Pienza is a small village located in the Orcia Valley which until shortly after the middle of the 1400s was called Corsignano and that gave birth to the character that more than others has made it famous by changing its name, face and notoriety: Aeneas Piccolomini which became Pope Pius II that with a new architecture transformed the ancient village in 'Ideal Renaissance City' transforming it into the current Pienza. The surrounding area, famous for its beautiful landscapes typical of the Val d'Orcia Natural Park and also made famous by recent films including 'the Gladiator' It is rich in pastures for sheep and farmhouses that produce cheese. The pecorino cheese of Pienza is in fact one of the gastronomic specialties of this area.
Montepulciano rises on a hill over 600 meters above sea level and is only 15 minutes away from Pienza. The drawing with the circle of walls highlights the typical village medieval of the 1300s although the origins of Montepulciano date back to the period etruscan and the discovery of findings suggest that its existence dates back even between the IX e III century b.c.
With a view to east towards theUmbria (it is easy from here to see the Lake Trasimeno but also Cortona) and to west towards Montalcino and the whole Orcia Valley that is explained between the two cities, Montepulciano branches off into small streets (all uphill if you start from the bottom and all downhill if you start from the top - Piazza Grande) where you can find, in addition to nice restaurants, stores and historic buildings, the famous Wineries of Noble Wine (Montepulciano is perhaps the only example in Italy where wine cellars in the city can be visited and tasted). The area around Montepulciano is also rich in wineries located in one of the most favorable territories for the cultivation of grape Sangiovese which is better known here as Blackthorn and which for centuries has produced the Noble Wine of Montepulciano among the most ancient wines ofItaly.
The Cheese and Wine Tour of Pienza e Montepulciano foresees the departure from Florence at 9am and a return between 6 and 7pm. The total duration, including transportation, is approx. 9/10 hours. There will be a stop for wine tasting at one or more wineries (combined with lunch if you want at one of the two) and a visit to the following wineries Montepulciano and (optional) Pienza. Upon request, the visit of both can also be done with a local Authorized Guide (with an extra cost, always book it with us).
