How to Arrange Private Tuscany Wine Tours from Cortona

Cortona is a tiny but beautiful hilltop own in central Tuscany. It has narrow well preserved medieval streets, lots of small artisanal shops, and stunning views over the Chiana Valley. It was made even more famous some years ago as the location for the film Under the Tuscan Sun. Being a little less touristy, it’s a town well worth considering if peaceful less crowded locations are your thing.

The View From Cortona

However, reduced tourism means it’s difficult to find driver services. Consequently, private Tuscany wine tours from Cortona could be a little harder to arrange. But all is not lost.

Here is my suggestion on how to ensure your time in Tuscany will include a visit to the beautiful Chianti countryside and the tasting of the region’s most famous wines. The suggestion is also good if you wish to visit Florence. In the train search listed below, just substitute the town of Montevarchi with Florence.

If as I hope, you’d like to take your private Tuscany wine tours with me, here’s how to go about it.

Firstly, you will need to take a short taxi ride to Camucia (the rail station the serves Cortona). This can easily be arranged with the staff of your accommodation, as they’re doing it all the time. Then you can catch one of the many trains going to Montevarchi. It’s only a 42 minute journey through some pretty countryside.

On the current timetable, there’s a convenient train from Camucia at 08:17am, arriving in Montevarchi at 08:59. You could then book the return for 16:52.

You can look up the TrenItalia Rail Site Here.

Here’ how to do the search.

1. From: Camucia – Cortona.
2. To: Montevarchi – Terranuova
3. Activate the RETURN button
4. Set departure time to 08:00 and return time to 16:00
5. Click SEARCH
6. Select the 08:17 train
7. Select your preferred pricing option
8. Click on GO TO RETURN JOURNEY
9. Select your return train for 16:52
10. Click on CONTINUE to fill in payment details

Private Tuscany wine tours from Cortona Details

The tour is strictly private (the minivan will be for yourselves only) with stops for photos and sightseeing. You will enjoy relaxed seated wine tastings, and while tasting rooms may have other guests, they will not be crowded. Quoted prices include wine tastings, light lunch and all travel fees.

Pick up is directly from Montevarchi rail station.

The tour is inclusive of:
* Pickup & drop off directly from your accommodation.
* Scenic tour of the Tuscan countryside with stops for photos.
* Guidance & commentary on Chianti wines
* Winery tour at leading estate, and sit down tasting of Chianti, Chianti Reserve, Super Tuscan & olive oil.
* Second tour of a small family winery with sit down tasting of Chianti, Chianti Reserve, Super Tuscan & olive oil.
* Two course Tuscan light lunch.
* Recent model spacious private minivan with AC.

You can book your tour or ask for further details here

Our Spacious Tour Vans

Tips on other places to visit from Cortona

Cortona’s central location opens possibilities for visiting some of Tuscany’s smaller towns where where there is less tourism, but no shortage of beauty and elements of interest.

Places in easy commuting distance from Cortona by car

Lake Trasimeno & Castiglion del Lago (this a must see while in Cortona)
27km – 30 minutes GPS: 43.1269, 12.0577

Lake Trasimeno, which though very close to Cortona is in the region of Umbrai and not Tuscany. The lake has an area of 49 sq miles and is the fourth biggest lake in Italy. It’s famous for the Battle of Lake Trasimeno, which was fought along its sides in 217 B.C. and saw the victory of the Punic army led by Hannibal over the roman army led by consul Gaius Flaminius.

The fish stock of this lake is very rich. The main species are: pike, carp, trench, chubs, eels & perches. There are three islands in the lake: Polvese, Maggiore and Minore.

Above all, it’s very pretty, so I strongly suggest you take a long relaxing walk along its shores.

Anghiari
55 km – 50 min – GPS: 43.5410, 12.0511
A beautiful medieval village situated on a hill between the Sovara river and the Tiber valley.

At the heart of its historic center you can see Palazzo Taglieschi, seat of the State Museum where valuable works of art are preserved, including a still working table organ dating back to the 16th century).

Don’t miss the chance to attend the traditional Market and Exhibition of Handicrafts and of Tuscan Tiber Valley.

is also famous for the “Battle of Anghiari”. It took place on the 29th of June 1449, on the plains to the east of the town. The Duchy of Milan, ruled by the Visconti, fought against a coalition led by Florence that included the Papal State and Venice. There is a famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci also called the Battle of Anghiari, based on the event.

Pienza
40 km – 50 min – GPS: 43.0772, 11.6791

is a tiny jewel of the Renaissance. It owes much of its beautiful architecture to Pope Pius II who, between 1459 and 1462, called the architect Bernardo Rossellino, to transform his hometown into a marvelous Renaissance town. He had most of the town demolished then rebuilt, and it’s considered one of the very first examples of modern urban planning. It’s a unique example of tidy and rational architecture of the 15th century with incredible views onto the landscapes of Val d’Orcia.

Pienza is famous for its production of sheep cheese produced in the countryside of the Val d’Orcia amid its ravines and its rolling hills, the so-called “Crete”, and seasoned in a variety of different flavors ranging from walnut leaves and vinasse to pit seasoning.

Then you must, and really mean must, take the drive from Pienza to Montalcino. It’s about a 30 minute drive, but you’ll need more because I’m sure you want to take in the stunning scenery. Along the route you will come across some of Tuscany’s most famous landmarks. Here are the co-ordinates for the iconic photo of the circle of Cypress trees. 43.0639, 11.5598

Montalcino
65 km – 1 hour and 10 min- GPS: 43.0552, 11.4889

Another tiny but very interesting town perched on a hill with its imposing fortress of the 14th century. The amazing views over the Orcia Valley are not to be missed as are the Town Hall, the Cathedral and the churches of S. Agostino, S. Egidio and S. Francesco. In the Archaeological Museum you will find interesting prehistoric and Etruscan finds.

Montalcino is, above all, the home to one of Italy’s and Tuscany’s most prestigious red wines, namely, Brunello di Montalcino. It is made from pure Sangiovese grapes and has a minimum ageing period of five years before it can be put on sale. However, it’s at its best after ten years or more.

We can also arrange private Tuscany wine tours from Cortona to Montalcino. See here.

Sant’Antimo Abbey
Suggested on the same day as Montalcino GPS: 42.9996, 11.5154

About fifteen minutes from Montalcino is the Romanesque abbey of Sant’Antimo, where you can attend the daily services and listen to the monks singing Gregorian Chants. If relaxing in peaceful stunningly beautiful surroundings is your thing, then Sant’Antimo just can’t be missed. You can look up the abbey’s site here  (only in Italian) where you’ll also find the times of services for the Gregorian chants.

Private Wine Tours from Florence

Finally, I also do Private Wine Tours from Florence. So, if you’ll also be spending some time in the world’s cultural capital, please look me up. It would be much easier to do a wine tour from Florence than Cortona, as I can pick you up directly from your accommodation. Here’s a suggestion.