Last updated on February 13th, 2022 at 05:21 pm
Chianti region in the Tuscany countryside, is home to every wino’s favorite red, Chianti Classico. So, it goes without saying, a day trip to the Chianti Region from Florence is highly recommended for anyone who has a daydream of sipping wine (Chianti classico or any other Chianti wine or any Italian wine) in the Tuscan countryside (aka everyone).
Chianti Classico is sold worldwide, but the experience of sipping this wine in the Tuscan region whilst surrounded by grapevines and rolling hills unfortunately is only available in person! Pair it up with a visit to a century-old wine cellar to know more about the art of wine-making before settling down to the most delicious Italian lunch at a farmhouse.
Isn’t that quite a treat?
Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscan region is the perfect base and mid-point to many must-see destinations and many one-day trips to the winding, Tuscany countryside dotted with medieval towns.
It won’t be an exaggeration if I say, I loved Florence amongst all the Italian destinations I visited. The art and architecture are unparalleled Florence. And topping the list is a day trip to the Chianti wine region and taking a wine tour for an unforgettable experience.
Disclaimer: Things are changing rapidly – please double check what’s open before your trip and follow all local guidelines to keep yourself and others safe! This post contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission if you click on one and make a purchase.
About The Chianti Wine Region
Before you commit to a trip to the region, it is important to know more about it. Even though Chianti wine can technically be produced anywhere throughout Tuscany, Chianti Classico is known for producing the highest quality wine due to its small batches. The mild climate and clay soil characteristics of this region gives Chianti wine its famous bold flavor. Chianti wine is a savory red wine with hints of balsamic and dried herbs and finishes with cherries and a lusting tongue. Basically, Chianti wine allows one to drink the flavors of the finest ingredients in Italy without the trip. From the dryness left on the tongue, to the bitter hints of tannin, Chianti pairs seamlessly with highly acidic and fatty foods such as pizza and artisanal meats.
How To Get From Florence To Chianti On A Day Trip
The distance between Florence and Chianti is 35 KM and the most convenient way to reach is by car: better a self-driven car or a private tour for the most immersive experience.
Bus and train are the other options and of course, guided tours are there (more about it later).
By car:
The best way to reach the Chianti wine region from Florence will be by car. That way you get to see the outstanding views along the way. After all, Tuscany is famous for its expanse of green hills and picturesque sights.
By bus:
The second option would be to take 365 A bus, near the Santa Maria Novella, to Greve Piazza Trieste, which is the center of Greve in Chianti. This journey will be approximately one hour of endless green hills.
By train:
I would keep Train journey the last option as you get to see the vineyards only from a distance. Rome2Rio has an interactive train schedule itinerary.
The Experience – Day Trip To Chianti Wine Region From Florence
We availed of a private guided tour suggested by our AirBnB hostess in Florence. This was the best decision we ever made. Our tour guide Gilberto was knowledgeable and shared interesting facts and curiosities about landmarks along the route.
Our Chianti wine tour itinerary:
- Got on to the car from Florence (Gilberto drove the car)
- Reached a century-old wine cellar Chianti wine region, precisely the countryside
- This was the main highlight of our Chianti wine tour. We were accompanied by a guide for getting to know the history of wine-making plus visiting the wine-cellar and wine-tasting
- Took the car again and reached a typical Tuscan Farmhouse for lunch
- We settled down for lunch in an outdoor setting
- On the way back from the farmhouse, we dropped by Greve.
- Reached Florence by late afternoon.
We started our day trip to Chianti wine region from Florence after a quick latte at Trattoria Zaza (quite well-known in Florence). From here, we started our journey through the rolling hills, awake and ready for a full day of taste bud spectaculars.
And guess what! The entire trip by car I enjoyed listening to some Italian pop that really enhanced my experience of the day. This way, I was able to feel truly immersed and live out my Italian fantasy to the fullest.
Chianti Wine Tour at a century-old winery
We explored a family-owned winery while sipping some of the best red wine the region has to offer. I prefer family-owned wineries over bigger corporations because they tend to offer a more personal touch; not to mention an un-rallied history. These wineries tend to be passed down from generation to generation with love and care, therefore offering a great quality of the wine. They also offer a more personal and detailed explanation of their history and fermentation process.
During the tour, the guide at the winery delved into the intricate process of winemaking, from aging to the type of grapes, the materials used to make the barrels, and what it takes to be classified as a “Chianti Classico”.
That’s how a guided tour experience is ever-enriching!
The walk through the cellar itself gave me the feeling as if I was entering history! And not to mention the paintings and artworks at every nook and corner.
Sumptuous Italian meal at a Farmhouse
After touring the wine cellar and getting to know about the nuances of wine-making, it was time for lunch. While we could have had lunch there itself, our tour guide Gilberto drove us down to a farmhouse!
We got to tease our palate with some of the best regional cheeses, cold cuts, olive oil, and other snacks made with seasonal local products. This was wrapped up by the first course of the Italian meal and some dessert.
And of course, tasting the Chianti Wine! We tasted three varieties of wine while our hostess at the farmhouse shared tips on how to savor the wine. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be pretending to be an expert as you slurp and swirl your wine, ever so classily.
The experience of sitting outdoors under the Tuscan sun with some awe-inspiring views and sampling rustic countryside Tuscan food and wine was something that will be ever etched in my memory!
Insider tip: You can spot a true bottle of Chianti Classico wine if it has the seal of the black rooster! Yes. Chianti Classico has all that stardom attached to it and there’s enough reason for that. The source of the Sangiovese grape for Chianti Classico is only a restricted area within the wider Chianti region and only certain winemakers within that restricted area are allowed to call their Chianti, Chianti Classico.
Visit Greve on a day trip to Chianti from Florence
While coming back from the wine tour at Chianti countryside we visited Greve while coming back to our base location, Florence. Just at 30 KM from Florence, Greve is a charming medieval town surrounded by miles of Chianti Classico Vineyards.
It is the main town on Chiantigiana road between Florence and Siena.
I highly recommend exploring the Greve if you have some spare time. The main attraction of this historic town is the town’s marketplace dating back to several hundreds of years ago.
When you arrive at Piazza Matteotti, which is triangular in shape, you are in the center of this historical town. From this so-called “square”, you can drift into boutiques, artisan workshops, and restaurants that surround the piazza.
Walk through the arched pathways that line the Piazza’s sides and explore the shops that have been there for centuries and are still thriving. It’s also the perfect place to buy souvenirs for yourself or loved ones while also supporting the community.
To finish off what can be deemed as a perfect day, stop for gelato at any of the local shops for a little taste bud overload. This day will be leaving you beyond satisfied and fulfilled to the fullest.
Do not forget to meet the black rooster at Greve!
The Best Chianti Wine Tours
A day trip to Chianti wine region from Florence can make you feel as though you are living in one of the countless castles surrounded by vineyards sipping your wine.
One of the best ways to experience this is to opt for one of the several wine tours to the Chianti region.
There are different combinations to choose from based on your interest, time, and of course budget. Here are my top 5 picks for Chianti Wine Tours :
Chianti Wine Tour 1 – Florence: Chianti Wineries Tour with Food and Wine Tasting
This half-day wine tour from Florence (5.5-hour tour) includes visit to two wineries accompanied by sampling at least 5 different wine varieties and snack to go with them. The journey is picturesque through the rolling hills of Tuscany countryside. You get to know about the details of wine-making from the master winemakers themselves!
Chianti Wine Tour 2 – From Florence: Chianti Hills Wineries Tour with Tasting
As part of this tour, you get to visit two wineries at Chianti hills, taste regional wines and then wander around the charming town of Radda. You can select from private or small groups option.
Chianti Wine Tour 3 – From Florence: Tuscany Wine Tasting Full-Day Trip
This full-day trip to the Tuscany region has been designed for those in 18-35 age bucket.
This tour includes visits to two wineries and tasting 7 wine varieties. Spend the afternoon exploring narrow streets of San Gimignano and having gelato from world-champion ice-cream making gelateria.
Chianti Wine Tour 4 – From Florence: Tuscany Day Trip with Optional Lunch and Wine
Have very little time in Florence but want to experience the Tuscan gems?
Then this 12-hour summary trip is the best of the lot with options for choosing private and small group.
You get to see Siena, have lunch (if chosen) at Chianti, spend some free time at the UNESCO World Heritage site of the medieval town of San Gimignano, and shake hands with Leaning Tower of Pisa at Pisa before coming back to Florence.
Chianti Wine Tour 5 – San Gimignano, Siena, Chianti Guided Tour from Florence
A one-in-all tour to the Tuscan countryside that packs the punch – explore the UNESCO World Heritage town of San Gimignano, go for wine tasting at Chianti in a wine estate and wrap up the day with exploring the beautiful town of Siena. This 9.5 hour guided tour is ideal to discover Tuscany gems.
Closing Thoughts On Day Trip To Chianti From Florence
That brings an end to the Chianti wine tour and exploring Tuscany countryside from Florence. After your tryst with Chianti Classico, your taste buds should be soaring with pleasure, as should your wanderlust. Any day out in Tuscany is truly foolproof, especially when it includes a day out to a winery and a historic town. Whether you stopover at Greve or Siena or San Gimignano for a day trip into Italy’s famous wine region, you will be living out your Tuscan dream of exploring an authentic Italian town, with artisanal foods, daring wines, and boastful delicacies.
Don’t forget to share your fantastic experience with all the unfortunate souls at home by bringing back a nice bottle of wine for them so they can pretend they were there with you.
Have you been to Chianti before? Share you experience in the comment section and I would love to hear from you.
Now that you have reached the end of this post, why don’t you check out some of my other Italy-related posts!
Trastevere neighborhood – Things to do in one day
Rome Quotes for Instagram Captions
