7 Incredible Destinations in Italy for Wine Lovers

As a self-proclaimed wine lover and traveler, Italy is one of my all-time favorite destinations for so many reasons! Spoiler: The diverse and beautiful Italy wine regions ranks number one! However, I also love Italy for its…

✓ Delicious food— pasta, pizza, risotto! I love anything with carbs and Italy does it best

✓ Gorgeous scenery. There are stunning views of vineyards, the coast, old villages at just about every corner in this country.

✓ Rich history. From the Vatican to the old canals in Venice, Italy has aged well and continues to get more beautiful.

& (of course!)

✓ Incredible & world famous wine! Italy is actually the top producer of wine in the world, and there’s a reason for it! Their wine is delicious and also very diverse.

There are so many reasons to book your next trip to Italy! Here, I am going to talk about 7 of the best wine regions in Italy that YOU should plan for your next trip, and they all rhyme with wine (…not really, but you get the point!)

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The Best Italy Wine Regions

It no particular order, here are my favorite wine destinations Italy. From the famous Tuscany region to the underrated Piedmont region, you are going to want to add all of these Italy wine regions to your bucket list!

1. Piedmont

Piedmont (or Piemonte as the Italian’s call it) is an expansive area in the Northwest corner of Italy. It is the second largest region in Italy with 107,500 acres of vineyards in 2022 covering the gorgeous countryside. The primary grape varietals from this region are Barbera (31%), Moscato (22%), Dolcetto (13%), and Nebbiolo (10%), making this the perfect wine destination for anyone no matter what your taste in wine is!

Getting there

There are several airports that you can fly into for your Piedmont vacation! The closest airport is Turin (TRN), but this is a smaller airport with less options for international flights. Other options include Milan Malpensa (MPX), Milan Linate (LIN), and Nice (NCE). You can choose which airport you are planning to fly into depending on where you are staying within the region of Piedmont.

Additionally, if you are planning on traveling to many regions within Italy, you could easily take the train to Piedmont. Italy’s train system is extremely well connected, making it fast and easy to get from destination to destination without a car.

Wineries

Piedmont is a massive region with hundreds of wineries to choose from. I suggest looking into wineries that are experts in your favorite grape varietal. Here are a few superb wineries worth mentioning that are famous in the region.

1. Antiche Cantine Marchesi di Barolo – as the name implies, this is an incredible winery located in Barolo that produces world class Barolo and Barbera d’Alba.
2. La Raia – located in the Gavi Hills, this winery not only has striking architecture, it also is eco-friendly and biodynamic, making this wine oh so much easier to enjoy.
3. La Spinetta – for anyone looking for a luxury experience, look no further than La Spinetta! This winery produces world class Moscato, Barolo and Baberaesca. Tastings are offered at their gorgeous estate by request.

2. Bolgheri

Bolgheri is an Italian village located on the western coast of central Italy. It is part of the region of Tuscany, and has made a name for being home to two of the most famous Super Tuscans – Sassicaia and Ornellaia! This quaint village also offers stunning views of the Italian coastline and world class Italian cuisine. For this reason, this destination is at the top of my list for places to visit in Italy.

Getting there

This coastal village is easiest to reach by car after landing in one the nearby airports. The closest airports to Bolgheri include Pisa (PSA), Florence (FLR), and Siena (SAY).

Wineries

Bolgheri has a lot of incredible wineries to taste at no matter what your taste in wine is! Here are a few outstanding wineries that you absolutely should visit if you find yourself in Bolgheri.

1. Tenuta San Guido – although there are no “wine tastings” offered at the winery, you can taste their famous Sassicaia by the glass and other famous wines at the restaurant located on their property.
2. Ornellaia – producer of one of the five original Super Tuscans, this winery is not only stunning but also very luxurious, making it a top travel destination for anyone who enjoys wine.
3. Batzella – this quaint winery produces outstanding wine that hold up to other well-known wine from the area. The owners are known for their incredible hospitality, making this winery worth a visit.

3. Montalcino

Montalcino is a quaint village in central Italy located in the province of Siena. This is a dream destination for any wine lover because it is home to the renowned Italian varietal – Brunello di Montalcino.

This wine dates back to the 1870’s and has become a rare and sought after Italian wine due to its barrel aging process that allows it to be enjoyed even 30-40 years after the bottle’s vintage year. The town of Montalcino is the perfect destination to explore famous wineries that have perfected the production of Brunello di Montalcino.

Getting there

To get to Montalcino, fly into one of the nearby airports, such as Florence (FLR), Siena (SAY) or Rome (FCO). From there, you could rent a car or take the train to get to this Italian village. The best way to navigate any wine trip in Tuscany is by car (whether through renting or personal driver) and I recommend this for being able to reach more wineries!

Wineries

Montalcino is best known for its iconic Brunello di Montalcino, which is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes and aged for 5 years in the barrel. Here is a list of three gorgeous wineries that produce some of the most famous Brunello di Montelcino wines worldwide!

1. Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona – this winery specializes in very prestigious Brunello di Montalcino and is located in a gorgeous setting with rolling hills! An absolute must see while in Montalcino.
2. Castiglion Del Bosco – this winery has history dating back to the 1100s and was a pioneer for the growth of Brunello di Montalcino. It is a fabulous winery with wines that are luxurious and bold.
3. Altesino – Altesino produces very well-known and renowned Brunello di Montalcino each year! Their wine is found all over the globe– and for a good reason! It’s absolutely delicious.

4. Montepulciano

Continuing in the region of Tuscany, Montepulciano is another medieval town that as gorgeous as it is fun to say (said with a strong Italian accent and the Italian hand gesture, of course!) Montepulciano is made famous by its namesake, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. This town is located in very close proximity to Montalcino, making it the perfect destination for any wine lover looking to explore what the region has to offer all in one trip!

Getting there

Similarly to Montalcino, getting to Montepulciano would be easiest by car after landing at one of the major airports in the area! The major airports to fly into includes Florence (FLR), Siena (SAY) or Rome (FCO).

Wineries

There are wineries both in the city itself and in the surrounding area, making this an easy place to enjoy a variety of winery experiences! Here are some of the most highly rated wineries around this wine region.

1. Icario Winery – this winery is located on a beautiful vineyard with a range of Montepulciano’s that you can taste!
2. De’ Ricci – an incredible winery located within the medieval city itself. This winery has incredible caves that you can visit and delightful wine!
3. Poliziano – another gorgeous winery located on a vineyard with a scenic view. Their wine is also delicious and sure to quench your thirst on a beautiful summer day.

5. San Gimignano

Rounding out the list of must-see places in the wine region of Tuscany, we have the old, yet iconic medieval village of San Gimignano.

This photogenic town is known as the Town of Fine Towers, and I can see why! Located in the heart of Tuscany, this is a destination that everyone in the region of Tuscany should see. Inside the walls of the town you can find delicious food, gelato, and delicious Chianti Classico! It’s central location also makes it easy for any wine lover to visit nearby wineries.

Getting there

To get to San Gimignano, fly into one of the nearby airports, Siena (SAY) or Florence (FLR). From there you can take a taxi or car to get to San Gimignano, or take a high speed train if you are not planning to drive!

Wineries

There are hundreds of wineries in the surrounding area of San Gimignano that it is hard to choose just a few! Here are some of the most recommended wineries located in this region.

1. Fattoria Il Piano – a gorgeous winery with spectacular views of San Gimignano. The winemaker is extremely knowledgeable and kind. This winery also has a bed & breakfast if you are looking for a place to stay.
2. Castello di Topaia – this world famous winery boosts a 97 point Chianti Classico that is recommended for all wine lovers to try!
3. Tenuta di Bibbiano – another winery that has perfected Chianti Classico and is absolutely gorgeous! Highly recommended and only a short trip from San Gimignano.

6. Veneto

Veneto is another popular region in Italy that is home to Venice, one of the best places to visit in Italy, which is better known for its winding canals and picturesque architecture. Although Venice sees 2-3 million tourists a year, most of those people don’t make it out to the country for wine tasting. With the region being located in the Northeast corner of Italy, this region sees climates consisting of warm summers and strong winters which allows growth varietals such as Glera, Gargenega, and Corvina Veronese.

Getting there

Traveling by car to the wine region is most likely the easiest and most flexible means of transportation. A lot of travelers choose to rent a car or hire a personal driver prior to making their way out to wine country. The closest airports to fly into include Venice (VCE) and Verona (VRN)!

Other options for travelers not renting a car include taxi/ride-share, train, and bus. If you are planning to use public transportation to get to wineries, you should plan to visit wineries located near major bus or train stations. There are many wineries located near Venice that are easily accessible by public transportation!

Wineries

The expansive region of Veneto has hundreds of wineries with a unique terroir and atmosphere. Here are some of the best that you should visit while in the gorgeous Veneto countryside!

1. Zyme – this winery has one of a kind architecture that will stun you almost as much as their wine! Located in Valpolicella, this winery has incredible red wines with depth.
2. La Tordera – a scenic vineyard located in the heart of Prosecco hills. This is a must see vineyard with fantastic Prosecco!
3. Cantina Bernardi Giovanni – this winery is located within driving range of Venice, one of the most common destinations in Veneto. It is located on a beautiful vineyard and has a delicious selection of wine.

7. Sicily

Last but not least, Sicily is an island of Italy and its most unique region, offering diverse terroir for incredible wine from several native varietals.

Ranging from volcanic soil near Mount Etna to the coastal climate, this region has a lot to offer! Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola and Carricante are just a few of the common grapes that grow on this island that produce phenomenal wine! With such diverse soil comes incredible wineries in Sicily, many of which having been established for hundreds of years!

Many visitors will spend one week in Sicily, as this is the perfect amount of time to get acquainted and have enough time to visit the major attractions and several wineries!

Getting there

There are many ways to get to the island of Sicily! Four airports are located on the island, Aeroporto di Catania (CTA), Aeroporto di Palermo (PMO), Trapani–Birgi Airport (TPA) and Aeroporto di Comiso (CIY). The two major ports that are accessible by ferry are Palermo and Trapani.

Wineries

1. Gambino Winery – located near Mount Etna, this winery not only has stunning views but also has delicious and affordable wine! It is a family owned winery with a rich history.
2. Cantina Alessandro di Camporeale – this winery is located near Palermo, making it easy to get to from the major cities in Sicily! They have delicious wines to offer and great hospitality.
3. Plantena – this winery has 5 different territories, with the most famous being in Menft, Sicily. They have a fabulous selection of both red and white wine, making this an incredible stop for any wine lovers!

Best Wine Regions of Italy Recap

Italy is the absolute dream destination for any wine lover! These 7 destinations are the perfect starting point to building an incredible itinerary for a vacation in Italy’s countryside.

There are so many phenomenal places to visit- I think I could spend an entire year here and never run out of things to do! For more tips on wine tasting, check out this post about wine tasting on a budget if you are looking to taste wine without having to break the bank!

Where is your favorite destination in Italy? Let me know in the comments below!