the Second World War, which contains a magnificent late 14th-century fresco by an unknown Tuscan artist. Definitely worth a visit Archaeological Museum Chianti Senese, where Etruscan finds from the excavations in Montecalvario are kept, to become familiar with ancient history of this land.
As at other points on the route, here you can taste local wines in one of the many wine shops and try the famous sausages and hams made from local pork.
Radda in Chianti
Radda in Chianti / Shutterstock.com
Leaving Castellina along Via Chiantigina, you find yourself on the SR429 highway, which leads to Radda in Chianti, a town that has retained its medieval charm. The city center - a labyrinth of concentric streets - is still surrounded by an ancient wall. The architectural center of the city is considered to be the Palazzo di Podesta and the Romanesque church of San Niccolo. The captain of the Chianti League met in the palazzo for four centuries, as is recalled by the numerous coats of arms on its façade. On the edge of the city you will find the ancient Franciscan monastery of Santa Maria in Prato.
Here it is pleasant to wander through the alleys of the center, where magnificent views of the valley surrounding the city open up every now and then. A glass of wine with panino will help you restore your strength.
Near Radda there is the ancient fortified town of Castello di Volpaia. The fortress is built of dark sandstone, which makes it different from other fortifications in the Chianti region. Although the wars between Florence and Siena did not pass without a trace for him, a massive main tower and one of the small towers. Don't forget to visit the former 14th-century church of Commenda di San Efrosino, which now houses a wine library. This is where you should taste the famous local wines.
Gaiole in Chianti
Gaiole in Chianti / Shutterstock.com
Not far from Radda is the town of Gaiole in Chianti, founded during the Middle Ages. Thanks to its position halfway between Chianti and Valdarno, it became a trading platform where local feudal lords sold their products. In our time, Gaiole has not lost its significance, being an important tourist center. There are many hotels and restaurants of the “agritourism” category, wine shops and farms, the owners of which will be happy to offer you their products and hospitality. In the vicinity of Gaiole, castles and fortresses have been preserved, for example Castello di Vertine, Castello di Meleto, Pieve di Spaltenna. You can stay overnight everywhere and, of course, taste local products.
Chianti is exactly what you think it is. The wine fully reflects the characteristics of the region. Through it you can appreciate how sunny the days are in Chianti, how rich the aromas of its herbs are, how clean the air is and how measured life is. The landscapes of Chianti are endless vineyards, interrupted only by the houses of their owners, well-groomed greenery, hills lined with bushes one after another. For lovers of such idyllic pictures, they even built a special road that will lead through the best wine-growing lands directly to the homeland of the famous Chianti - Brolio Castle.
There are ancient towns scattered throughout the region, where the atmosphere of rural life in the sunshine has been preserved. Leonardo da Vinci appreciated the beauty of these places; it is hardly by chance that he painted the famous Mona Lisa here. According to one version, the Mona Lisa was from Chianti.
Flights to Chianti
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How to get to Chianti
By plane
The airport, which serves the Chianti region, is 1 km from the center of Pisa and 80 km from Florence. There are no direct flights from Moscow, so you will either have to be content with connecting flights through Rome or other European cities, or use ground transport.
By train
Net railways connects the cities of the Chianti region with each other and with neighboring provinces. Florence and Siena can be reached from Rome and Milan in a couple of hours.
Hotels in Chianti
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The Chianti region is dotted with hotels and guesthouses; the choice depends solely on the preferences of tourists and their transport capabilities. It’s convenient to move between towns by car, and then you don’t need to get attached to large settlements. In this case, you can choose a picturesque house away from the noise, feel like the owner of a grape plantation, wake up and watch orderly rows of plantings from the window. Many hotels are occupied by old mansions, where you can also pretend to be at least a duke. At the same time, it is not necessary to empty your treasury completely.
The minimum cost of accommodation in Chianti is from 40 € per night for two. For this money you can get a simple room in a house or hostel, for example, in Greve (Residence Casprini da Omero) or Gaiole (La Fonte Del Cieco, Villa Vittoria Gaiole In Chianti). In Gaiola, you can also stay like a king at the five-star Castello di Spaltenna Exclusive Resort & Spa (from 200 €), and there are several similar places in Castelnuovo Berardenga.
The cost of three-four rooms varies from 80 to 300 € per night.
Shopping in Chianti
Wine. Wine. And again wine. You can take it out even in boxes, the main thing is to check it in as luggage, meeting the standards of your airline. However, difficulties may arise when entering Russia. According to current customs regulations, you can import no more than 2 liters of strong alcoholic beverages per person into our country. In addition to wine, Chianti produces grappa, limoncello, and cognac. The marking - a red label with a black rooster in the center - indicates high quality. Good wine costs from 10 €.
In addition to alcohol, you can bring local olive oil, cheeses, sausages and boar meat delicacies from Chianti.
Wine tasting in Chianti
Any establishment will offer visitors local wine. But some places enjoy special love among Italians and the interest of foreign tourists.
In Panzano, queues form for Antica Cecchini. This legendary butcher shop is famous for its Florentine steak, where the owner reads passages from Dante's Divine Comedy and pours homemade wine from his private cellars. In the shop of butcher Dario Cecchini there are autographs of fans of his creative approach to carcass and work: Dustin Hoffman, Jack Nicholson, Elton John and other celebrities.
There are two restaurants in Castellina that have earned Michelin stars, the chefs will prepare the dishes, the best way paired with Chianti different years harvest.
In Radda, you can visit the Volpaia Castle, where they offer tasting tours with a sample of freshly squeezed olive oil. Of course, they won’t let you go without a glass of wine either. The drinking place will be an ancient church turned into a bar, or a picturesque garden.
At Meleto Castle in Gaiole, after a tour of the castle and winery, you can taste wine, grappa, and cognac with an appetizer of locally produced cold cuts. There is also honey and organic olive oil. Everything can be bought right there.
If you were asked to drive along the Chianti wine road in search of a “drunk road”, would you take it? So I had no reason to deny myself such an adventure. So what is hidden behind such beautiful description and what is this road famous for?
2. “The Drunken Road” is the calling card of Tuscany, the Orcia Valley and the city of Monticchiello to which it leads. An asphalt ribbon lined with cypress trees, descending from the most picturesque hills, is included in the UNESCO heritage. Her images decorate magnets, spoons, postcards, and stamps. Locals They even sometimes pray for her. I'll post a postcard as a guide. This is what we went for.
3. Traveling through Tuscany was difficult. Leaving Florence, we turned onto the Chianti wine road and headed for miracles. It would seem that what is so difficult here? Go, you just have to go.
4. But the trouble is that the landscapes of Tuscany are incredibly beautiful. And instead of the road, you want to look around, the speed drops to a minimum, cars honk behind you, you trudge along like a stoned drug addict. In 30 minutes we drove only 20 kilometers, took a hundred photographs and began to understand that we might not make it on time. But I simply didn’t want to go any further. Could stop at every bush, stone, vineyard
5. The closer we got to the Val d'Orcia valley, the more difficult it was to press the gas. I couldn't stand it, turned on the emergency lights, pressed to the side of the road and took photos, photos, photos.
6. People who are in love with landscapes and romantic natures simply should not be allowed into Tuscany. There is a chance that their psyche will be disturbed, and they will not want to return to their home country.
7. At a certain moment the thought came to me, did I even give in to the “drunk road”? You might as well stay here. Enjoy the views, uncork a bottle of dry white and experience zen.
8. There are no problems with bottles. There are local shops along the road where you can buy quality, homemade, Tuscan wine. How difficult it is to move on!
9. If you know about wine, then cities like Montalcino and Montepulciano will gently echo in your ears, your hands will reach for the glass, and your lips will whisper I want.
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10. Oh, it’s not for nothing that this path is called the wine road, because 80% of the territory of Tuscany is covered with vineyards, and local wineries have received world fame and gold medals from various competitions of the noble drink.
11. Did I already say that it is very difficult to drive and not stop?
12. During the Renaissance, students of the Siena art school honed their skills in local natural landscapes. The paintings still reflect the beauty of Tuscany. How is it even possible not to become an artist, poet or winemaker here?
13. I couldn’t stand it. He abandoned the car and ran into the fields.
14. If there is beautiful landscapes, delicious wine, then you can live here. We must give the Italians their due, not to spoil the beauty of these places, but even to embellish them - art. I'll tell you about a couple of local towns soon. They deserve a separate story.
15. Almost there. There's just a little bit left. Here she is already drunk dear, only the view from above. Was it in vain?
16. But first, a couple more landscapes.
17. Almost finished postcard or magnet. I'm thinking of ordering it for friends and giving it as a gift. It's a good idea to give magnets of your own production with your photographs. Or I’ll put together a collection and donate it to New Year calendar for everyone.
18. It was not in vain that I traveled. Oh, not in vain. I denied myself wine, swallowed saliva, and hurried at stops. Not in vain.
