Top Siena Wine Tasting Tours - page 6

Wine lovers visiting Siena have truly enjoyed sipping their way through these tasting tours:

• Wine Class - Tuscan Classics
• Siena Wine Tour and Tasting Experience
• Chianti and Castle Small Group Tour from Siena with Wine Tasting
• Walking Tour of Siena with food & Chianti Wine
• Small-Group Brunello di Montalcino Wine-Tasting Trip from Siena

Yes. When it comes to wine tasting, Siena makes for an excellent home base—either for tasting some of the local wines just outside the city or for doing a more extensive exploration of Tuscany, which is filled with off-the-beaten-path wineries just waiting to be discovered.

A short, 1-hour tasting at a single vineyard can start at around US$25 per person, while a private tour for a full day through Tuscany, including specialty wine and cheese tastings, runs about US$600 to US$800 per group. For a small-group tasting experience, plan for around US$100 to US$200 per person.

The Italian town of Siena, located in Tuscany, is surrounded by some truly legendary wine-producing regions. To name just a few that could be easy day trips: Chianti, Montalcino, Le Colline Senesi, and the medieval hill town of Montepulciano.

This area of Italy is probably most well known for Chianti Classico, a familiar red blend to many American palates created from grapes in this region, including at least 80 percent Sangiovese. Bolder palates will enjoy Brunello di Montalcino, produced just about one hour south of Siena.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Siena aside from wine-tasting tours. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Cooking Classes

• Horseback Riding

• Walking Tours

• Vespa, Scooter, & Moped Tours

• Bike Rentals

Siena wine-tasting tour prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• “CLASSIC” Wine Tasting and Typical Tuscan Products

• Exclusive Wine Tasting in the Historic Center of Siena

• Tuscany Hiking Tour from Siena, Including Wine Tasting

• Guided Tour of the Cellars with Wine Tasting and Lunch

• Wine Class - Tuscan Classics

Double-check the meeting point for your experience to ensure you can get there—some Siena wine-tasting tours take place in the city center, while some are held at countryside wineries and may not include transportation from Siena. Think about the kind of experience you’d like to have, too; some wine tours include extras, such as food samples and Vespa riding, while others focus more on the wine-making process.

Wine-tasting tours usually take place at least partially outdoors in the vineyards of Tuscany, so it’s best to wear closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. If your experience doesn’t include a meal, fuel up beforehand. Stay hydrated, and don’t forget your camera to capture photos of the rolling Tuscan hills.

For the most pleasant weather while walking around the vineyards, book your Siena wine-tasting tour between September and October or April and May, when daytime temperatures are often between 70°F and 80°F. Early fall is an especially interesting time to visit Tuscany’s vineyards, as winemakers will be busy picking the vines for the annual grape harvest.