Chianti Wine Tour from Florence with a Private Driver

Chianti is the Tuscany people picture before they arrive: rows of vines and stone farmhouses, with a cellar at the end of every gravel track. It sits just south of Florence, close enough that a half day does it justice and a full day does it properly.

What a day in Chianti looks like

We take the back roads rather than the main one, stop at a couple of small family wineries, and taste what they actually make, mostly Chianti Classico and sometimes an olive oil or a vin santo to finish. Lunch is the heart of it, usually at a winery or a village trattoria, with nowhere to be afterwards.

Which part of Chianti?

Chianti is bigger than most people expect, and it changes as you go. Greve is the easy, lively gateway. Castellina and Radda, deeper in and higher up, are quieter and come with the long views. We will suggest a route based on what you are after, whether that is serious wine or simply a beautiful drive with a glass at the end.

What the day includes

• Private English-speaking driver, Florence and back
• Comfortable air-conditioned Mercedes, water on board
• A route built around what you want from the day
• The cellar visits booked for you in advance

Tasting fees are usually settled at the cellar so you only pay for what you try, though we can fold them into the day if you would rather not think about it. Either way, the driving is one fixed price, agreed in writing before you book.

Good to know

Do we need a guide, or just a driver?

The driver looks after everything outside the cellars. Inside, the winery host pours and walks you through the wines. If you would like a licensed guide for Florence as well, we can arrange one.

How many wineries fit in a day?

Two on a half day, two or three on a full day, so it never turns into a march.

Is lunch included?

Usually paid on the day so you can choose what you fancy. We book the table.

Should we book ahead?

In spring and autumn the better small cellars fill up, so a week or two ahead is wise.