The area of Valdelsa, is not only in the middle between some of the most important touristic destination in Tuscany, but is also the heart of a well-kept territory that is also synonymous of production of Chianti wine, Holy wine, Olive oil, Saffron, products that make this land so rich of food and wine delicacies famous all around the world.

Take a drive in the "Wine routes", it means go through the soul of this land, admiring the typical Tuscan landscape, stop in the wineries to taste some precious wine, meeting on the way churches, castles, farms, medieval villages and their historic and srt treasures. It’s an unforgettable and unique walk. Stay in Palazzo San Lorenzo in Colle Val D’Elsa it also means have within striking distance five of the most important "Wine routes" in Tuscany:

• Wine route Chianti Colli Senesi
• Wine route Vino Chianti Classico
• Wine route Vernaccia di San Gimignano
• Wine route Nobile di Montepulciano
• Wine route Brunello di Montalcino

WINE ROUTE CHIANTI COLLI SENESI

The most attractive itinerary for discoverinh the Chianti is the one that takes place in the Colli Senesi, that are one of the biggest wine area and one of the most productive. The itinerary starts from the estates of Colle Val d’Elsa and Sovicille, where are produced the DOC Colli dell’Etruria Centrale, Val d’Arbia, Vinsanto del Chianti. Keep going in the direction of Siena, town where is set the Enoteca Italiana inside the Fortress Medicea, to reach the area of production of DOCG Chianti Colli Senesi: then Rapolano Terme, and Monteroni d’Arbia, and finally Murlo.

WINE ROUTE CHIANTI CLASSICO

The production of Chianti Classico, nowadays known as the oldest and most esteemed in the country, is situated in the rolling hill area between Florence and Siena and is characterized for the presence, on the bottleneck, of the famous Gallo Nero (symbol of the ancient Military company of Chianti). The itinerary starts from the town of Poggibonsi, where, in Gaggiano, are situated the Cantine Melini, the most ancient in the all Chianti area, built in 1705. In a short time is possible to reach Castellina in Chianti, to then get into the heart of Chianti Classico finding on the way Radda in Chianti and Gaiole in Chianti, towns known for the numerous wineries and farms, making them some of the most attractive wine destinations.

WINE ROUTE VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO

The itinerary is in the town of San Gimignano, medieval village of incredibile beauty known as the "Town of the Towers" (nowadays you can admire 14 of the original 72) symbol of the ancient commercial richness. The "Vernaccia" produced in San Gimignano from the 14th Century, represents the maximum expression of the white wine in a region where the biggest part of the wine produced is red. Numerous are the wineries and the farms that offer wine tastings, discovering the products of this rich land. The town, i salso a big producer of extra-virgin olive oil and saffran, one of the eldest products of the area.

WINE ITINERARY OF NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO

The itinerary takes place in the area of Montepulciano, situated in the rolling hills of Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana. The "Nobile di Montepulciano" is a DOCG wine, the first one to be named as a guaranteed mark in Italy, that is produced in the city with the same name, and iso ne of the most known wine around the world. In the town takes place in August, to celebrate its wine, a characteristic happening called "Bravio delle Botti" where the aim of the game is pushing a 800 kilograms barrel on the main road of the town.

WINE ITINERARY OF BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO

The itinerary is in the surrounding of the town of Montalcino, homeland of the "Brunello" known as the best and most famous italian wine, situated in a setting of an incomparable beauty. The town is the site of the Istituto Europeo Vitivinicolo and of the Wine Exposition Centre. Numerous are the winery and farms to visit, among which Biondi-Santi and Banfi, now italo-american societies and two of the most modern business in Montalcino.