Last updated on November 26th, 2024
Are you looking to visit a winery in Montepulciano but not sure which one to choose?
There are what seems like an infinite number of wineries in Montepulciano, and after visiting many of them (in my 10+ years living nearby), I can say that one of the best places for a tasting of quality Tuscan wines is at the Avignonesi Winery in Montepulciano.
In this article, I will share with you my experience at a wine tasting at the Avignonesi Winery, including:
- who the winery is best for
- what to expect at an Avignonesi wine tasting
- tour options for Avignonesi (including prices at the time of writing)
- an overview of Avignonesi’s history and wine making philosophy
- the wines produced at Avignonesi
In short, Avignonesi is one of my favorite wineries in Montepulciano, perfect for any kind of visitor – from wine professionals to newbies to families. Your wine experience at Avignonesi will be one of your most curated and memorable wine tours in Tuscany!
Wine Lover? Be sure to read Where to Drink Wine in Italy and Where to Buy Wine in Italy!
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How To Pronounce Avignonesi
Avignonesi is pronounced av-een-yohn-eh-see in Italian.
Listen to the pronunciation of Avignonesi here:
Where Is Avignonesi Winery?
Avignonesi winery is located in Montepulciano in Southern Tuscany right on the border with Cortona.
From Montepulciano, Avignonesi winery is about a 15-20 minute drive East towards the Trasimeno Lake past the small town of Valiano.
How To Book With Avignonesi
The best way to book your wine experience with Avignonesi is online directly with them on the official website.
You’ll be asked to fill out a form including details such as number of people in your party, your experience with wine, language preference, what you are particularly interested in and any special requests. In this way, they can pre-plan your visit to better cater your needs and desires.
Why Visit Avignonesi?
Avignonesi is one of Montepulciano’s largest and most famous wineries, well known for their affordable everyday wines and their one of a kind small vintage collections that can only be purchased directly from them at the estate.
Avignonesi is one of my favorite wineries to visit in Montepulciano because:
- The wines are delicious, one a kind and unique
- Sustainable biodynamic and organic wine production
- Their wine experiences are curated and well organized
- It’s kid-friendly activity in Montepulciano
- Pair with their onsite farm to table restaurant
- Offers a wide selection of experiences including cooking classes and driving tours
- Easy to book online
- Accepts walk-ins
- Not far from center of Montepulciano
- Offers a large selection of wines at a wide price range
- Possible to pair with a light lunch
- Possible to organize larger events or celebrations with them
When Is Avignonesi Open?
The Avignonesi winery is open from March through December (closed in January and February).
Visit the estate and wine shop from April through October seven days a week 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. In the off season in November, December, and March, plan your visit Monday-Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Who Is Avignonesi Best For?
Avignonesi is best for any kind of visitor including:
- families
- wine lovers
- wine connoisseurs
- wine professionals
- newbie wine drinkers in Italy
If you are experienced or work in the wine industry, you will appreciate the one of a kind vintages and small batch wines available for purchase directly from the winery.
On the other hand, if you are a newbie to wine or traveling with kids, the Avignonesi staff is one of the kindest I met along my travels, helping to guide you through your tasting and answering all your questions. It’s a great place to start if you haven’t gotten into wine yet. After your experience here, you will surely be a convert!
I also suggest Avignonesi for wine lovers who appreciate the small nuances in wine or for visitors interested in organic or biodynamic wine production. Avignonesi has some of the highest rated wine (including their unique vin santo), which can only be enjoyed in their tasting room, all of which are produced from start to finish with sustainability at its foundation.
If you want to make a whole afternoon or evening out of your wine tasting experience, Avignonesi is the place for you. Pre-book your table at their farm to table restaurant on the estate as well or choose from their other full immersion experiences.
How To Get To Avignonesi Winery
To get to Avignonesi winery you will need a car. From Montepulciano, follow SP10 past Montepulciano Stazione (Montepulciano Train Station) and Valiano.
From here, continue on a bit further and then take a right hand turn onto Via Colonica and the Avignonesi winery will be on your right.
Because Avignonesi winery is not far from Cortona, it makes a great day trip for travelers based in or visiting Cortona as well.
Good To Know: Arriving by helicopter? No problem! Avignonesi has space to land!
Parking At Avignonesi
When you pull up to the Avignonesi winery, follow the signs for parking which will lead you around to the right. You will find a large parking lot with both covered and non-covered parking, including a charging station for electric cars.
Avignonesi With Children
Children are welcome at the Avignonesi winery in Montepulciano and after my visit, I can confirm that it’s a fun and safe place for them. Away from large roads and with a garden just outside the tasting room, children are free to run and play while you sip.
To learn more about whether your child is eligible for a tasting, read The Legal Drinking Age In Italy – Advice From A Local.
Good To Know: Young children are not charged for tours and tastings.
If you need to break up your time at Avignonesi before returning to your base in Tuscany, check out the small park in Valiano, about a five minutes’ drive from the winery. Just next door is La Dogana Enoteca, a very nice restaurant with an amazing view.
If for any reason you can’t eat at the restaurant or need a change of scene, I highly recommend booking a table here.
Wines At Avignonesi Winery
Avignonesi has 14 wines to choose from. They are one of the largest producers in Montepulciano, producing 600,000 (up to 1 million) bottles each year.
| Wine Name | Type / Grape | Aging |
| Il Marzocco | Toscana IGT chardonnay | 5 months on fine lees in barriques and cement egg |
| QX Rosato | Toscana IGT Sangiovese | 5 months on fine lees |
| Desiderio | Toscana IGT Merlot | 20 months in oak barriques |
| Grifi | Toscana IGT 50% Sangiovese 50% Cabernet Sauvignon | 24 months in large Spavonian oak casks and barriques |
| Grandi Annate | Toscana IGT Sangiovese | 18 months in large oak barrels |
| 50&50 | Toscana IGT 50% Merlot 50% Sangiovese | In oak barriques and wooden vats |
| Le Badelle | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG (Sangiovese) | 20 months in Slavonian oak barrels |
| La Stella | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG (Sangiovese) | 20 months in oak barrels |
| La Tonda | Toscana IGT Sangiovese | 14 months in barriques and tonneaux |
| Rosso di Montepulciano DOC | Sangiovese | 6 months in soak and minimum 3 months in bottle |
| Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG | Sangiovese | 18 months in oak casks and oak barriques and 6 months in bottle |
| Cantaloro | Toscana IGT Rosso (57% Sangiovese, 31% Merlot, 12% Cab. Sauvignon) | 18 months in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels |
| Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC | Malvasia, Trebbiano Toscano | Minimum 10 years in Caratelli |
| Occhio di Pernice | Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC Sangiovese | Minimum 10 years in Caratelli |
The Avignonesi winery has two major lines of production, the Black Line and the Single Vineyard Line.
The Black Line is made up of about 200,000 bottles per year, made from Sangiovese grapes taken from all eight plots on the estate.
The Single Vineyard wines are made up from the five most interesting plots, allowing the winery to craft five single identities of the Savignonese grape, ultimately sharing an expression of the individual soil types.
Avignonesi Estate And Winery Tour
The full estate and winery tour plus wine tasting takes place twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon for a maximum of 12 people (single group of mixed) for a total price of €45.00.
In the wine tour, you will visit the vineyards, the cantina and the aging rooms and Vinsantaia (where the Vin Santo is made), guided by one of the Avignonesi staff. They will walk you through how their wines are made, taking you through the wine characteristics, history and philosophy of the winery.
This tasting includes four wines, three of which are their single vineyard wines, with the option to taste their famed Vin Santo as well.
Private tours and tastings can be pre-booked at Avignonesi for no more than 20 people. In this case, please get in touch with them ahead of time. Your tasting will not be held in the regular tasting room but in an exclusive room on the estate.
Good To Know: Tours at Avignonesi can be conducted in English, Italian, Russian and Dutch.
Avignonesi Wine Tasting
Avigonesi is happy to accept walk-in wine tastings or to eat at their wine bar but to ensure your spot, I suggest pre-booking your experience online prior to visiting.
| Avignonesi Wine Tasting | Includes |
| The Discovery | Four wines (QX Rosato, La Stella, Grandi Annate and 50%50) with olive oil and homemade sourdough bread insert links). |
| Taste Of Tuscany (end of March – November) | Light lunch (food options vary) + wine tasting, no reservation required |
| Grand Experience & Discovery Lunch | Estate tour + wine tasting (including 8 wines) paired with full course lunch (insert link) at their farm to table restaurant “Le Capezzine” |
Prices vary for each wine tasting. Please contact the Avignonesi directly for estimates at info@avignonesi.it
Choose from either their indoor or outdoor seating at the wine bar.
The typical wine tasting “The Discovery” includes four wines for with the possibility to try the Vin Santo for an extra cost. The tasting is accompanied with water, their extra virgin olive oil and homemade sourdough bread from their restaurant.
You will try the QX Rosato, La Stella, Grandi Annate and 50%50 in this tasting.
Good To Know: This Discovery tasting is free with a minimum purchase of €250 (prices subject to change). Please notify their staff if you plan on a large purchase.
Alternatively, you can choose the “Taste Of Tuscany” light lunch and wine tasting (from end of March through November) served from 12:30 – 3:30 pm for a minimum of 2 people.
The final option is to pair your tasting with a full course meal with the “Grand Experience & Discovery Lunch”. After your estate tour, sit down to a four course lunch, carefully curated to suit each wine you will be tasting.
Fit In: Learn How to Toast in Italian!
Eating At Avignonesi
Eat either at the wine bar or at their farm to table restaurant at Avignonesi.
Wine Bar
If you choose to eat a light lunch at their wine bar, you can order tagliere or charcutie boards and cheese plates and full glasses of wine off their à la carte menu.
You can also opt for the “Taste of Tuscany” light lunch (options vary depending on season) which includes a tasting and requires no pre-booking.
Le Capezzine
Eating at their restaurant Le Capezzine requires pre-booking (maximum 26 coperti or people) online or by email.
The restaurant relies primarily on locally sourced ingredients and produce that comes from their organic farm, offering primarily vegan and vegetarian options (but not limited to).
Choose to eat either on their terrace or indoors.
Other Experiences At Avignonesi
If all the tours, tasting and foodie experiences at Avignonesi weren’t enough consider the following.
Cooking Classes At Avignonesi
Learn how to make traditional Tuscan dishes from their chefs at Le Capezzine restaurant using ingredients grown on the farm.
The experience includes a visit to the onsite organic garden to pick the produce, and a full immersion demonstration and hands-on lesson in the kitchen.
To finish the class, you will eat a four course meal paired with the best wines from Avignonesi.
Learn More: Read about more of my recommended cooking classes in Tuscany.
Wine Meets Speed At Avignonesi
In partnership with Driving the Dream, a luxury car rental company, Avignonesi has designed a unique experience with food, wine and luxury sport car rentals touring the Tuscan countryside.
Private Dinners At Avignonesi
Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or annual celebration, Avignonesi is happy to organize a private dinner for you, catering to any dietary restrictions or special requests.
History Of Avignonesi
Avignonesi is an ancient estate rooted in the noble Avignonesi family of Montepulciano. Originally founded in 1974, the property is made up of 420 acres (170 hectares), dedicated to their sustainable winemaking practices and small organic garden and olive groves.
In 2009, the estate was purchased by Virginie Saverys, a Belgian woman who transformed the winery into a biodynamic and organic one, similar to the philosophy embraced in Bordeaux, France where she studied wine making herself.
She started the regeneration of the soil without pesticides and after 7 years, they officially became organic. It wasn’t until 10 years, however, that the company was able to call themselves biodynamic as well, embracing the biodiversity of the land and holistic approach to farming.
Fact: Avignonesi is the biggest biodynamic winery in all of Italy!
At Avignonesi, they rely on a harmonious relationship with the environment, including the bees they raise, the various fruit trees and plants and grow and as well as the animals they use to naturally fertilize the vineyards.
How Avignonesi Wine Is Made
Avignonesi’s dedication to biodiversity and symbiotic relationship with the land is rooted in both their wines and food production. Take the 18 beehives they tend to, helping to preserve the soil characteristics and the health of all the surrounding plants and animals.
Each olive and fruit tree, plant, vegetable and herb (including saffron!) they plant have a purpose: to diversify and balance the various plots of the vineyard and make for a better wine!
The Vineyards
The Avignonesi estate is divided into nine main estates, eight of which are dedicated to Sangiovese. The ninth estate in Cortona is dedicated to Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The vineyards are split among their various plots, each of which has a different soil and climate.
The Tonda plot is the most famous and interesting of them all, named for its round shape with a large tree at the center of the plot, to which all rows lead.
In the 1990’s, Avignonesi conducted a study with this vineyard to understand the best ratio of grapes per hectare to obtain the best final result. The plot is divided into 34 harvest rings, each of which has a different density of grape (more dense closer to the center of the circle, less dense as you move outwards).
They learned that when the grapes were at a higher density, the root system was deeper, tapping into the richest nutrients possible, ultimately leading to the best fruit.
After which, Avignonesi went on to plant new vineyards that mirrored this exact ideal density that they had discovered at La Tonda.
The Grape Harvest (The Vendemmia)
The Vendemmia takes place in the fall from September through October, depending on the climate that year. It’s done by hand and in a short time frame to preserve the grapes as best possible.
The Aging
After fermentation, the wine is aged in various barrels and rooms (see chart above for specifics).
Their sweet wine is made in the Vinsantaia, a room dedicated to their Vin Santo production.
To make Vin Santo, you need nine times the amount of grapes that are dried, pressed and then aged for extensive periods before being bottled. When it’s opened, the Avignonesi Vin Santo is fully oxidized and stays as it first was when opened for a whole year!
Distribution and Selling
Avignonesi wines are sold throughout Italy and all over the world but to try and buy some of their Single Vineyard wines, you can do so exclusively at their wine shop on the estate (one more reason to visit!). The Single Vineyard wines make great souvenirs or gifts to bring home with you from Italy.
Travelers Tip: Interested in when and how best to go wine tasting in Italy? Read Wine Tasting In Tuscany + Tips From A Local On How To Make The Most Of Your Wine Tour.
More on Tuscan Wine:
Wine Tasting in Tuscany
Wines to Try in Tuscany
Montepulciano’s In-Town Wineries
My Favorite Enoteche in Montepulciano
Montalcino Vineyards to Visit
Montepulciano Wineries
Avignonesi Winery
Conti Costanti Winery
Ravazzi Cantina
Siro Pacenti Winery
Avignonesi Winery FAQ
Yes, you can! Avignonesi sell their Rosso di Montepulciano and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano at various supermarkets, shops, enoteche and restaurants throughout Italy and abroad.
