The short version: the Val d’Orcia is the postcard Tuscany of cypress-lined roads and golden hills, and it is also a wine-tasting powerhouse — Brunello at Montalcino, Vino Nobile at Montepulciano, and pecorino cheese at Pienza in between. A classic day pairs two wineries with a village and lunch. Go by tour or private driver from Siena, Florence or a base in the valley.
At a glance
| Town | What to taste |
|---|---|
| Montalcino | Brunello & Rosso di Montalcino (Sangiovese) |
| Montepulciano | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Sangiovese) |
| Pienza | Pecorino di Pienza sheep’s cheese |
| How to go | Small-group tour or private driver |
| Best time | May–June, September–October (harvest) |
A UNESCO landscape built for tasting
The Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape in southern Tuscany, is the scenery everyone pictures when they think of Tuscany: rolling clay hills, solitary cypresses and honey-coloured hilltop towns. It also happens to hold two of Italy’s finest wine appellations within a short drive of each other, which makes it ideal for a day of wine tasting that comes with unforgettable views.
Two great wines, one valley
At the western edge, Montalcino makes Brunello, the powerful, long-aged 100% Sangiovese. To the east, Montepulciano makes Vino Nobile, also Sangiovese-based (here called Prugnolo Gentile), a touch more approachable and historically the “wine of kings and popes”. Between them sits Pienza, famous for pecorino sheep’s cheese — the natural pairing for these reds. A day tasting the two wines with a cheese stop is one of Tuscany’s best food-and-wine experiences.
How to tour the Val d’Orcia
The easiest way is a small-group day tour or a private driver from Siena (closest), Florence, or a farmhouse base in the valley — so you can taste freely on the winding roads. A typical day is two wineries (often one Brunello and one Vino Nobile), a walk through Pienza or Montepulciano, and lunch with the wine. Come in late spring or early autumn; September and October add the harvest and the hills at their golden best. It pairs perfectly with a wider Tuscany wine tour.
Frequently asked questions
What wine is the Val d’Orcia known for?
Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano — both Sangiovese-based reds — made in towns at opposite edges of the valley, with Pienza’s pecorino cheese in between.
Can you do wine tasting in Val d’Orcia in a day?
Yes — a classic day pairs two wineries (often one Brunello, one Vino Nobile) with a village stop and lunch, by small-group tour or private driver from Siena or Florence.
Which towns should I visit for wine in Val d’Orcia?
Montalcino for Brunello, Montepulciano for Vino Nobile, and Pienza for pecorino cheese to pair with them.
Plan your Val d’Orcia day
See tastings and tours on our Val d’Orcia page, focus on Montalcino & Brunello, or plan the wider trip from Tuscany wine tours and the Tuscany hub.
