(1) ART AND CULTURE
Cultural Tour »
Tour of the artisan workshops »
The Renaissance Palaces »
The secret treasures of
      Montepulciano: Il Monte Pio »

    (2) WINES »
Wine Tour »
Tour of the cellars in the
     historical centre »
Tour del Vinsanto »


    (3) CINEMA SETTINGS »
Montepulciano settings »
In Val d'Orcia »
Pienza and Sant'Anna in       Camprena » »


    (4) NATURE & WELLBEING »
The Montepulciano Spa »
Walking tour in the vineyards »
Tour by bicycle (3 itineraries) »


    (5) ACTIVITIES »
Cooking course »
"The more you taste, the more you learn" »


    (6) NEWS »
Reportage D.O.C.G. »
Course in Florentine Embroidery »
Montepulciano in Carrozza »


    (7) TYPICAL PRODUCTS »
The Slow Food Association tour (Montepulciano - Chiusi area) »
The tradition of "Cacio" Pecorino- Pecorino Cheese »
Oil Tour »
Tracking down truffles »




Requirements for booking tours
The tours can be booked at the Information Centre of Strada del Vino Nobile in Piazza Grande, Montepulciano, up to 11 o’clock the day of the tour.
You can also book by telephone on 0578/ 717484 during office hours, leaving your details of payment.
The booking will be confirmed only after payment has been received.


N.B! With a minimum number of participants tours can be organised, by request, on days other then those listed, as well as during the weekend.

For information and bookings
Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Piazza Grande 7 - 53045 Montepulciano (Si)
Tel. 0578/717484 Fax 0578/752749
www.stradavinonobile.it - info@stradavinonobile.it

Winter Hours
Monday / Friday: 10.00 am -1.00 pm 3.00 pm- 6.00 pm
Saturday: 10.00 am- 1.00 pm

Summer Hours
Monday / Saturday: 10.00 am- 1.00 pm 3.00 pm - 6.30 pm

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ART AND CULTURE

1.1 CULTURAL TOUR
Guided tour of the historical centre of Montepulciano: palaces of the nobles, churches, cellars carved into tuffa and military fortifications. A visit to the Civic Museum (closed on Monday).
Entrance to the Town Hall Tower (the highest panoramic point of the city) open only in summer.
o Duration: about 2 hours / Time of departure: 10.30am & 4.00pm / Price per person: over 4 persons price to be agreed - for 2 or 3 persons price to be agreed

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1.2 TOUR OF THE ARTISAN WORKSHOPS
A guided walk through the historical centre of Montepulciano with a visit to the artisan workshops of the city: the mosaic school, a coppersmith's or a goldsmith's workshop. And to finish a final wine tasting in a cellar: Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.
o Duration: about 2.5 hours / Time of departure: 10.30am & 4.00pm / Price per person: over 4 persons price to be agreed - for 2 or 3 persons price to be agreed

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1.3 THE RENAISSANCE PALACES
The tour provides a visit to the The Sala delle Feste (The Party Room) - frescos from 1702 by Andrea Pozzo (1642-1709) - in Palazzo Contucci, work of Antonio da Sangallo the Elder (1455-1534), still the home of the Contuccis, one of the oldest families of Montepulciano who commenced the cultivation of vines in the Renaissance. At the end of the tour there will be a tasting of their wines in the cellar of the Palace. The visit continues in the Palazzo Ricci, work of the architect Baldassarre Peruzzi. The restoration and its use was entrusted to the European Academy of Music and Art. It organises summer master classes for young musicians from all over the world with famous international teachers, concerts, exhibitions and other cultural events. On some dates it will be possible to be present at lessons or concerts. The lower floors of the Ricci Palace can be accessed where there is the majestic Cantina Redi, the work of Sangallo the Elder.
o Duration: about 2.5 hours / Time of departure: only the 1st and 3rd Thursday afternoon of each month at 3.30p.m. / Price per person:
from 5 to 9 persons price to be agreed
from 10 to 20 persons price to be agreed
from 20 to 40 persons price to be agreed

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1.4 THE SECRET TREASURES OF MONTEPULCIANO: - IL MONTE PIO
- San Girolamo Conservatory
A fascinating itinerary through the hidden history and art of Montepulciano where an antique aura is still preserved. Did you know that in Montepulciano a pawnshop was founded called Monte Pio, this predated today's Monte dei Paschi bank, and that in the Conservatory of S. Girolamo there exists a pharmacy from the 1500's? An expert will guide you through these unknown places.
The tour will finish with a wine tasting in a historical cellar of Montepulciano.
o Duration: about 2,5 hours / Time of departure: 10:00 am - or 3.00 pm / Price per person: min. 4 participants price to be agreed / N.B. The fee for an interpreter non included - price on request.

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WINES

2.1 WINE TOUR
Guided tour of two vineyards near Montepulciano with an explanation about wine making, a panoramic walk in a vineyard and a wine tasting in the cellars. Transfer by minibus.
In the winter there is no vineyard walk.
o Duration: around 3 hours
Time of departure: 10.00am & 3.00pm / Price per person: over 4 persons price to be agreed / Special tour: for 2 or 3 persons the tour is only to one cellar at price to be agreed (duration 1,5 hours)

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2.2 TOUR OF THE CELLARS IN THE HISTORICAL CENTRE
The thick underground network of cellars dug in the rock, where still today are stored the precious oak barrels with Vino Nobile, are the visible signs of the deep ties, that have for centuries, have existed between the city of Montepulciano and its wine.
The tour includes a guided tour to the cellars with a wine tasting to finish of Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.
o Duration: around 2,5 hours
Time of departure: 10.30am & 5.30pm / Price per person: over 4 persons price to be agreed - for 2 or 3 persons price to be agreed

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2.3 VINSANTO TOUR
A unique opportunity to see a "vinsantaia", the place where the precious Vinsanto di Montepulciano doc is aged in small oak barrels called "caratelli", for at least 3 years, or for 5 years for a reserve Vinsanto and for the rare variety of Vinsanto called "Occhio di pernice" (made with Prugnolo gentile grapes ) aged 8 years. The tour comprises a visit of a vineyard and a vinsantaia together with a tasting. Taxi transfer is included.
o Duration: around 2 hours Time of departure: 10:30 am / or 3:00 pm / Price per person: 2 to 3 persons price to be agreed - over 4 persons price to be agreed

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CINEMA SETTINGS

Every tour includes an initial screening of a short movie that shows scenes shot in the tour's settings. On returning to Montepulciano a film, set in one of the visited places, will be screened at the CANTINONEARTETEATRI - Piazza Savonarola 10/A - Montepulciano Tel. 0578 757758.

3.1 MONTEPULCIANO SETTINGS
A Walk to discover the cinema settings of the historical centre, where there is the Poliziano Theatre, the Redi Cellar, the San Francesco terrace and the Temple of San Biagio. Besides the splendid Piazza Grande. At the end of the historical visit a film will be shown that has been set in Montepulciano - for example "Forbidden Christ", "The Pleasant Nights", "Nostalghia", "The Arch-devil", "In the name of the Papal King", "A Walk in Time", "The English Patient", " Mid-summer Night's Dream", "Under the Tuscan Sun", "Strange History of a Sonour Band".
o Duration: 3 hours + time of film screening / Time of departure: 3.30pm / Price per person: min 4 persons price to be agreed

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3.2 IN VAL D'ORCIA
Tour by minibus from Montepulciano of the locations outside the gates: castles, country houses, tree-lined roads, small churches and monasteries in the countryside, jewelled hamlets and noble palaces which have seduced film directors and audiences the world over.
The itinerary cuts in two Valdorcia, passing Castelluccio della Foce and the Natural Reserve of Lucciolabella, where in 1950 were shot the introductory scenes of the Forbidden Christ by Curzio Malaparte, proceeding along the ancient Cassia Road to Bagno Vignoni, the thermal hamlet of Roman origins, chosen by the Russian Andrej Tarkowskij for Nostalghia, 1983, and by Carlo Verdone for the scene of a night bath in his Al lupo al lupo, 1993. Returning to Montepulciano via San Quirico d'Orcia. From the main road, it is possible from various points, to see the familiar parts of the landscape, for those who have watched, at least once, The Gladiator by Ridley Scott, 2002. Return for film screening.
o Duration: 3-hours + time of film screening / Time of departure: 3.30pm / Price per person: min 6 persons price to be agreed

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3.3 PIENZA AND SANT'ANNA IN CAMPRENA
The main part of the tour is by minibus to visit Pienza, 13 km from Montepulciano, declared a patrimony of Unesco in 1996.The city was constructed by Pope Pio II, in 1462, from a project by Rossellino, an apprentice of Leon Battista Alberti. Here the first example of urban planning was applied. The tour includes a visit to the nearby Monastery of S. Anna in Camprena, where Minghella shot many scenes of The English Patient (1996), exploiting the original settings and modifying them with reconstructions: in a fact you'll not find the little church that was turned into a library, that at the end of the film is destroyed by bombardament. Return in Montepulciano for film screening.
o Duration: 3 hours + film screening time
Time of departure: 3.30pm / Price per person: min 6 persons price to be agreed

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NATURE & WELLBEING

4.1 THE MONTEPULCIANO SPA
The following 2 proposals include a tasting in a wine bar of three wines as well as a sampling of bruschetta with extra virgin olive oil from Montepulciano, cheese and salami. Taxi service on request.
1/Well-being and relaxation:
an immersion in a thermal bath followed by a massage with essential oils. o Duration: about 2 hours for the thermal treatments + 1 hour for the wine&food tasting /Price per person: price to be agreed
2/ Face and Body Treatment
face+body massage with essential oils and a purifying and toning mask with mud and thermal waters. o Duration: about 2 hours for the thermal treatments + 1 hour for the wine&food tasting / Price per person: price to be agreed

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4.2 WALKING TOUR IN THE VINEYARDS
Wander through the vineyards of some of the estates where Prugnolo Gentile grapes grow - the local variety of Sangiovese - used to produce Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - included is a wine tasting and the return by taxi to Montepulciano.
ROUTE N° 1 / simple: 3 km
From the Piazza Grande following the panoramic streets through Porta dei Grassi to arrive at the Church of S. Biagio, an outstanding Renaissance church built by the architect Antonio da Sangallo. Near the church you'll find the country road of Via di Pescaia where you'll be immersed in 1km of vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards; then arriving at the main road you'll be at the wine cellar, where there the will be a tasting. o Duration: about 2 hours / Time of departure: 10:30 a.m. - or 4:30 p.m. / Price per person: for 2 to 3 persons price to be agreed/ 4 or more persons price to be agreed
ROUTE N° 2 /more difficult: 6 km
From the Piazza Grande following the panoramic streets through the Porta dei Grassi, arriving at the Church of S. Biagio, then follow Via dei Canneti until you reach the Via delle Colombelle; from here you'll be fully immersed in the gentle rolling hills with the Nobile vineyards, arriving at the base of Montefollonico you'll find the oratory of S. Anna in Via dei Colli. A taxi will transport you to the medieval village of Montefollonico where there will be a cellar tour and a wine tasting. o Duration: about 2 hours / Time of departure: 8.30 a.m. - or 3.00 p.m. / Price per person: for 2 to 3 persons price to be agreed / 4 or more persons price to be agreed

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4.3 TOUR BY BICYCLE (3 ITINERARIES)
o Itineraries 1 and 2 : Place of departure: Montepulciano Railway Station / Price per person: min. 3 persons price to be agreed. Special Tour for 2 persons price to be agreed (bicycle rental included)
1/ The Fila farm
Cycling alongside an environmental guide on a silent country road among the cultivated fields of tobacco, beetroot, vegetables and fruit, mulberry trees that fed silkworms which produced silk, along the road the superb farm structures constructed during the long reclamation of the valley. o Length: 30 km (2 hours) / Difficulty: Easy
2/ Lake Montepulciano and the Nobile vineyards
The Reserve of Lake Montepulciano, departure point, is an area in which there are present species of animals and vegetation of notable scientific interest. After an initial flat ride the road climbs up the first slope of the hills of Montepulciano, encircled by vineyards where Vino Nobile is grown. o Length: 30 km (2.5hours). / Difficulty: medium/easy
3/Montepulciano and Pienza
Itinerary through the Valdoricia and the towns of Monticchiello and Pienza, the monastery S.Anna in Camprena and then returning to Montepulciano through the countryside to the Temple of San Biagio.
o Length: 25 km (2.5hours) or 40 km (whole day) / Difficulty: hard (for experienced cyclists) / Price per person: min. 3 persons price to be agreed (tour 25 km) or price to be agreed (tour 40km) - plus price to be agreed for bike rental.

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ACTIVITIES

5.1 COOKING COURSE
A course to learn how to make traditional menu. Together with the cook learning to "appiciare" (making pici: the typical pasta of this area); followed by a lunch that includes the dishes prepared during the lesson, accompanied by Montepulciano wines.
o Duration: about 2 hours (excluding the meal time) / Lesson time: 9.00am & 4.00pm / Price per person: price to be agreed Minimum of participants: 2 / Maximum of participants: 10

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5.2 "THE MORE YOU TASTE, THE MORE YOU LEARN":
Tasting courses in 2 lessons
1/ Wine tasting course
A brief course on approaching wine for enjoyment or simply for curiosity.
The course consists of 2 lessons about the production of wine, tasting techniques and matching food and wine, with particular attention to the wines of the area. The lessons include a guided tasting of the wines produced by the associates of the Strada del Vino Nobile.
o Duration: about 4 hours (2 lessons)
/ Price per person (min. 2 persons): 1 lesson price to be agreed - 2 lessons price to be agreed
2/Oil tasting course
An afternoon dedicated to investigating the production, tasting techniques and the organoleptic characteristics of extra-virgin olive oil. Included is a guided tasting of extra virgin oils produced by the wine makers associated with the Strada del Vino Nobile. o Duration: about 2 hours (1 lesson) / Price per person (min. 2 persons): price to be agreed

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NEWS

6.1 REPORTAGE D.O.C.G.
Tour/Course of Photography in Montepulciano and its surroundings.
If you would like to return from your holiday with images of the most beautiful places, and you have a camera that can be used manually, then this is the tour that is made for you! A professional photographer will be your special guide, who will suggest the best views and the most "photogenic" parts of the city and countryside, and who will introduce you step by step to the ideas of photographic techniques necessary to realize your reportage. In the following three proposed tours, there are planned visits to the celebrated cellars of Montepulciano to taste the wine and also to photograph the magic of the many hidden places where Vino Nobile was born.
1. Tour 4 hours/historical centre
Tour of the historical centre with a stop in a cantina and a visit to the Tempio di San Biagio. Photographing in the cellar, in the city and the panorama.
o Duration: above 4 hours / 8.30am-finish 12.30pm /Min. 2 persons /Price per person: Up to 3 persons price to be agreed -more than 4 persons price to be agreed 2. Tour 4 hours/ountry side
Tour of Montepulciano and surrounds in an 8 seater minibus with a stop in a vineyard to taste Vino Nobile of Montepulciano.Photographing in the cellar and the vineyard.
o Duration: above 4 hours / 8.30am-finish 12.30pm /Min. 4 persons - Max 8 persons /Price per person: 4-5 persons price to be agreed / 6-8 persons price to be agreed 3. Tour entire day/historical centre and countryside
Programme: Starting with a visit of the historical centre; 1.30pm lunch break in wine bar or restaurant in the historical centre (included in tour price) 2.30pm depart in minibus for a visit of the Tempio di San Biagio.3.30pm depart for Montefollonico, and visit of the medieval centre. 5.00pm departure for return, passing along the panoramic road, from which the splendid views of Montepulciano and the surrounding countryside can be admired. o Duration: above 8 hours / start 10.00am - finish 6.00pm /Partecipants: Min. 4 - Max 8 /Price per person: 4-5 persons price to be agreed / 6-8 persons price to be agreed

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6.2 COURSE IN FLORENTINE EMBROIDERY
Discover a fascinating antique art that is still conserved intact. Enjoy the magic of creating stitch after stitch, all that imagination can provide through embroidery. Beginners Course: knowing and utilizing the instruments for needlepoint, basic stitches (stem stitch, chain stitch etc.). Advanced course: for those who already have some knowledge of embroidery (festoon filling stitch, stain stitch, palestrina stitch).
o Duration: above 2 hours / Recommended course: 2 lessons / Price per lesson per person (Partecipants: Min. 2): for 2-3 persons price to be agreed / for a group of 4 persons or more price to be agreed.
N.B.: the price includes the materials necessary for the lessons (material, embroidery thread etc.).

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6.3 TOUR BY CARRIAGE
(Only on request)
An unusual tour in the 1876 covered carriage, "Milord" drawn by Brava, a bay trotting horse, or in an ancient style "Vagonet" carriage, drawn by Mondeo, a draught horse of Polish origin.
o Info on request.

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TYPICAL PRODUCTS

7.1 THE SLOW FOOD ASSOCIATION TOUR (MONTEPULCIANO - CHIUSI AREA)
o (Condotta Montepulciano - Chiusi)
"Chi mangia e beve sano arriva lontano…"
(who eats and drinks healthily lives longer) Tour guided by the Slow Food Association for food and wine lovers to discover the typical products of the area. A whole day dedicated to food and wine connoisseurship wandering around the Val di Chiana and the Val d'Orcia: a tasting in a cheese factory and a tasting of typical cured meats from the area. A hand made "pici" tasting and a visit to a wine cellar with a tasting of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. o Duration: above 6 hours
Starting time: 11.00am / Price per person: from 2 to 3 persons price to be agreed, 4 or more persons price to be agreed / N.B.: Interpreter on request / taxi service not included.

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7.2 THE TRADITION OF "CACIO" PECORINO-PECORINO CHEESE
Guided visit - with transport in a minibus - to a cheese factory where the famous "cacio pecorino" is made. Tasting of three types of cheese made by an expert, in the traditional production manner; accompanied by a video showing the phases of manufacturing. The tour concludes in a wine cellar in Montepulciano's historical centre, where it will be possible to taste Vino Nobile as well see the ideal combinations of the vine products of Montepulciano and our "cacio".
o Duration: above 2,5 hours / Time of departure: Morning at 10am - Afternoon at 3pm / Price per person: Min. 4 persons price to be agreed

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7.3 OIL TOUR
Guided tour in an olive press in the area, to see the various phases of the pressing (washing, crushing, separation, extraction), and the way this precious condiment, that is the base of Mediterranean food, is produced.
The Olive Press operates from mid October to mid January. A guided tour in a winery, which produces both wine and oil; a panoramic walk in the olive grove and a wine and oil tasting.
In the winter time there is no walk in the olive grove.
Transfer by minibus.
o Duration: around 3 hours
Time of departure: 10.00 am & 3.00 pm / Price per person: over 4 persons price to be agreed

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7.4 TRACKING DOWN TRUFFLES
January/April: truffle marzuolo or bianchetto in a private pine wood; June/September: the black truffle, called "scorzone", in a private black-pine or oak wood; October /December: the "king of truffles", the prestigious white truffle in a private wood of white poplars and oaks.The real protagonist is the dog with its amazing sense of smell. At the end a gift from the guide.
o Duration: about 2 hours / Starting time: 6.00 pm summer - 11.00am winter
Price per person: price to be agreed / Taxi service on request. / N.B. it is necessary to have boots and an anorak.

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