Tuscany is one of the most sought-after destinations for wine lovers from all over the world. Its rolling green hills, dotted with medieval villages and covered with rows of vineyards and olive groves, its long rows of cypresses and beautiful stone estates are a dream for many, and the best way to explore them is by hiring a car and going on a road trip.

This region is a magical place to be experienced at a slow pace, getting lost, if possible on dirt roads, and having fun exploring small villages, and tasting the local food and wine products.

Any wine lover who is lucky enough to come to Tuscany will surely want to visit the Chianti region, an area characterized by an extraordinary landscape of vineyards.

The historic area, called Chianti Classico, can be explored by driving along the Via Chiantigiana which connects the two wonderful Tuscan cities of Florence and Siena, or by following one of the gastronomic itineraries such as the Chianti Classico Wine and Oil Trail. Along the way, you can visit some villages of exceptional beauty, such as Greve in Chianti with its splendid Wine Museum, or Gaiole in Chianti, the starting point of the Eroica, a traditional cycling race that attracts hundreds of enthusiasts every year and winds through the Chianti hills towards Siena and the Val d’Orcia, up to Montalcino.

A tasty stop is Panzano in Chianti, where the Officina della Bistecca is located. In this characteristic tavern, the chef/manager Dario Cecchini will cut and cook for you the best Florentine steak singing the verses of Dante’s Divine Comedy.

However, Tuscany is not just Chianti. Here, in fact, some of the finest red wines in the world are produced, such as the famous Supertuscans.

To explore the production area of these prestigious wines it is necessary to approach the coast and the village of Bolgheri. And the best way to do this is by following the famous avenue, almost 6 km long, flanked by two rows of century-old cypresses which in a setting of great natural beauty, leads to the entrance to the ancient castle of the town.

To visit the most famous wineries in the area, such as Tenuta San Guido, you can follow the Strada del Vino, which winds along the Bolgherese road up to Castagneto Carducci through splendid landscapes of elegant vineyards, bordered by maritime pines and cypresses.

And after a day of visits, you can delight your taste buds in one of the traditional taverns of the town and taste the local gastronomic delights such as Ribollita, black cabbage soup, pappardelle with wood pigeon, or boards with pecorino and locally produced cured meats.

Those who cannot do without a good glass of white wine should instead visit the stunning village of San Gimignano, famous for its artistic and architectural richness, its 72 medieval towers, and for the production of one of the most famous native whites of the region, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

In late winter, the presentation of the new vintages with the Anteprima Vernaccia event is a moment of great celebrations, which welcomes wine experts and lovers from all over the world.