Tuscany
Tuscany has many eco-tourism opportunities with its wine roads extending into the countryside and numerous wine cellars open to the public. The region is most noted for its reds, with such superstars as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, but the region's white wines are also very good. Sangiovese and Trebbiano are Tuscany's dominant grape varietals.
Wine Trail-From north to south
* Travel to Podere Surtarola at Via dell'Uva 3 (tel. 0585831560) in Massa.
* In Carmignano, visit Tenuta di Capezzano at Via Capezzana 100 (tel. 0558706005) to taste the Carmignano DOCG and Chianti Montalbano.
* Colognole (tel. 0558319870) in Rufina offers wine tasting and guided tours by appointment.
* In Florence, stop at the Casa del Vino di Migliorini at Via dell'Ariento 16/r (tel. 055215609). This old bottle shop serves wines by the glass in the heart of Florence's Central Market.
* In Radda in Chianti, Fattoria Castello di Volpaia (tel. 0577738066) is an entire hamlet converted into a winery with houses and churches intertwined with the vines.
* Visit Guicciardini Strozzi-Fattoria Cusona (tel. 0577950028) in San Gimignano to see where Vernaccia grapes are grown and to taste Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG and Vin Santo DOC wines.
* Siena is the home of the Enoteca Italiana (tel. 0577288497), a public institute created by the Controlled Origin and Fine Wines Domestic Market Agency. It gives the general public a sample of the best Italian wines selected by a wine-tasting committee.
* Dei at Via di Martiena 35 (tel. 0578716878) in Montepulciano is located in an old house in a park. Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG wines are aged here.
* Montalcino has several wineries, including Altesino (tel. 0577806208) and Banfi (tel. 0577840111), which has 2000 acres of vines.
Festivals and Culinary Events
* May: Radda in Chianti-Take a Glass and Discover the Magic in the Wines of Radda; Montespertoli-Chianti Show
* July: Vinci-July Fair
* August: Montalcino-Tournament to Mark the Beginning of the Open Season
* September: Rufina-Bacca Artigiano, a festival of wine and local crafts; Montecarlo-Fair of the Wine of Montecarlo and the Colline Lucchesi; Pitigliano-Festival of Wine and St. Mary