The Best Wine Tours in Italy: Regions, Day Trips & What to Taste
The best wine tours in Italy: Chianti, Brunello, Barolo, Valpolicella, Prosecco, Franciacorta, Frascati, Etna, Lake Garda, Umbria, Alto Adige and Puglia, as day trips from the nearest city.
The short version: Italy has more great wine regions within a day trip of a city than anywhere in Europe. The classics are Chianti and Montalcino from Florence, Barolo from Alba or Turin, Valpolicella and Amarone from Verona, and Prosecco from Venice. Close behind come Franciacorta from Milan, Frascati from Rome, Etna from Taormina, and the quieter regions of Umbria, Alto Adige, Lake Garda and Puglia. Here is how they compare and how to book.
Italy’s best wine regions at a glance
| Region | Famous for | Day trip from | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chianti | Chianti Classico (Sangiovese) | Florence, Siena | Chianti wine tours |
| Montalcino | Brunello di Montalcino | Siena, Florence | Brunello wine tour |
| Langhe (Piedmont) | Barolo, Barbaresco | Alba, Turin | Barolo wine tours |
| Valpolicella | Amarone, Ripasso | Verona | Valpolicella wine tours |
| Prosecco hills | Prosecco Superiore, Cartizze | Venice | Prosecco tours from Venice |
| Franciacorta | Traditional-method sparkling | Milan | Milan wine tours |
| Castelli Romani | Frascati | Rome | Rome wine tours |
| Etna | Volcanic Nerello Mascalese, Carricante | Taormina, Catania | Etna wine tours |
| Lake Garda | Bardolino, Chiaretto, Lugana | Verona, the lake | Lake Garda wine tours |
| Umbria | Sagrantino di Montefalco | Assisi, Perugia | Umbria wine tours |
| Alto Adige | Fresh whites, Lagrein | Bolzano | Alto Adige wine tours |
| Puglia | Primitivo, Negroamaro | Bari, Lecce | Puglia wine tours |
Tuscany and Piedmont: the big reds
For a first wine trip, Tuscany is hard to beat: Chianti’s hills are 40 minutes from Florence (Chianti wine tours), and Montalcino and the Val d’Orcia make a perfect long day (Brunello, Val d’Orcia). Confused by the names? See Chianti vs Montalcino vs Montepulciano. In Piedmont, the Langhe around Alba make Barolo and Barbaresco from Nebbiolo, best in autumn during the white truffle season (Barolo wine tours).
The Veneto, Lombardy and the rest
From Verona, taste Amarone in Valpolicella (see Amarone vs Ripasso) or lighter wines on Lake Garda; from Venice, go up to the Prosecco hills; from Milan, to Franciacorta (compare them in Prosecco vs Franciacorta vs Champagne). Further south, sip Frascati in the Castelli Romani, volcanic reds on Etna (Etna wine explained), Primitivo in Puglia and Sagrantino in Umbria. In the mountains, Alto Adige makes some of Italy’s freshest whites.
How to choose
Pick the region closest to where you are staying: most of these are day trips with transport, two or three wineries and often lunch. Go in September and October for the harvest, or in spring for quieter cellars.
Our picks: the Alba: Barolo and Barbaresco Wine Tour, the Amarone Half-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Verona, and the Wine and Food Tour in the Prosecco Hills from Venice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wine region to visit in Italy?
Tuscany (Chianti and Montalcino) for a first trip; Piedmont’s Langhe for Barolo lovers; Valpolicella and the Prosecco hills for easy days from Verona and Venice.
Can you do Italian wine tours without a car?
Yes. Tours from Florence, Alba, Turin, Verona, Venice, Milan, Rome and Taormina include transport.
When is the best time for a wine tour in Italy?
September and October for the harvest and truffles; May and June for good weather and fewer crowds.
Book a wine tour in Italy
Compare wine tours and tastings in Europe, see all Italy food and wine experiences, or read the best wine tours in Europe.
