One of the best Tuscan wine tours from Rome will begin when your driver arrives at your hotel in the heart of the city. You will head north through the Italian regions of Lazio and Umbria and finally to Tuscany where you will experience a typical Tuscan winery. Your destination is the Val d’Orcia region of southern Tuscany.

This area has been depicted in works of art from Renaissance paintings to modern photography. The Val d’Orcia is also on the list of UNESCO Cultural Landscapes and is known for its uniquely beautiful and well-preserved landscape.

Your driver will be sure to stop at the wonderful scenic overlooks and give you time to appreciate the dazzling rolling hills and take some photographs.

Upon arriving to the charming hilltop village of Montalcino, you will have free time for a stroll through the streets filled with shops and to make your way up to the imposing Fortress of Montalcino. It dominates not only the town, but also the entire valley from the hills south of Siena to the highest mountain in Tuscany, the Monte Amiata.

Your day continues as your driver takes you on a panoramic drive on country roads lined with vineyards to arrive to a Brunello winery tucked into the pristine countryside. Your winery guide will give you a tour of the winery during which you will learn about the region’s most important wine: Brunello. Then you will enjoy a delicious lunch with wine tasting so you can try Brunello, a bold red wine made from the local Sangiovese Grosso grapes.

Your day is not over yet! Your driver will take you to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town of Pienza. This small but wonderful town is the first to have been created following urban planning guidelines set out by Pope Pius in the 1400s to create the perfect Renaissance town.

Not only does Pienza have a beautiful cathedral and spectacular views of the Val d’Orcia, but it is also known for its Pecorino cheese. The Percorino cheeses range from mild, fresh cheese to cheese that has been aged for years and therefore is very sharp.

The Pecorino cheese is often flavored with other local products such as truffles, saffron, red pepper or served with a drizzle of honey or fig jam. You will find many local shops offering samples and selling the round forms that can be packaged and brought back home with you. Your tour ends with either a return to your hotel in Rome, or a transfer on to a hotel in Siena or Florence as requested.