After dwelling within the middle of Rome for nearly 4 years, I’m an knowledgeable at avoiding crowds in Italy. When searching for wine excursions in Tuscany, I at all times select a relaxed route alongside beautiful backroads that ship all of the La Dolce Vita feels of Italian wine nation — whereas nonetheless avoiding the complications of overtourism.
Certainly one of my favourite locations to go to is the lesser-known wine area of Italy, Terre di Pisa. Nestled between Florence and Pisa, it’ll make you’re feeling like you might have Tuscany (virtually) to your self, even in excessive season. For those who’re searching for the place to remain in Tuscany, look no additional. Terre di Pisa is a vibrant area stuffed with genuine village life, Michelin-starred hilltop eating places, fabulous natural wineries, vine-draped rolling hills, historic borgos, and verdant woods teeming with black and white truffles.
Able to plan an epicurean wine-tasting journey in Terre di Pisa, alongside its much less traveled backroads? Right here’s all you have to find out about the place to sip, day journey, dine, and keep in one of many finest wine areas of Italy.
The place to Sip and Day Journey in This Wine Area of Italy
As a comparatively new DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controlata), Terre di Pisa isn’t beholden to just one traditional wine mix. Its vineyards supply an unimaginable number of vivid wines singing with salinity. For a few of the finest wines of Tuscany, strive the Terre di Pisa Bianco, Terre di Pisa Vermentino, Terre di Pisa Rosato, and a wide range of refined glowing wines alongside the best way.
San Miniato
A gourmand’s first cease alongside this Tuscan wine tour is San Miniato. An impossibly charming hilltop city, San Miniato is heralded for its elegant wines and white truffles. In reality, these are simply two of the various the reason why Florence and Pisa have fought over San Miniato for hundreds of years. Uncover its cobblestone streets, medieval sq., cathedral, spectacular tower, and infinity views of rolling hills lined in vineyards.
Whilst you’re there, make a cease at Pietro Beconcini vineyard. The house owners Leonardo and Eva personally greet and information every visitor by their natural winery, which is teeming with fossilized seashells within the soil underneath your ft. A lush forest borders the vineyards the place tartufaio (truffle hunter) Massimo Cucchiar and his canine Mela sniff out the fragrant delicacies. Get cozy within the tasting room and luxuriate in a day spent sampling truffles and wine. Leonardo pours a Terre di Pisa Sangiovese so elegant that it might even be paired with a plain white truffle.
In your second cease in San Miniato, go by Podere Pellicciano, a winery set on a historic natural farm. The winery focuses on Terre di Pisa monovarietals, together with Colorino, Trebbiano, and Malvasia Nera. From these bottles, you’ll be able to admire the purity of the grape because it expresses itself in a solo symphony.
Lastly, spherical out the day with dinner and a view. The elegant Pepenero options beautiful countryside views, a mouthwatering white truffle menu, and an in depth hyper-local wine cellar.
Terricciola
Within the historic Entruscan space of Terricciola, Azienda Agricola Castelvecchio vineyard gives an off-the-cuff tasting alfresco with seasonal native specialties. Ask for the restricted version Massima Felicità, a Terre di Pisa Roso with notes of liquorice and cassis.
For a contemporary twist, cease on the tasting room and cellar of Podere La Chiesa. Though it’s surrounded by million-year-old limestone, the constructing is a real up to date architectural masterpiece. Style their winery’s Opera in Crimson, a Terre di Pisa Sangiovese DOC that’s spherical and stylish with a silky mouthfeel. You’ll want to additionally examine Podera La Chiesa’s calendar prematurely for jazz live shows and trendy artwork exhibitions.
For those who’re searching for a extra hands-on expertise, strive vineyard and agriturismo scorching spot Fattoria di Fibbiano. With a farmhouse relationship again to the 1700s, the vineyard has an enormous profile of natural crimson, white, rose, and naturally fermented wines. Throughout harvest, visitors are invited to roll up their sleeves and choose grapes and olives and be part of the method.
Lastly, to find indigenous uncommon grape varietals, e-book a tasting on the beautiful patio on the Marina Romin vineyard. Don’t miss her candy dessert wine, Vin Santo del Chianti — it’s paradise within the mouth.
Lajatico
The birthplace of Andrea Bocelli, Lajatico is dwelling to the incomparable Teatro del Silenzio — an outside amphitheater that majestically appears to drift above the bottom and contact the sky. Its rotating sculpture backyard comes alive every summer time live performance season, greeting visitors from around the globe to expertise magical outside musical performances starring Andrea Bocelli and associates.
Peccoli
Winner of the distinguished “Borgo dei Borghi d’Italia 2024”, natural wine and artwork pair fantastically in Peccoli. An open air museum, your entire village and its environment are immersed in artwork. Go to the work of David Tremlett, who reworked your entire By way of di Mezzo in Ghizzano into a colourful up to date set up.
After you’ve had your fill of artwork for the day, swing by Tenuta di Ghizzano and tour its natural and biodynamic vineyards, ending with a tasting of Il Ghizzano Bianco I.G.T. Costa Toscana and scrumptious native Terre di Pisa wines.
Palaia
Usiglian del Vescovo is an under-the-radar, must-try vineyard that additionally focuses on spirits and grows medicinal herbs in an historic seabed terroir. For those who’re not a vermouth lover, you’ll shortly change into a convert — theirs could also be the most effective I’ve ever had. Fragrant herbs like artemisia, helichrysum, rosemary, and oregano are mixed with their pure natural wine to create this silky vermouth. Don’t neglect to style the excellent London Dry Gin, made with native Tuscan herbs that develop on the close by hills.
The place to Keep in Terre di Pisa
Borgo Pignano
A 750-acre Tuscan property and centuries-old villa, Borgo Pignano is a inexperienced luxurious lodge with 14 artfully adorned rooms and suites, in addition to two distinctive eating places. A saltwater infinity pool graces the villa with views of the woods, gardens, and neighboring hills. Strive yoga or horseback driving, good your bocce ball expertise, or just lounge by the pool.
Villa Cosmiana
Nestled on a small hill in Peccioli, the impeccably renovated Seventeenth-century, neoclassical Villa Cosmiana is surrounded by Italian gardens and 15 vineyards on 11 hectares. With 4 beautiful residences to select from, that is true luxurious agritourism at its best. No expense was spared within the renovation to convey it again to its former glory, together with partitions adorned with classical and up to date artwork.
Castelfalfi
A fantastically restored medieval borgo, Castelfalfi’s huge property gives a laundry record of promoting factors. From panoramic views to a fort, woods, a lake, 57 acres of natural vineyards, 9,000 olive bushes, mountain climbing trails, a spa, and a Twelfth-century church — the record is really infinite. Select to remain in both their boutique lodge, luxurious villas, or residences. And dine inside a thousand-year-old fort at La Rocca Castelfalfi, which incorporates a scrumptious plant-based tasting menu.
The best way to Get There and Get Round
Attending to Terre di Pisa is extremely handy. Fly into Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa, with simple connections from many European cities and serviced by 19 airways, together with British Airways and Lufthansa.
For those who’re already in Italy, the Pisa Centrale station is just 45 minutes from Florence through a high-speed prepare. I’d additionally suggest renting a automotive to discover Terre di Pisa’s backroads. Each the airport and prepare station have your selection of auto leases out there, from Price range to Alamo, and extra.
