Last updated on July 22nd, 2024
Are you looking for the best Montalcino wineries to visit? Are you overwhelmed by the selection? It’s no surprise if you are! There are over 250 wineries in Montalcino alone. How is one to choose?
I have been living in Southern Tuscany for over ten years now and after years of participating in countless Montalcino wine tours and drinking the absolute best Brunello di Montalcino, I have come down to a solid list of my top five wineries in Montalcino.
I have chosen all of these Montalcino wineries based on my first hand, personal experience. Each one of these Montalcino wine tours stood out for me for one reason or another, all of which I will explain in detail.
So if you are on the hunt for the best Brunello di Montalcino wineries to visit and don’t know where to start, you are in the right place. In this article, I will showcase these best wineries in Montalcino, providing details about arriving, best for, when to visit and what to expect.
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Montalcino Wines
When visiting Montalcino wineries, there are the wines that you will be trying:
Brunello di Montalcino
Made from 100% Sangiovese grapes, this wine must be aged for at least two years in wooden barrels and at least 3 year in the glass bottle.
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Made from 100% Sangiovese grapes, the riserva is aged for the same two years in wooden barrels but then another 4 years in the glass bottle before going on the market.
Rosso di Montalcino
The rosso di Montalcino is made with 100% Sangiovese but only requires one year in the wooden barrels and 1 year in the bottle, meaning it’s a much younger wine.
Bonus Grappa di Brunello di Montalcino
Grappa is a digestivo made from the pomace (grape skins) of Brunello di Montalcino.
Quick Guide To Montalcino Wineries
Montalcino Winery | Address | Best For | Max Number In A Group For Visit & Tasting | Pricing | Booking Required |
Siro Pacenti | Podere Pelagrilli,53024 Montalcino | Expert wine enthusiasts and intimate experience | 6-8 people | Tour and Tasting around €25.00 per person | Yes – info@siropacenti.it |
Fuligni | Strada Provinciale del Brunello, 45 53024 Montalcino | Small groups | 6 people | Tour and Tasting free (with assumption that you make a purchase) | Yes – info@fuligni.it |
Conti Costanti | Localita’ Colle Al Matrichese, 53024 Montalcino | Tailor-made experiences with cooking classes, lunch or to pair with an event or wedding | 12 people | Between €50-500 per person (depending on formula) | Yes – info@costanti.it |
Altesino | Località Altesino n.54, 53024 Montalcino | Larger groups (up to 50) | up to 50 people | Between €18-43 per person (depending on formula) | Yes – info@altesino.it |
Santa Giulia | Località Santa Giulia, 48, 53024 Torrenieri, Montalcino | Lunch paired with estate and wine cellar visit | 25 people | Between €15-80 euros per person (depending on formula) | Yes – info@santagiuliamontalcino.it |
Montalcino Trip Planning: If you are hoping to also visit the village of Montalcino, read more about what to do and see in Montalcino.
Siro Pacenti
Podere Pelagrilli, 53024 Montalcino
info@siropacenti.it
Siro Pacenti was one of the first Montalcino wineries I visited and despite several tours since, the experience has remained with me. Siro Pacenti was founded in 1970 By Siro Pacenti and is today managed by his son, Giancarlo, who is dedicated to preserving the tradition of local wine making with the addition of modern technology to maximize the winery’s potential.
Siro Pacenti is a small winery, spread across 28 hectares, producing only about 60,000 bottles of two types of Brunello di Montalcino and one Rosso di Montalcino.
The estate is set just outside of the village of Montalcino, offering sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards and the village from below. Their wine is exclusively aged in small French oak barrels.
What sets Siro Pacenti apart is their formula of dividing the land into various plots (19 total), allowing for the most control over every single blend they produce.
Get in touch with Barbara, Giancarlo’s right handwoman and book a winery tour complete with tasting. The experience is intimate and curated with attention to detail. You won’t feel rushed and will walk away with one of the most memorable Montalcino wine tour experiences you can have in all of Southern Tuscany.
Their tasting includes all three of their wines, including their two Brunello di Montalcino, and the Rosso di Montalcino.
Good To Know: Siro Pacenti is isolated and off the main road with a small yard in front of their offices. Children are welcome but I wouldn’t consider this Montalcino winery a particularly child-friendly estate because the tasting room is in a different building from the main office where the green grass area is.
Fuligni
Strada Provinciale del Brunello, 45 53024 Montalcino (SI)
info@fuligni.it
Fuligni, just down the road from Siro Pacenti, is a wonderful intimate Montalcino wine tour to take part in. The 100 hectare estate is beautifully well-kept, curated and always welcoming to passerbys looking to pick up a bottle of wine to bring home as a gift or souvenir.
Fuligni will be a similar experience to that of Siro Pacenti, offering intimate, curated wine tasting and tours for no more than six people on the property at the former convent Cottimelli. They do, however, offer the possibility to book a larger tour in another location, at Villa Giovanni at Semiti, just closeby.
Fuligni has a wider selection of wines, making two Brunello di Montalcino, a Rosso di Montalcino and their S.J. Tuscan IGT, a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. They also make a very good grappa.
Check out some of my other Favorite Food Souvenirs from Tuscany.
Fuligni does not ask for wine tours and tasting fees (on the property) but as in any Montalcino winery visit, it’s good etiquette to then purchase wine after they have been so gracious and generous with you.
Good To Know: Unfortunately, Fuligni doesn’t offer the same stunning panoramic view as at Siro Pacenti.
Email them directly to find out more in terms of exclusive, large visits at the Villa and intimate, small party experiences at the winery. Children are welcome.
Conti Costanti
Localita’ Colle Al Matrichese, 53024 Montalcino SI
info@costanti.it
Conti Costanti is a family run historic winery just outside the city center of Montalcino, specializing in Brunello di Montalcino. The winery offers a selection of tasting and tour options, with opportunities to host weddings, events, exclusive experiences and celebrations, all based on your needs and interests.
Conti Costanti is my top pick for visitors who really know a lot about wine and who are looking to dive deep into the world of Brunello. At the same time, they offer more affordable tasting options with a wide selection of their various red wines.
Good To Know: Costanti is considered one of the most famous and best wineries for Brunello di Montalcino.
Conti Costanti also has two apartments and a large private Renaissance villa available for rent with access to a private Italian garden, making it the ideal base point of visiting Montalcino for both families with kids and larger groups who wish to organize an exclusive experience.
Conti Costanti stood out to me because of their dedication to creating one-of-a-kind experiences. No matter your agenda, needs or interests, they can make it happen, including vegan or vegetarian meals and great cooking lessons.
Conti Costanti Montalcino Winery Visits And Tasting Formulas
Tour | Wines | Includes | Price |
1. Premium Experience | 2020 Rosso di Montalcino DOC, 2020 Vermiglio (Rosso di Montalcino DOC Special Selection), 2018 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, 2019 IGT Ardingo 100% Merlot, Grappa di Brunello, Grappa di Brunello Riserva | Wine cellar tour and wine tasting (served with grissini). | €50.00 per person |
2. Sangiovese Experience | 2020 Rosso di Montalcino DOC, 2020 Vermiglio (Rosso di Montalcino DOC Special Selection), 2018 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Grappa di Brunello, Grappa di Brunello Riserva | Wine cellar tour and wine tasting (served with grissini). | €150.00 per person |
3. Vertical Experience | Selection of 6 different vintages of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva | Wine cellar tour and wine tasting (served with grissini). | €500.00 per person |
Altesino
Località Altesino n.54, 53024 Montalcino SI
info@altesino.it
Altesino is one of the most famous and well-known Montalcino wineries that is well worth your time, especially if you are in a large group. Altestino Montalcino winery offers four different formulas for trying their various wines, all of which include a winery and estate tour.
Altesino is more “commercial”, but don’t let that put you off. They have grown over the decades because of their dedication and hard work, making their wines popular domestically and overseas.
My family came here after I was married over 10 years ago in Cetona as a post-wedding celebration. What better way than with wine tasting? We came in a large group, of about 20, and felt like it was the perfect number. Larger groups are split into two smaller groups to provide a better experience.
I recommend Altesino if you are here in Tuscany with a large group and are looking for one the best Brunello di Montalcino wineries to visit. If you come with around 20 people, they can seat you at a couple of different tables for more leisurely and curated tasting. Large groups of up to 50 guests will be formulated buffet style with the same wines to taste.
Good To Know: Altesino has a small yard for kids to play in and three apartments for rent as part of their estate, each for two people.
Altesino Montalcino Winery Visits And Tasting Formulas
Tour | Wines | Includes | Price |
1. Tour of the winery and tasting (3 wines) | Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, SuperTuscan IGT | Wine cellar tour and wine tasting (served with grissini). | €18.00 per person |
2. Tour of the winery and tasting (5 wines) | Bianco IGT, Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Cru Montosoli, Super Tuscan IGT | Wine cellar tour and wine tasting (served with grissini). | €28.00 per person |
3. Tour of the winery and tasting (3 wines) | Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Super Tuscan IGT | Wine cellar tour and wine tasting served with bruschetta with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, prosciutto, lombatella, pecorino cheese, and bread. | €33.00 per person |
4. Tour of the winery and tasting (5 wines) | Bianco IGT, Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Cru Montosoli, Super person Tuscan IGT | Wine cellar tour and wine tasting served with bruschetta with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, prosciutto, lombatella, pecorino cheese, and bread. | € 43.00 per person |
Santa Giulia
Località Santa Giulia, 48, 53024 Torrenieri, Montalcino SI
info@santagiuliamontalcino.it
Similar to Fuligni, Santa Giulia makes two Brunello di Montalcino (one riserva), a Rosso di Montalcino, a Tuscany IGT Merlot, and a grappa di Brunello. Santa Giulia produces only 30,000 bottles each year, guaranteeing quality over quantity. In addition, they also produce 1,000 bottles of extra virgin olive oil.
This beautiful and small estate, located a bit further out from the village of Montalcino is worth the drive. I recommend Santa Giulia for groups and families who want to also pair their winery visit and tasting with a full Tuscan lunch.
Santa Giulia is happy to accommodate large groups, up to 25 people, including children who they love to have as well (the family has four children themselves!). Cin cin!
Tip: If you aren’t up for a tasting or are just passing by, Santa Giulia welcomes guests to pop in and purchase their wines, olive oil and pasta without a reservation.
What stuck out to me most was Santa Giulia’s curated experience yet with several possibilities for tastings and lunches. Below, I have outlined their various tours and tastings.
Santa Giulia Montalcino Winery Visits And Tasting Formulas
Tour | Wines | Includes | Price |
1. Tasting | Brunello di Montalcino , Rosso di Montalcino, IGT Toscana Merlot | Wine tasting | €15.00 per person |
2. Tour and Tasting | Brunello di Montalcino , Rosso di Montalcino , IGT Toscana Merlot | Wine cellar tour and tasting with homemade cold cuts, pecorino cheese , bruschetta, vegetables | €30.00 per person |
3. Tour and Tasting with lunch | Brunello di Montalcino , Rosso di Montalcino, IGT Toscana Merlot | Wine cellar tour, wine tasting and ZERO KILOMETER LUNCH” with homemade pasta , homemade cold cuts, pecorino cheese , bruschetta , vegetables , dessert wine , Grappa di Brunello , coffee | €50.00 per person |
4. Tour and Tasting Menu with White Truffles (from November) | Brunello di Montalcino , Rosso di Montalcino , IGT Toscana Merlot | Wine cellar tour and tasting with homemade cold cuts, pecorino cheese , bruschetta with truffle, omelet with truffle, vegetables | € 60.00 per person |
5. Tour and Tasting Menu with White Truffles with lunch (from November) | Brunello di Montalcino , Rosso di Montalcino, IGT Toscana Merlot | Wine cellar tour, wine tasting and ZERO KILOMETER LUNCH” with homemade pasta with truffle , homemade cold cuts, pecorino cheese , bruschetta with truffle, vegetables , dessert wine, Grappa di Brunello , coffee | €80.00 per person |
Travelers Tip: Interested in when and how best to go wine tasting in Italy? Read Wine Tasting in Tuscany and Where to Drink Wine in Italy.
If you plan on visiting the village of Montalcino before or after your Montalcino winery tour, consider learning more about Things to Do in Montalcino and My Favorite Montalcino Restaurants.
Enjoy your visit to one of these Brunello wineries!